Full face respirators

We should keep in mind that the main difference between level D and C equipment is the amount of respiratory protection. Level C protection requires use of a respiratory device (APR). Requiring workers to work in level C for more than a small percentage of the time can prove to be a challenging situation for both workers and managers. Respirators, especially full-face respirators, can provide excellent protection for workers, but are also found to be a source for worker complaints. 

Full-face respirator A respiratory protective device that covers the entire face from hairline to under the chin. 

Gas-tight safety goggles or full-face respirator... 

Two examples of air purifying respirators are the MSA Ultra-Twin full-face respirator (Mine Safety Appliances Company [MSA], Pittsburgh, PA), and the 3M Model 6800 full-face mask (3M, St. Paul, MN). Figure 6.7 shows an air-purifying respirator. 

Eye protection can be provided by safety glasses with side shields, chemical goggles, full face respirators, and face shields with glasses or goggles. The type of eye protection required will depend on the hazard assessment of the specific applications. When there is danger of vapor, aerosol, or dust exposure, the eyes must be protected by chemical goggles at a minimum. 

Protective eyewear Safety glasses with brow, front, and temple protection, face shield, goggles, or full-face respirator... 

Rubber or plastic-coated coverall (worn over underwear) with hood, chemical-resistant gloves, chemical-resistant boots, and goggles and half-face respirator (or full-face respirator). 

After WWI, respirators followed the general style of elastomeric facepieces, with eyepieces/ visors and exhale valves, and filters connected by tubes or mounted directly on the facepiece. The first all-rubber, full-face respirator was issued to the Royal Navy in 1922 and the Army in 1924. The facepiece was moulded in natural rubber and its outer surface was covered in stockinette to aid the wicking out and surface evaporation of chemical agents. The respirator had two-inch diameter glass eyepieces and an expiratory valve fitted in the region of the nosepiece. The filter canister was mounted on the wearer s body and... 

Contact lenses must be replaced by optical inserts whenever a full-face respirator is worn. Personnel who require glasses must also have optical inserts. Permitting a worker to begin work in a chemical environment without appropriate optical inserts, or while wearing contact lenses, places both the worker and the coworkers at an unacceptable risk for accidents. 

Figure 15-3 Full Face Respirator with Canister...

Respiratory tract Dust, vapour, gas, aerosols, oxygen-deficient atmospheres Disposable filtering face piece or respirator, filtering half or full-face respirators, air-fed helmets, breathing apparatus (independent from ambient air)... 

The cost of full-face respirators is substantially more than the half-face units, typically by a factor of 4 or 5. 

A variation of the full-face respirator is the PAAP unit discussed in the previous section. In one version, the only difference is that it supplies a full-face mask instead of a half-face mask. Flowever, a useful variation is for the PAAP unit to supply air into the top of a hood which has a cape extending down to the shoulders. Some ofthesehave atransparentsection extending all the way around the upper part of the hood and provide an unusual degree offlexibility in vision and comfort, with a minimal loss in protection. This style accommodates both facial hair and glasses. 

Forother features of full-face respirators other than those covered here, the informationon half-face units in Section B.2 of this chapter will apply. 

Technologically advanced features position the 9000 full face respirator as the leader in its field. The exclusive over-molded lens design eliminates the usual heavy clamping frame to create an innovative full face with lighter weight, fewer parts, greater field of vision, minimal maintenance and completely free of metal parts. Moldex, www.moldex.com. 

They found the absorber pliable at room temperature and rigid and breakable at freezing temperatures. Although unsupported heets qf absorber sagged when exposed to the sun and smelled of coal tar (like creosote), the odor lessened with time and was not a serious disadvantage. Fire tests produced a gagging odor and full-face respirators were advisable if entry into the fire test chamber was necessary before ventilation. The toxicity of the absorber is unknown, but respiratory protection is warranted in the event of fire. 

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