N-class filters are not resistant to oil. This is indicated by a letter (N, R or P). The negative-pressure categories are based on a combination of two factors: And keep in mind that people’s faces come in all shapes and sizes you may need to select from a variety of models and sizes to find properly fitting respirators for all workers who need one.įor particulate filters, NIOSH has 10 different categories, nine for negative-pressure filters and one for for powered air-purifying filters ). Glasses and half face respirators, for example, may compete for space on the same part of the face - the bridge of the nose - so it’s vital to find equipment that fits together without causing either leakage around the respirator edges or loss of eye protection.Ĭomfort and ability to do the job are also important considerations if the work is particularly strenuous, try to select respirators that are as lightweight and streamlined as possible. For example, half-mask respirators with cartridges and filters have an APF of 10.īesides choosing equipment appropriate for your workplace’s types and levels of hazards, you must also consider compatibility with other required protective equipment, such as safety glasses and hard hats. OSHA lists APFs for different types of respirators. Once you know your required APF, you can narrow down your choices to those respirators that can reduce exposure to below the OEL. Step Three: Determine level of protection needed. If putting those controls into place is not feasible, choose respiratory protection that help bring exposures down to an acceptable level for workers. If your levels are above the limit, look to reduce exposures through engineering, or administrative controls. If your employee exposure levels are below the OEL, then respirators aren’t legally required, though you may still want to offer respirators for voluntary use. Measurements may also be in the form of 15-minute short-term exposure limits (STEL) or a ceiling limit (C), which is the absolute limit that should never be exceeded at any time by a worker.
For instance, both could be expressed in ppm for an eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA). In any event, make sure both your measured concentrations and the levels to which you are comparing them (such as the OEL) use the same units of measure. You can often use values set by other groups, such as the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) – if those values are lower than the OEL. The results are typically measured in parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per cubic meter of air (mg/m3), commonly averaged over an eight-hour work shift.Ĭompare your exposure levels to the occupational exposure limit (OEL) or permissible exposure limit (PEL) set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to determine if action is required by law. The exposure assessment should yield employee exposure levels for the substances you tested for.
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