Document M47QMYeap1g1r8Ldyp5NZBoYM

DEPARTMENT OF HEA_ H & HUMAN SERVICES Public Health Service Centers for Disease Control National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health -- ALOSH 944 Chestnut Ridge Road Morgantown, WV 26505 February II, 1983 RESPIRATOR USER WARNING ROBERTSHAW CONTROLS COMPANY LIFE SUPPORT PRODUCTS, INCORPORATED Anaheim, California Robertshaw RAM-5 Combination Self-contained and Supplied-air Respirator MSHA/NIOSH Approval Number TC-13F-64 The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) advises discontinuance of use of the Robertshaw RAM-5 combination 5-minute emergency escape self-contained breathing apparatus and supplied-air respirator (MSHA/NIOSH approval number TC-13F-64). During audit testing of two RAM-5 respirators, NIOSH found a defect in each respirator, a defective hose in one and a free-flowing regulator in the other. Each problem resulted in shortened service time of the self-contained air supply. In view of the critical nature of these failures, this respirator should not be used until the necessary actions have been taken by the manufacturers to correct the problems. Robertshaw and Life Support have agreed to discontinue sales and distribution of the RAM-5 respirators until the causes of the failures have been determined and any defective respirators have been recalled, retrofitted, and returned to the users in accordance with a NIOSH-approved plan. All owners of Robertshaw RAM-5 respirators should contact Robertshaw Controls Company (Norman Beaman, 333 North Euclid Way, Anaheim, California 92803, 714-535-8151) for further information. Jam' .. , Fh.D., P^, CSP Director Division of Safety Research DTH 000016054