The plastics industry is one of the most important industrial sectors in our country. There are many factories that produce and process plastic polymers every day, which are then transformed into products of everyday use. Workers in this industry work in close contact with potentially harmful substances that easily penetrate the respiratory system and cause serious damage to workers’ health.
Risks in the plastics industry
The plastics industry is one of the most important industrial sectors in our country. There are many factories that produce and process plastic polymers, which are transformed into products of everyday use. Workers in this industry work in close contact with potentially harmful substances that easily penetrate the respiratory tract and cause serious damage to the lungs.
In fact, very toxic solvents and components are often used for the production of plastic polymers, hence, plastics industry workers are often subjected to respiratory risks such as irritation and inflammation of the throat and the respiratory system. Human tissue tends to react to the presence of inhaled vapours resulting in injuries which are similar to those caused by burns. However, there can also be much more substantial damage to the body tissues characterized by a high probability of death due to tumours that often develop when the workers are exposed to harmful reagents and solvents over a long period of time.
The tumours which develop are, most frequently, lung tumours but, cases of cancer cells in the throat and oesophagus are not rare either. The occupational risks for those who work in the plastics industry are, therefore, quite extensive and significant and, only in the last few years has the real extent been understood. Innovative solutions to protect the health of the workers in this sector have been developed to prevent the occupational health risks workers are exposed to at the workplace. Nowadays, Respiratory Protective Devices (RPD) are compulsory when working in the plastics sector.
RPD for use in the plastics industry
Respiratory Protective Devices for plastics industry workers were developed to protect the respiratory system while ensuring complete freedom of movement without encumbrance.
Personal protective equipment which protect against the risks arising from the moulding of plastic are rather complex devices and the more simple face pieces used in other areas should not be used for this purpose.
Plastics industry workers, in fact, should necessarily use devices that filter the polluted air and block all the toxic particles and vapours that would otherwise settle in the respiratory tract. For this reason, it is essential for them to use a respirator equipped with filter and a powered blower unit to enable workers to be independent and at the same time be protected from breathing toxic substances.
These respirators have an air inlet and outlet system allowing only clean, filtered air into the face mask while at the same time offering complete freedom of movement . Furthermore, exhaled and excess air is expelled through an exhalation valve system, which also helps to keep the visor demisted. Plastics industry workers can therefore work continuously for long hours without the need to remove the face mask for cleaning while on the job.
Technology has made tremendous advances in this area by providing completely self-powering respirators that do not need to be connected up to an external powering system thus ensuring maximum freedom of movement while on the job.
KASCO is a leader in the RPD sector. The high quality of KASCO devices for respiratory protection is guaranteed by an ISO9001 certified quality system and documented by product certifications in accordance with current European, American and Australian standards.
Sep 1 2017
Plastics industry hazards: how to protect oneself
Risks in the plastics industry
The plastics industry is one of the most important industrial sectors in our country. There are many factories that produce and process plastic polymers, which are transformed into products of everyday use. Workers in this industry work in close contact with potentially harmful substances that easily penetrate the respiratory tract and cause serious damage to the lungs.
In fact, very toxic solvents and components are often used for the production of plastic polymers, hence, plastics industry workers are often subjected to respiratory risks such as irritation and inflammation of the throat and the respiratory system. Human tissue tends to react to the presence of inhaled vapours resulting in injuries which are similar to those caused by burns. However, there can also be much more substantial damage to the body tissues characterized by a high probability of death due to tumours that often develop when the workers are exposed to harmful reagents and solvents over a long period of time.
The tumours which develop are, most frequently, lung tumours but, cases of cancer cells in the throat and oesophagus are not rare either. The occupational risks for those who work in the plastics industry are, therefore, quite extensive and significant and, only in the last few years has the real extent been understood. Innovative solutions to protect the health of the workers in this sector have been developed to prevent the occupational health risks workers are exposed to at the workplace. Nowadays, Respiratory Protective Devices (RPD) are compulsory when working in the plastics sector.
RPD for use in the plastics industry
Respiratory Protective Devices for plastics industry workers were developed to protect the respiratory system while ensuring complete freedom of movement without encumbrance.
Plastics industry workers, in fact, should necessarily use devices that filter the polluted air and block all the toxic particles and vapours that would otherwise settle in the respiratory tract. For this reason, it is essential for them to use a respirator equipped with filter and a powered blower unit to enable workers to be independent and at the same time be protected from breathing toxic substances.
These respirators have an air inlet and outlet system allowing only clean, filtered air into the face mask while at the same time offering complete freedom of movement . Furthermore, exhaled and excess air is expelled through an exhalation valve system, which also helps to keep the visor demisted. Plastics industry workers can therefore work continuously for long hours without the need to remove the face mask for cleaning while on the job.
Technology has made tremendous advances in this area by providing completely self-powering respirators that do not need to be connected up to an external powering system thus ensuring maximum freedom of movement while on the job.
KASCO is a leader in the RPD sector. The high quality of KASCO devices for respiratory protection is guaranteed by an ISO9001 certified quality system and documented by product certifications in accordance with current European, American and Australian standards.
By Kasco Srl • Blog •