According to current standards employers are to provide their employees with specific PPE for the protection of the body and respiratory system.
Asbestos: The killer fibre
The term asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring minerals known since ancient times for their exceptional physical and technical properties, including resistance to heat, wear, chemical and electrical aggressors. The fine fibres that make up this material are invisible to the naked eye and, when airborne, can be easily inhaled giving rise to malignant tumors.
Many countries have banned this dangerous substance and today, after 23 years from its prohibition, asbestos removal and abatement operations are still ongoing.
There are various standards and regulations which lay down the guidelines for the removal of asbestos available today.
Current standards prescribe that the employer has to establish a precise work plan for the demolition and removal of asbestos and provide their employees with specific protective devices for the body and the respiratory system.
Working protected from the risk of asbestos
Workers in asbestos containing environments are obliged to wear disposable protective suits, gloves, rubber boots, disposable boot covers and respiratory protection devices. All said items are to bear the CE mark, be provided with Declaration of conformities and User Instructions.
Respiratory protective devices are third category PPE and come in two types: filtering devices or supplied air breathing apparatus.
The supplied air breathing apparatus may be connected to an external breathable air source or may be self-contained. Air-purifying filtering devices on the other hand, are equipped with a face mask or a helmet, may have a built in filter or be powered by a blower unit equipped with a filter and attached to a belt.
Respirators have to conform to certain safety standards. First, the mask must be ergonomic, light, robust and must not limit the field of vision. It must provide high levels of protection and the filters must be easily removable.
Nominal or Operational Protection factors (NPF or OPF) are applied to the different types of respiratory protective devices. It is good practice to make sure which type of respirator is best for the job to be carried out.
In particular, a Powered air purifying respirator (PAPR)Â equipped with particle filters and a full face mask is recommended for use during asbestos removal work to protect the respiratory system effectively.
May 2 2017
How to protect oneself when working with asbestos
Asbestos: The killer fibre
The term asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring minerals known since ancient times for their exceptional physical and technical properties, including resistance to heat, wear, chemical and electrical aggressors. The fine fibres that make up this material are invisible to the naked eye and, when airborne, can be easily inhaled giving rise to malignant tumors.
Many countries have banned this dangerous substance and today, after 23 years from its prohibition, asbestos removal and abatement operations are still ongoing.
There are various standards and regulations which lay down the guidelines for the removal of asbestos available today.
Current standards prescribe that the employer has to establish a precise work plan for the demolition and removal of asbestos and provide their employees with specific protective devices for the body and the respiratory system.
Working protected from the risk of asbestos
Workers in asbestos containing environments are obliged to wear disposable protective suits, gloves, rubber boots, disposable boot covers and respiratory protection devices. All said items are to bear the CE mark, be provided with Declaration of conformities and User Instructions.
Respiratory protective devices are third category PPE and come in two types: filtering devices or supplied air breathing apparatus.
The supplied air breathing apparatus may be connected to an external breathable air source or may be self-contained. Air-purifying filtering devices on the other hand, are equipped with a face mask or a helmet, may have a built in filter or be powered by a blower unit equipped with a filter and attached to a belt.
Respirators have to conform to certain safety standards. First, the mask must be ergonomic, light, robust and must not limit the field of vision. It must provide high levels of protection and the filters must be easily removable.
Nominal or Operational Protection factors (NPF or OPF) are applied to the different types of respiratory protective devices. It is good practice to make sure which type of respirator is best for the job to be carried out.
In particular, a Powered air purifying respirator (PAPR)Â equipped with particle filters and a full face mask is recommended for use during asbestos removal work to protect the respiratory system effectively.
By Kasco Srl • Blog •