The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published extensively revised and updated guidance covering the correct and safe use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
Respiratory Protective Equipment at Work: A Practical Guide provides employers, safety representatives and manufacturers who use or supply RPE with advice on ensuring it is selected and used correctly,as required by law.
RPE is a type of personal protective equipment designed to protect the wearer against inhalation of potentially hazardous substances in workplace air.
The booklet features a new 'RPE Selector' tool,which takes the user through a simple step-by-step questionnaire to allow them to decide when it is appropriate to use RPE and to select the correct level of protection, such as filter types, required for a given hazardous substance. For ease of use,the booklet contains illustrated examples to ensure the most comfortable RPE design for each individual wearer and the environment they work in is worn. In addition,the book describes examples of significant misuse of RPE, and how to prevent it. It also includes tips and advice on ensuring RPE is adequately maintained so that it continues to work safely.
Copies of Respiratory Protective Equipment at Work: A Practical Guide, HSG53, ISBN 0-7176-2904-X, price £10.95, are available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA
