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FILE NAME: BF Goodrich (BFG) DATE: 1938 DOC#: BFG038 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Article - Respiratory Protective Equipment - NSC Safe Practices Respiratory Protective Equipment Safe Practices Pamphlet No. 64 Published by National Safety Council, Inc. 20 North Wacker Drive, Chicago 1. The hazards to life and health from working in certain dusts, fumes, vapors, and gases have long been rec ognized, and it is generally agreed that employers should provide protection for workers exposed to these hazards. Pro gressive employers are making rapid progress in eliminating various dusts, fumes, vapors and gases through engi neering means, such as by the enclosure of processes, and by the installation of exhaust systems, but there are many op erations where it is necessary to provide the workers with suitable respiratory protective equipment. 2. There are numerous types of res pirators on the market today that are known as gas masks, hose masks, oxy gen breathing apparatus, dust respira tors, chemical fume respirators, air-line masks, etc., but many industrialists do not understand their various character istics and differences. This pamphlet, therefore, has been prepared to serve as a guide for such persons. The data here in presented parallel the "American Standard Safety Code for the Protection of the Heads, Eyes, and Respiratory Organs," as well as the official publica tions of the United States Bureau of Mines. The latter of these two organ izations has established a testing and labelling service, and persons who buy such equipment are advised to purchase only those devices that have been so tested and labelled, and to use them only under the conditions for which they have been approved. 3. Another precaution that should be borne in mind is that some atmos pheres contain gases like hydrocyanic acid gas that may be absorbed through the skin. Certain respirators will pro tect the lungs of persons in such atmos pheres, but it is obvioys that no res pirator will protect against absorption of such gases through other exposed portions of the skin. This pamphlet is a compilation o f ex perience in accident prevention. It should not be assumed, however, that it includes every acceptable procedure in the field covered. It must not be confused with federal, state or insurance requirements, or with the American Standard safety codes. Attention is called to the American Standard Safety Code for the Protection of the Heads, Eyes and Respiratory Or gans of Industrial Workers, to which ref erence should be made; this code was formulated under the sponsorship of the National Bureau of Standards and under the procedure of the American Standards Association, 29 West 39th Street, N ew York City. The suggestions contained in this pamphlet do not conflict with the re quirements in the code. Types of Industrial Respiratory Equipment 4. There are two general classes of respiratory equipment: I. Supplied-air respiratory equipment. (S ee paragraph 5.) II. Air-purifying respirators. (S ee par agraph 11.) But in each of these two classifications, there is a variety of types. Supplied-Air Equipment 5. In this classification there are four distinct types, plus three types adapted for abrasive-blasting opera tions: I. Self-contained oxygen breathing ap paratus. (See paragraph 6.) II. Hose mask with hand-operated blower. (Type A supplied-air res pirator.) (S ee paragraph 7.) III. Hose mask without blower. (Type B supplied-air respirator.) (See paragraph 8.) IV. Air-line respirator. (Type C sup plied-air respirator.) (S ee para-^ graph 9.) V. Abrasive - blasting r e s p ir a t o r s . (Types AE, BE, and CE supplied- 10air .) respirators.) (S ee paragraph ' ' Courtesy, Mine Safety Appliances Co. Figure 1. Self-contained oxygen breath ing apparatus provides respiratory pro tection for one hour in any atmosphere. (See paragraph 6.) 6. ,Self-contained oxygen - breathing apparatus. The wearer carries all of his equipment with him and is not de pendent upon the surrounding air nor upon any other device or person. He receives oxygen from a container of com pressed oxygen. Such equipment can be used in any harmful or objectionable atmosphere and is particularly useful'if the wearer must move about in an un restricted manner. (See Figure 1.) This makes it applicable especially in explor ing and rescue operations as in the min ing industry and in fire-fighting. I t is not discussed in detail in this pamphlet; for further information see N.S.C. Safe Practices Pamphlet No. M. 2, "Mine Rescue Work." 7. Hose mask with hand-operated blower. (Type A supplied-air respira tor.) This respirator has a tight-fitting face-piece to which is attached a large ( C opyright, 1938, N ational S afety Council, Inc. A ll rights reserved. P rin ted in the U .S.A.) 2 SAFE PRACTICES PAMPHLET No. 64 The inlet should also have a device for fastening or anchoring the end to a fixed object in a zone of clean fresh air. This type of respirator is not approved for use in atmospheres that are imme diately harmful nor in those from which the wearer could not escape without the aid of the device. The harness worn by anyone using this respirator is so ar ranged that a pull on the hose will not exert a pull on the face-piece. The face piece may be of the full or Tissot-type, or half-mask, and an exhalation valve as well as a check valve are provided as on the type A supplied-air respirator. Courtesy, E. D. Bullard Co. bFliogwureer 2p.roHviodsees mreasspkirwatiothryhparnodt-eocptieornateidn any atmosphere. (See paragraph 7.) 9. Air-line respirator. (Type C sup plied-air respirator.) This type of respi rator is designed to protect workers against harmful or objectionable atmos pheres that are not immediately danger ous to life. In other words, it provides protection against atmospheres that diameter hose that offers low resistance to the air that passes through it. Air is forced through the hose by a hand-op erated blower. The device as a whole is so arranged that the wearer can continue to breathe through it even though the blower ceases to operate. This is the only supplied-air respirator (except oxygen-breathing apparatus) that is ap proved for use in almost any atmos phere, even in an atmosphere that is im mediately dangerous to life. The sup ply-hose length should not exceed ISO feet from the blower to each man. Any one using this type of respirator also wears a body harness equipped with the necessary attachments for a life-line and for carrying the weight of the hose. Only full or Tissot-type face-pieces are used on such respirators. They form a pocket over the face and allow breath ing through the nose and mouth. An exhalation valve is provided in the face piece to allow the escape of exhaled air and any excess of air delivered by the blower. A check valve is provided to allow flow of fresh air through the hose toward the face-piece only. (See Fig ure 2.) otherwise may cause harm only from continuous exposure. Air for this type of respirator is provided by either a mechanically - operated blower or a source of compressed-air. If air comes from a compressed-air system no inter nal lubricant should be used that could produce gases or mists that may be ob jectionable or injurious to health. (See paragraph 36.) If it is impracticable to follow this suggestion, suitable filters, temperature regulators and alarms should be installed in the system. A hand-operated detachable c o u p l i n g should be provided in the hose so the wearer can easily and quickly attach or detach the hose at a point near the har ness. If the air pressure at any point in the system exceeds 25 pounds per square inch gage, a pressure-release mechanism should be installed that will prevent the pressure at the hose connec tion to the blower or manifold from ex ceeding 25 pounds per square inch gage. The air-supply line should not exceed 250 feet in length. The rate of air flow to the face-piece should not be less than 2 or more than 20 cubic feet per min ute. The body harness may be similar to that for type B. Any type of face 8. Hose mask without blower. (Type piece may be used except one that has B supplied-air respirator.) This type of a direct nose or mouth connection. respirator is similar to type A (see par agraph 7 ), but it has no blower nor any 10. Abrasive-blasting r e s p ir a t o r s . other source of air under pressure. The (Types AE, BE, and CE supplied-air hose should be not more than 75 feet respirators.) Supplied-air respirators of long. The inlet to the hose should have the A, B, and C types may be modified a terminal fitting or chamber that pro for use in abrasive blasting. The letter vides for drawing air through a screen E added to the regular-type letter indi made of corrosion-resistant material. cates that the regular-type respirator has been properly modified or provided with additional equipment. Such changes consist primarily of adding a covering to protect the head and shoulders against impact and abrasion by the rebounding material. The windows in the covering are shielded with glass or woven wire or perforated sheet metal. Types AE, BE, and CE supplied-air respirators are the only types that are approved for use in abrasive blasting operations. (See Fig ure 3.) Air-Purifying Respirators 11. There are 11 types of air-purify ing respirators. The first seven are chemical-filter respirators ( u s u a l l y called gas masks if filters are contained in canisters; if filters are in cartridges, they are called cartridge-type chemicalfilter respirators); No. VIII is a combi nation chemical and mechanical-filter respirator; and the last three are me chanical-filter respirators. I. Acid gas mask. (Type A chemical- f1i2lt.e) r respirator.) (See paragraph II. Organic vapor gas mask. (Type B chemical-filter respirator.) (See paragraph 14.) III. Ammonia gas mask. (Type C chemical - filter respirator.) (See paragraph 14.) IV. Carbon monoxide gas mask. (Type D chemical-filter respirator.) (See paragraph 15.) Courtesy, Pangbom Corp. Fitghuereair3-.linAebtryapseiv. e-(bSleaestipnagrargersappihrat1o0r.)of RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT 3 13. Organic vapor gas masks (type B chemical-filter respirators) provide protection against organic vapors such as aniline, benzene, ether, gasoline, etc., in concentrations not exceeding two per cent. Black canisters are used for these respirators; they usually contain acti vated charcoal. (See Notes A, B, C, and D.) (See Figure 4.) Courtesy, Acme Protection Equip. Co., Inc. pFriogtuercetio4n. aOgraginansticorvgaapnoirc gvaaspomrsa.sk(Sfeoer paragraph 13.) V. Combination acid gas and organic vapor gas mask. (Type AB chem ical-filter respirator.) (S ee para graph 16.) VI. Combination acid gas, organic vapor, and ammonia gas mask. (Type ABC chemical-filter respi rator.) (S ee paragraph 17.) VII. Combination acid gas, organic vapor, ammonia, and c a r b o n monoxide gas mask. (Type ABCD chemical - filter respirator.) (S ee paragraph 18.) V III. All-gas respirator. (Type N respi rator.) (S ee paragraph 19.) 14. Ammonia gas masks (type C chemical-filter respirators) provide pro tection against ammonia in concentra tions not exceeding three per cent. Green canisters are used for these respirators; they usually contain silica gel or malic acid. The three per cent maximum con centration cannot be long endured by the wearers of this type of respirator because of the severe skin irritation from ammonia gas. (See Notes A, B, C, and D.) (See Figure S.) 15. Carbon monoxide gas masks (type D chemical-filter respirators) provide protection against carbon mon oxide in concentrations not exceeding two per cent. Blue canisters are used for these respirators; they usually contain "hopcalite." "Hopcalite" cata lyzes carbon monoxide with oxygen of the air to produce relatively harmless carbon dioxide. These respirators pro tect in concentrations exceeding two per cent, but the air becomes noticeably wanner as the percentage of carbon monoxide encountered increases. (See Notes A, B, C, and D.) IX. Type A mechanical-filter respirator. (See paragraph 20.) X. Type B mechanical-filter respirator. (See paragraph 21.) XI. Type C mechanical-filter respirator. (See paragraph 22.) 12. Acid gas masks (type A chemi cal-filter respirators) provide protection against acid gases such as hydrochloric acid, hydrogen sulphide, sulphur diox ide, chlorine, etc., in concentrations not exceeding two per cent. The chemical filter is contained in a canister or car tridge that is colored white so it can easily be distinguished from other can isters used for other purposes. The chemical for this respirator usually con sists of soda lime or caustic soda fused on pumice granules. The time of pro tection decreases rapidly as the concen tration of gas increases. (See Notes A, B, C, and D.) Courtesy. American-LaFrance and Foamite Industries. Inc. cFailgufirlete5r.coAnmtaminoendiaingacsanmisatsekr.w(iStheechpeamrai graph 14.) Courtesy, Davis Emergency Equipment Co. Fpriogtuercetio6n. aCgahienmsticaacl-idfiltgearsersesapnidratoorrganfoicr vapors. (See paragraph 16.) 16. Combination acid gas and or ganic vapor gas masks (combination type chemical-filter respirators AB) pro vide protection against acid gases an<i organic vapors in concentrations not ex ceeding two per cent acid gases and two per cent organic vapors. Yellow can isters are used with these respirators; they usually contain activated charcoal and soda lime. (See Notes A, B, C, and D.) (See Figure 6.) 17. Combination acid gas, organic vapor, and ammonia gas masks (combi nation type chemical-filter respirators ABC) provide protection against two per cent acid gases, two per cent or ganic vapors, and two per cent am monia. Brown canisters are used with these respirators; they usually contain soda lime, activated charcoal, and silica gel. As the number of gases encountered increases, the service time of the can isters decreases. (See Notes A, B, C, and D.) 18. Combination acid gas, organic vapor, ammonia, and carbon monoxide gas masks (combination type chemicalfilter respirators ABCD) provide protec tion against two per cent acid gases, two per cent organic vapors, three per cent ammonia, and two per cent carbon monoxide. The canisters used with these 4 SAFE PRACTICES PAMPHLET No. 64 N ote A: These chemical-filter respirators are provided with a body harness to support the weight of the canister. N ote B: These chemical-filter respirators have check valves and exhala tion valves. N ote C: Mo chemical-filter r e s p i r a t o r will provide protection where the atmosphere is deficient in oxygen. N ote D: The resistance of a chemical- filter respirator to a flow of air of 3 cubic feet per minute should not exceed 3 inches of water pressure and the resistance to exhalation should not exceed Courtesy, Mine Safety Appliances Co. Fagigauinrset 7a.ciAd llg-agsaess,reosrpgiarantiocrvfaoproprsr,otceacrtbioonn monoximdei,stsa.m(mSeoeniap,arasmgroakpehs, 19d.u)sts and 1 inch of water. 20. Type A mechanical-filter respi rators provide protection against pneu moconiosis-producing or nuisance dusts such as quartz, asbestos, iron ores, cement, limestone, gypsum, coal, coke, charcoal, wood, cellulose, flour and respirators usually contain soda lime, aluminum. They are not approved for activated charcoal, silica gel and "hop- protection against dusts whose main calite." (See Notes A, B, C, and D.) harmful constituents are metals or their compounds, such as antimony, arsenic, 19. All-gas respirators (type N rescadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, pirators) provide protection against mercury, selenium, tellurium, thallium, combinations of acid gases, organic uranium and vanadium, or against vapors, ammonia, carbon monoxide, harmful smoke, gases and fumes. (See dusts, fumes, and mists if the concen Notes E and F .) (See Figures 8 to trations do not exceed two per cent acid 12 inclusive.) Certain respirators of this gases, two per cent organic vapors, type have been adapted by the manu three per cent ammonia, and two per facturers to provide protection against cent carbon monoxide. Red canisters lead dust; others protect against pneu are used with these respirators; they moconiosis-producing or nuisance dusts, usually contain soda lime, activated also against lead dust. That is, such charcoal, silica gel, hopcalite, and cotton respirators protect against mechanicallywool filters. (See Note C.) (See Figure generated lead dust such as that gen 7.) erated in manufacturing storage bat teries; enameling; pottery making; rub ber compounding; sandpapering and chipping painted surfaces; paint mak ing; preparing litho-transfers; and min ing, milling, and processing lead ores. These respirators are not approved for protection against the inhalation of lead fumes generated by heating and volatil izing lead, such as the fumes generated in lead burning and soldering, smelting, type founding, and fusing lead glaze and enamel; or protection against dusts of other poisonous metals or their com pounds, or harmful smokes, fumes or mists. (See Figures 13 and 14.) Courtesy, Willson Products, Inc. Fpriogtuercetio9.n aMgeacinhsatnpicnaelu-fmiltoecronreiospsiisr-aptroordufocr ing or nuisance dusts. (See paragraph 20.) 22. Type C mechanical-filter respi rators provide protection against the mist of chromic acid as produced in chromium plating; the mist produced by spray coating with lead paint and vitre ous enamels. (See Notes E and F.) Note E: In all mechanical-filter respi rators having a rate of air flow of three cubic feet per minute, the resistance to the flow o f air shall not exceed two inches of water pressure, and the resist ance to exhalation shall not ex ceed one inch of water pressure. Note F: No mechanical-filter respirator will provide protection where the atmosphere is deficient in oxygen. Respirator Maintenance 23. Practically all respirators have rubber and rubberized fabric in their Courtesy, American Optical Co. pFriogtuercetio8.n Maegcahiannsitcal-pfniletuermorecsopniiroastiosr-pfroor ducing or nuisgarnacpeh 2d0u.s)ts. (See para 21. Type B mechanical-filter respi rators provide protection against the fumes of metals such as aluminum, arsenic, antimony, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, man ganese, mercury (except vapor), and zinc. (See Notes E and F.) Courtesy, B. F. McDonald Co. pFriogtuercetio10n. aMgaeicnhsatnpinceaul-mfilotecronrieosspiisr-aptroordufocr ing or nuisance dusts. (See paragraph 20.) RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT S 25. If the same respirator is used by several persons, it is always advisable to clean and disinfect it after each per son has used it. To clean a respirator, it may be washed with a brush and soap in warm water. Sterilizing may be ac complished in either of three ways: a. Immerse for 10 minutes in a solution of 1 part of 40 per cent formaldehyde and 9 parts of water. b. Dip in a 3 per cent solution of carbolic acid or a 2 per cent solution of lysol. Courtesy, H. S. Cover pFriogtuercetio11n. aMgaeicnhsat npincaelu-mfilotecronreiosspiisr-aptroordufocr ing or nuisance dusts. (See paragraph 20.) c. Place in a moist atmosphere of anti septic gas, preferably formaldehyde, for 10 minutes at room temperature. The respirator should then be rinsed construction, and since heat, air, light, water and oil cause such substances to deteriorate, respirators should be stored in a cool dry place and protected from with water and hung up to dry in an inverted position. No attempt should be made to sterilize elastic head-bands, canisters and filters. light and air as much as possible. Wood, fiber, or metal cases are provided with 26. There should be a "time card" many respirators, and the respirators in each gas mask container, on which a will last much longer if kept in such record should be kept of the number cases when not in actual use. of hours and minutes that each canister is used. If there is any reason to believe 24. After a respirator has been used, that a canister is almost or entirely it should be carefully wiped with a exhausted, a fresh canister should be damp cloth and dried before it is placed attached to the mask. back in the case. Care should be taken to make sure there are no sharp folds or creases in the respirator when it is put away. 27. A timer should be used on the type N all-gas respirator; this has a hand that moves around a dial in about two hours of normal breathing, and one revolution indicates that a new canister should be attached even if the respirator has not been worn in contaminated air. Courtesy, Chicago Eye Shield Co. pFriogtuercetio13n. aMgaeicnhstanpinceaul-mfilotecronrieosspiisr-aptroordfuocr ing or dnuusist.anc(Seeedupsatsra, garalspoh a2g0a.)inst lead 30. In some organizations, one or more selected individuals are given the responsibility for maintaining all respi rator equipment in good condition. Use of Respirators 31. The man who is to wear a chem ical-filter respirator should test the face piece to make sure it fits and does not leak before he enters a gaseous loca tion. To do this, the respirator is put on and the head-bands adjusted until it fits closely and comfortably. There should be no kinks in any of the tubes 28. Manufacturers deliver canisters with plugged seals covering the bottom valve, and with corks closing the hose nipple unless the latter is attached to the face-piece. Canisters should be stored and used as directed by the can ister manufacturers. Courtesy, Standard Safety Equipment Co. pFriogtuerceti1o2n. aMgaeicnhsatnpinceaul-mfilotceor nreiosspiisr-aptroordufocr ing or nuisance dusts. (See paragraph 20.) 29. Canisters should be protected, especially from possible absorption of dampness when not in use. If a canister has become saturated with moisture, it should not be used again. When a respi rator with a canister is stored for future use, the seal on the bottom opening of the canister should not be broken; if it has already been broken it should be closed with the plug stopper furnished with the canister. Courtesy, Pulmosan Safety Equipment Corp. pFriogtuercetio1n4. agaMinescthanpinceaul-mfilotceorniroessips-iprarotodrucifnogr or nuisance (dSuesetsp, araalgsorapahga2i0n.s)t lead dust. 6 SAFE PRACTICES PAMPHLET No. 64 or hose. Resistance to natural breath ing should be very slight. The intake to the canister should be closed with the palm of the hand, and suction exerted with the lungs until the face-piece col lapses. The face-piece should remain collapsed for about 15 seconds. If the respirator is tight, the wearer can pro ceed, but he should enter the gas cau tiously to see that the canister is active. If the respirator leaks or if the canister is used up, as indicated by odor, taste, or eye, nose or throat irritation, the wearer should immediately return to fresh air and ascertain the cause. If the canister is used up a new one should be attached, care being exercised to make sure that the right canister is se lected for the gas to be encountered. Special care should be used when the respirator is wom in gases or vapors that have no warning properties. 32. Each person who learns to use a supplied-air respirator or a chemicalfilter respirator should first undergo a physical examination, especially as to the condition of the heart and lungs. 33. When respirators with hose con nections are used, care must be exer cised to prevent injury to the hose; for instance, it should not be permitted to lie in water or oil. 34. If respirators are provided for emergency use, they should be kept handy to the place where the emergency may be created. For instance, at least one type C chemical-filter respirator should be available in an ice plant for use in case of ammonia leak. The respi rator, however, should not be kept too near the ice machine or ammonia pip ing. Instead, it is better to place it just inside or outside one of the exit doors so anyone can reach it quickly without exposing himself unnecessarily to the ammonia gas. 35. It is recommended that a safety belt and life-line be used in every case where the wearer of a respirator enters a confined irrespirable atmosphere. A man should be stationed outside to tend the life-line and to act in an emergency. In many cases, he should be provided with suitable respiratory protective equipment so he can put it on if it be comes necessary for him to go into the same irrespirable atmosphere to assist his co-worker. Use of Compressed Air 36. If compressed air is used for air line respirators, special filters or other means should be provided to prevent contamination of the air with oil, mois ture, carbon monoxide, and other un desirable contaminants. Carbon monox ide is not likely to be created in com pressed air equipment except under un usual circumstances, such as if any part of the equipment becomes considerably overheated. Thus, it is necessary to check the compressed air-equipment fre quently to prevent overheating. (See paragraph 9.) Getting Workers to Wear Respirators 37. Some workers consider respi rators a nuisance, not realizing that fail ure to wear them may endanger their lives; they think they are. super-men and "can take it" without protection. Usually the attitude of such men can be changed if someone in authority in the organization will honestly make an effort to do it. He should explain why specific types of respirators are neces sary under certain conditions, show the men how to fit the respirators in proper position, and explain their operation. Then, after every possible effort has been made to convince such men that respirators are essential, the job be comes one of laying down certain shop rules and enforcing them through super vision--and discipline, if necessary, as a last resort. ACKNOWLEDGMENT This pamphlet was prepared by W. Dean Keefer, Director, Industrial Divi sion, National Safety Council, in co operation with engineers of the U. S. Bureau of Mines, representative mem bers of the sectional committee for the "Safety Code for the Protection of the Heads, Eyes and Respiratory Organs of Industrial Workers," and various manufacturers of respiratory protective equipment. It has been reviewed by the Safe Practices Conference Committee and approved by the Executive Com mittee of the Council. The respirators illustrated in this pamphlet have all been approved by the U. S. Bureau of Mines; limited space makes it impossible to illustrate all respirators that have been so approved. Rev. 11-38-4M