Do you work in
Clean Air?
If not, remember,
Respiratory injuries can seriously
affect your health
Take Care!
In Partnership
Campaign support
This campaign is supported by
In Partnership
Respiratory Disease
In 2005 HSE estimated that
• 5.5 million people are exposed to respiratory hazards in their work
• Less than 1.8 million people are adequately protected
• Only 50% of people who use Respirators (RPE), use them properly
• Are you one of the estimated 3.7 million at risk?
In Partnership
Respirators will not work
Unless:
The respirator is right for the person
•
•
•
•
It fits the individual
It’s useable in the work place
It’s compatible with other safety equipment
It’s comfortable enough to keep on
In Partnership
Respirators will not work
Unless:
 The respirator is right for the hazard
 The correct filter type is used in order to protect the person from:
• Particles – dust, mists, metal fumes, bacteria/virus, fibres
• Gas and solvent vapours
• Toxicity
For the whole shift
In Partnership
Respirators will not work
Unless:
The respirator is right for the task
• It’s robust enough
• It’s practical to use in the working conditions
– Heat, Physical Activity, Temperature and Humidity, Obstacles, Working at
Height
• It will work efficiently and protect the wearer
In Partnership
Respirators will not work
Unless:
• The respirator is right for the person
• The respirator is right for the hazard
• The respirator is right for the task
Remember, tight fitting respirators rely upon a good seal around the face and will not work properly
if unshaven or wearing a beard.
In Partnership
Respirators won’t protect you
Unless:
 You use the right filters
 You replace filters when required
 You have been trained to use it

You fit it properly
 You store it and clean it properly
 It’s maintained properly
It’s your health, look after it!
In Partnership
What else should I do?
To ensure I am not one of the estimated 3.7 million people at risk, I should:
Replace filters
• Particle Filters
– When they become clogged and difficult to breathe through
– When the respirator “alarms” (battery powered equipment)
– When your company guidelines tell you to.
• Gas and Solvent Vapour Filters (will become saturated and allow gas or vapour through)
– Before the gas or vapour breaks through
– As a last resort, immediately upon detecting a smell or taste.
In Partnership
What else should I do?
To ensure I am not one of the estimated 3.7 million people at risk, I should:
Fit the respirator correctly
• Correctly fit and fit check the respirator before each use
• Ensure the fit of ‘tight fitting’ respirators have been checked for you
by a competent fit test provider: Look for Fit2Fit accreditation
In Partnership
What else should I do?
To ensure I am not one of the estimated 3.7 million people at risk, I should:
Clean and store the respirator correctly
• Reusable respirators should be cleaned after each use
• Respirators should be stored in a clean dry environment outside of your
hazardous work area so that they do not continue to absorb gases or attract dust
particles.
In Partnership
What else should I do?
To ensure I am not one of the estimated 3.7 million people at risk, I should:
Maintain the respirator correctly (non disposable)
• Respirators must be maintained by a competent person (with original
manufacturer parts)
• The respirator’s condition must be assessed (as specified by the manufacturer)
• Maintenance records must be kept
In Partnership
What else should I do?
To ensure I am not one of the estimated 3.7 million people at risk, I should:
Ensure you have been trained and fully understand
• Why respirators are required
• When respirators should be used
• How to wear the respirator correctly
• How to maintain the respirator
• When to replace the respirator
• How to clean the respirator
• How to store the respirator when not in use
In Partnership
What else should I do?
To ensure I am not one of the estimated 3.7 million people at risk, I should:
• Replace filters
• Fit the respirator correctly
• Clean and store the respirator correctly
• Maintain the respirator correctly (non disposable)
• Ensure you have been trained
In Partnership
Respirators won’t protect you
Unless:
 You use the right filters
 You replace filters when required
 You have been trained to use it

You fit it properly
 You store it and clean it properly
 It’s maintained properly
It’s your health, look after it!
In Partnership
So, do you work in
Clean Air?
Many millions of people don’t
and
Respiratory injuries can seriously
affect your health
Take Care!
The campaign is jointly organised by
The campaign is jointly organised by