OCM4 - Respiratory protective equipment (RPE)

Health and Safety Executive

OCM Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) Offshore COSHH Control approach 4 essentials Special advice

This information will help offshore What this sheet covers dutyholders (owners, operators and This sheet describes good practice for selecting respiratory protective contractors) to comply with the Control equipment (RPE). of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), as amended, to When to use RPE protect workers’ health. 3 RPE is not a substitute for engineering controls. It is uncomfortable to use, expensive in the longer run, and always fails to danger. However, This guidance consolidates good control some processes need RPE, eg: practice and reinforces existing knowledge n installing engineering control;

with additional information. It will help n clearing up a spillage;

you carry out COSHH assessments, review n maintenance;

existing assessments, deliver training n emergencies;

and in supervising activities involving n cleaning, eg pressure washing;

substances hazardous to health. n a short-term one-off procedure; and

n whenever required for safe working.

It is aimed at staff whose responsibilities include the management of substances Managing RPE hazardous to health on offshore 3 Ask the RPE supplier or occupational hygiene consultant for help. installations (eg occupational health 3 Get safety data sheets for all chemical products. specialists, COSHH assessors, supervisors 3 Put in place a management system for the correct selection, use and etc). It is also useful for trade union and maintenance of PPE. employee safety representatives. 3 Make sure all PPE you require can be worn and used together. 3 Control the provision and timely replacement of PPE. Following the guidance is not compulsory Caution: RPE can reduce visibility, limit communication and increase heat and you are free to take other action. But stress. if you do follow this guidance you will normally be doing enough to comply with the law. Health and safety inspectors seek 3 Where personal alarms are provided, these must be fully charged and working properly. to secure compliance with the law and may refer to this guidance as illustrating 3 Personal alarms should be mounted in the worker’s breathing zone. good practice. 3 You need to know the potential challenge to select the type of RPE with the right level of protection (UK assigned protection factor = 4, 10, 20, 40 or 2000). If you need a service provider (eg consultant), OCM sheets describe what 3 Plan and carry out face-fit testing (see ‘Further information’) for all mask wearers. they should deliver. 3 RPE must be CE marked. The basic types are: n filtering respirators relying only on lung power; You may need help from a RPE supplier n fan-assisted filtering respirators; or manufacturer, or from an occupational n constant flow or demand breathing apparatus (BA). hygienist. 3 Fill in the RPE selection table below. Show it to your RPE supplier. 3 Powered or air-fed RPE is more comfortable to wear.

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) OCM4 Special advice

3 Any air supplied to breathing apparatus must be fit to breathe, free of oil, water and other contaminants, and checked regularly.

Using RPE 3 Wearers must be medically fit to wear RPE. 3 RPE users need: n initial and repeat fit testing for RPE masks; n the right type and size of RPE for them personally; n training to check the fit every time, to wear RPE correctly and to

recognise defects; n any necessary instruction in cleaning and maintenance;

n to guard against tangling or mis-connection of BA air lines.

3 RPE must be worn the whole time while in the contaminated area, until the wearer is in clean air. 3 If RPE depends on a face seal, the worker must be clean shaven. 3 Keep RPE clean and store it in a clean place. 3 Change respirator filters and valves as recommended by the manufacturer. 3 Depending on the hazards present, respirators may need a combination filter to cope with both dust and vapour.

Caution: For filtering RPE, make sure the correct filter is fitted. Vapour filters will not give adequate protection against dust, and vice-versa

Procedures 3 RPE mask wearers must be fit-tested and trained how to look after it. RPE that depends on face-fit is suitable for clean-shaven workers only. 3 Ensure RPE fits properly. Tell workers to check it is working properly before every use. 3 Change the filters on respirators regularly – your supplier should be able to advise you. 3 Tell workers to discard disposable RPE at the end of the shift, or sooner if heavily soiled. 3 Keep RPE clean and store it in a clean place. Maintenance, examination and testing 3 Examine and test RPE thoroughly at least monthly and infrequently used RPE at least three monthly. Replace worn parts. 3 Replace time-expired, worn or damaged parts including valves and face seals. 3 Keep a stock of replaceable parts. 3 Check the expiry dates on RPE and filters. 3 Check the air quality to BA at least once every three months. Make sure that compressors take in only clean air. 3 Keep records of all maintenanace checks undertaken. Training 3 Training covers: n wearing RPE effectively; n the limitations of RPE; n storing RPE correctly;

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) OCM4 Special advice

how to check and maintain RPE; n Useful links replace disposable RPE after one use; and n Occupational Safety and Health n to stop work and leave the area immediately if they think their RPE Consultants Register is not working. www.oshcr.org/ 3 Keep training records. Further information Respiratory protective Respirator selection: Information to help your PPE supplier equipment at work: A practical guide HSG53 (Third edition) Job or activity HSE Books 2005 Chemicals in the substance ISBN 978 0 7176 2904 6 (see safety data sheet) www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/ hsg53.htm Physical form gas/fume/vapour/dust/other RPE guidance by assigned If solid, dustiness high/medium/low protection factor If liquid, boiling point o C www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ guidance/rseries.htm If liquid, water-based yes/no Fit testing of respiratory Is the humidity high yes/no protective equipment Task duration hours/minutes facepieces HSE OC 282/28

Confined space yes/possibly/no You can find the full Offshore COSHH essentials series at Explosive/flammable in air yes/possibly/no www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/index.htm Work rate heavy/medium/light

Space to do task restricted/unrestricted

Amount of moving around one place/many places

Vision requirement all round/not relevant

Spoken communication necessary/unnecessary

Wearer’s physical fitness OK/unsure

Wearer’s aspect face hair/spectacles/turban/etc

What other PPE worn hard hat/earmuffs/visor/goggles

This guidance was developed by representatives from the UK offshore oil and gas industry and trade unions, with HSE.

© Crown copyright 2011 Published by the Health and Safety Executive 03/11