Page 53 - OHS, May 2022

Respiratory protection is a critical part of keeping the welder safe from potential overexposures when conducting welding, or its allied processes.
While cost, fifilter life and comfort are self-explanatory, fifit test requirements and welding specific features are a regulatory workplace requirement.
Once safety needs are met, welding-specific features are often what drives the final product selection and purchase decision. For PAPRs, optic quality is often a critical feature. The auto- darkening lens for welding will have an optical clarity rating per EN 379 standards. This standard measures the lens’ blurriness, distortion, shade consistency and shade performance at an angle. The highest or best optical clarity rating is 1/1/1/1 while the worst
is 3/3/3/3. For Half Mask respirators, the physical size of the product and the fifilter design are critical. ThThe physical size must fifit underneath your operator’s welding helmet. While simple in theory, many products will not pass this step of the evaluation. Once you fifind products that will fifit, then you should consider the filter design. Recommended filters for welding include those that are enclosed with a protective nylon housing, which will shield the filter media from the spatter and sparks that may be generated by metal fabrication.
Respiratory protection is a critical part of keeping the welder safe from potential overexposures when conducting welding, or its allied processes. When welders utilize the correct type of respirator with the appropriate level of protection, the work can be done safely and efficiently—and with greater comfort. After all, protecting the health and well-being of workers is priority one.
Lincoln Electric is a leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, automated joining, assembly and cutting systems, plasma and oxy-fuel cutting equipment and has a leading position in brazing and soldering alloys.
REFERENCE
1. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/pt84abs2.html
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MAY 2022 | Occupational Health &3S/2a4f/e22ty 2:03 P4M9
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