Respiratory protection
Health and safety

As part of your duties, you might have to work in areas where you could be exposed to harmful dusts, fumes or gases, or where there is likely to be a deficiency of oxygen (or both). The most likely area will be when rummaging ships.

If you cannot avoid these areas (e.g. by employing different working methods), you must wear respiratory protective equipment.

Many different types are available, from simple dust masks to complex breathing apparatus. This section deals with respirators designed to protect against harmful dust. Breathing apparatus designed to protect against toxic fumes or oxygen deficiency is covered in the next section.

You must make sure that respiratory protective equipment is suitable for the hazards in the area where you are working. You can then decide the types of equipment you need to use (see the next section). To find out whether the equipment is suitable, you should ask:

• Is the atmosphere safe to breathe without respiratory protective equipment?; and
• Is the substance contaminating the air a dust, gas or vapour?

Advice may also be available from experts. The section on hazardous substances gives advice on examination of such substances.

The respirators used in many administrations purify the air by drawing it in through a filter which removes harmful substance(s). Various types of filter are available, depending on the hazards you are likely to encounter.

It is essential you choose the appropriate filter. Using the wrong type can be very dangerous because it won’t protect you.

• High-efficiency respirator: A full face-piece with exhalation valve and filters for protection against toxic dusts, including asbestos. Note — not blue asbestos as its particles are too small to be filtered out successfully. For further information, see the section on hazardous substances.
• Disposable respirators: A mask constructed of filter material designed to cover the nose and mouth, occasionally with an exhalation valve included. These respirators give protection against harmful dusts only, and only for limited periods.

Respirators provide no protection against toxic gases, and are mainly designed to protect you against harmful or nuisance dusts. They are only as good as the filter material — if it is missing, damaged or worn the respirator will not protect you.

• Use in high temperatures: You may find some types of respirator uncomfortable if you wear them for long periods in a warm environment.
• Using dust respirators: Always check that you have the appropriate respirator and filter before you enter any dusty atmosphere. Remember: the area could also be deficient in oxygen — the respirator will not protect you from this.

The filters in respirators will eventually become clogged with dust and then breathing will be more difficult. Replace the filters (outside the contaminated atmosphere) as recommended by the manufacturer.

Remember: some respirators with cartridge filters also have a recommended ‘maximum use’ period. Make sure you know what it is and follow it.

You should wear respirators whenever you have to work in dusty atmospheres. Managers should determine whether respirators are required following their health and safety risk assessments.

It is important that you know how to use all forms of respiratory protection. Your manager should give you training which covers:

• what the hazard is and what could happen to you if you do not use the equipment;
• why the respirator chosen is appropriate to the hazard (i.e. what it protects you against);
• the limitations of the equipment;
• how to use the equipment; and
• practice in handling, fitting and testing the equipment.

The fit of the face-piece is particularly important. It must be airtight. For this reason, full-face respirators are not suitable for officers with a beard or who wear spectacles.

Test the fit of the face-piece before use, as follows:

• close the inlet valve;
• inhale gently so the face-piece collapses slightly, and hold your breath for 10 seconds;
• if the face-piece remains in the slightly collapsed position, and no inward leakage of air is detected, the fit is satisfactory;
• if you do detect any leakage, adjust the face-piece and repeat the test. If you still notice a leakage, the face-piece is probably faulty and must not be used. (Do not over-tighten the straps around your head — they should only be adjusted so as to give an airtight fit to the face);
• for hygiene reasons, it is better if each respirator supplied is used exclusively by a single officer. It should also be cleaned and disinfected immediately after use.

Remember: asbestos dust can kill. You must avoid prolonged close contact with it, even if you are wearing a respirator.

Storage: You should store the respirator in its carrying case, a clean metal box or a clean polythene bag.

Inspections: You must inspect all respirators before use, as follows:

Face-piece	Check for cracks, punctures or other damage
Harness	Check that the stitching is sound
Valves	Check for damage and make sure that they move freely and that the mountings are secure
Filters	Check that they are undamaged and securely attached and that they are the right type for the materials to be encountered
Other components	Check that they are securely fixed and undamage

Replacing filters: Replace filters in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions or sooner if you have difficulty breathing when using the respirator. Spare filter cartridges must be stored in a dark, dry place at room temperature. Unused filters have a shelf life of up to four years.

Cleaning: The respirator must be kept clean and disinfected and must be visually inspected after each use. Do not wash the filter — you should dismantle the equipment and wash the rest with soap and water (not detergents or solvents). Clean and check the exhalation valve and disinfect the whole unit with a mild, household fluid. Do not replace the filter until the unit is thoroughly dry — but keep it out of direct sunlight.

Servicing and repairs: Servicing and repairs must be carried out only by experienced people, normally the manufacturer. Do not attempt to carry out even minor repairs, except for replacing filter cartridges.