Respiratory Protection for Workers

The Occupational Health and Safety Act emphasizes the importance of worker protection. One fundamental aspect of occupational health relates to the elimination or reduction of respiratory hazards. The field of respiratory protection is exceedingly complex. It comprises many different components. These include, for example, industrial hygiene, physics, physiology, toxicology, medicine, anthropology, engineering law, and worksite administration. In addition, respiratory protection is very dynamic. Industrial processes are continuously changing. In order to keep up with that change, protective equipment must evolve rapidly.

More specifically, there are different approaches to respiratory protection. These include the following: (1) engineering controls that eliminate or reduce exposures to toxic agents; (2) administrative controls (i.e., work rules); and (3) personal protective equipment (e.g., respirators) (Cashman & Murray, 1995, pp. 168-171). The most preferable solution to any respiratory protection problem usually involves engineering. If at all possible, employers should try to enhance workplace safety by either removing toxic substances, or substituting them with agents of lesser toxicity. In addition, modifying the work process can also be an economical way to abate a respiratory hazard. The cost of protective equipment can be considerable. Moreover, most such implements require periodic replacement. Medical surveillance of worke

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l such as cotton, felt, or paper. In contrast, cartridge-type respirators eliminate gases and vapors through chemical adsorption. These sorbent materials generally consist of some granular or porous material with a large surface area. Agents commonly employed include activated carbon, activated alumina, activated silica gel, and soda lime. Although the cartridges are usually designed for protection against specific compounds, the "spectrum of protection" can be broadened through the use of various chemically reactive additives (Arad, 1991, pp. 636-642). For example, activated carbon may be impregnated with such things as iodine, silver, copper, chromium salts, or metal oxides. The functional capacities of such materials are controlled by both the duration and severity of a toxin exposure. Bigger canisters can generally protect against higher contaminant concentrations for longer periods of time (Arad, 1991, pp. 636-642). Cashman & Murray (1995) additionally describes atmosphere-supplying respirators. Such systems are typically used in low oxygen environments or extremely dangerous conditions. The two major equipment subgroups include the airline respirator and the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Airline respi

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