A respirator is a protective device that covers the nose and mouth or the entire face or head to guard the wearer against hazardous atmospheres.

OSHA advises that when employees must work in environments with insufficient oxygen or where harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, fumes, gases, vapors, or sprays are present, they need respirators. These health hazards may cause cancer, lung impairment, other diseases, or death.

Where toxic substances are present in the workplace and engineering controls are inadequate to reduce or eliminate them, respirators are necessary. Some atmosphere-supplying respirators can also be used to protect against oxygen-deficient atmospheres.

Increased breathing rates, accelerated heartbeat, and impaired thinking or coordination occur more quickly in an oxygen-deficient or other hazardous atmosphere. Even a momentary loss of coordination can be devastating if it occurs while a worker is performing a potentially dangerous activity such as climbing a ladder. 

Types of Respirators

• Tight-fitting - that is, half masks, which cover the mouth and nose and full face pieces that cover the face from the hairline to below the chin

• Or, Loose-fitting such as hoods or helmets that cover the head completely

In addition, there are two major classes of respirators:

• Air-purifying, which remove contaminants from the air

• Atmosphere-supplying, which provide clean, breathable air from an uncontaminated source. As a general rule, atmosphere-supplying respirators are used for more hazardous exposures.

How do you know what type of mask to choose?

It’s important to start with understanding OSHA’s definitions for Assigned Protection Factors (APFs) and Maximum Use Concentration (MUC). APF is the workplace level of respiratory protection that a respirator or class of respirators is expected to provide to employees when the employer implements a continuing, effective respiratory protection program.

By OSHA’s definitions:

MUC means the maximum atmospheric concentration of a hazardous substance from which an employee can be expected to be protected when wearing a respirator, and is determined by the assigned protection factor of the respirator or class of respirators and the exposure limit of the hazardous substance.

The MUC usually can be determined mathematically by multiplying the assigned protection factor specified for a respirator by the permissible exposure limit (PEL), short-term exposure limit, ceiling limit, peak limit, or any other exposure limit used for the hazardous substance.

The MUC for respirators is calculated by multiplying the APF for the respirator by the PEL. The MUC is the upper limit at which the class of respirator is expected to provide protection. Whenever the exposures approach the MUC, then the employer should select the next higher class of respirators for the employees.

Employers must not apply MUCs to conditions that are immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH); instead, they must use respirators listed for IDLH conditions in paragraph (d)(2) of this standard.

When the calculated MUC exceeds the IDLH level for a hazardous substance, or the performance limits of the cartridge or canister, then employers must set the maximum MUC at that lower limit.

From 3M’s simple disposable lightweight mask to 3M’s reusable half face mask respirator, BlackHawk Industrial has a wide range of masks designed to keep your workers safe from harmful dust mites, fumes and sprays.

We also carry a large variety of other safety and security supply solutions for your industrial and manufacturing needs such as safety clothing, barriers, signs, workwear and more.

For any questions about the safety products we carry or any other products sold by BlackHawk, give us a call. We’re happy to help. Our mission is to provide innovative, value-added services and products that reduce our customer’s total cost. Feel free to contact us for more information.

BlackHawk Industrial

1501 SW Expressway Drive

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74012

[email protected]

Call Toll Free: 855-610-1001