Respiratory protective equipment (RPE), also called protective breathing equipment (PBE) in the US,[1] is a form of personal protective equipment designed to protect the wearer from a variety of airborne hazards in the form of a gas, fume, mist, dust or vapour. Respirators filter the air to remove harmful particles and alongside the breathing apparatus (BA) provides clean air for the worker to breathe.[2][3]
UK legislation
[edit]RPE is covered by a number of UK laws including:
- Personal Protective Equipment Regulations, 2002 [4]
- Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974[5]
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.[6]
The Health and Safety Executive advises that RPE should be appropriate for the needs of the wearer, the task they are undertaking and the environment in which it takes place.[7][8]
See also
[edit]- Air filter – Device composed of fibrous or porous materials which removes solid particulates from the air
- Breathing apparatus – Equipment allowing or assisting the user to breath in a hostile environment
- Cartridges and canisters of air-purifying respirators – Container that cleans pollution from air inhaled through it
- Gas mask – Protection from inhaling airborne pollutants and toxic gases
- Powered air-purifying respirator – Full-face respirator that provides filtered air to the wearer using an electric fan
- Respirator – Device worn to protect the user from inhaling contaminants
References
[edit]- ^ "14 CFR § 25.1439 - Protective breathing equipment". www.law.cornell.edu. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ RPE[dead link]
- ^ "What is RPE?". www.hse.gov.uk. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ Health and Safety Executive, ppe
- ^ Health and Safety Executive, hswa
- ^ Health and Safety Executive, coshh
- ^ Health and Safety Executive, How do I choose he right respiratory protective equipment (RPE)?, accessed 20 June 2020
- ^ "Supplier of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), workwear, consumables, safety equipment, janitorial products and safety signage". tiger-supplies.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-03-14.