If you have been in construction, you might be familiar with asbestos. Yes, those substances added to cement to make it stronger and tougher. But aside from that, there are a lot of applications for asbestos here in the modern world. Due to its unique chemical component which is heat-resistant and durable, it is no surprise that this has been used throughout history. From gaskets of your automobile, to the roof, to water supply lines, asbestos have a lot of practical uses. However, asbestos can be a destructive substance when it comes to the human body. In fact, when you inhale asbestos dust and enters your respiratory system, it can be fatal when enough asbestos accumulates. Fortunately, there are PPEs in the market that are specifically made to avoid this kind of situation. One of the PPE used for asbestos is a respirator.
How can respirator protect you?
Respirator is a kind of PPE that is worn for the purpose of covering your mouth and nose from hazardous contaminants, in this case asbestos. This equipment filters the air around the user and makes sure to clean hazardous particles to make it safe for inhalation. There are different types of respirator in the market today like:
- Disposable half-face respirator
- Re-usable half-face respirator
- Full-face respirator (cartridge)
- Full-face powered respirator (cartridge)
Depending on where you plan on using the respirator, it is advisable to get the proper equipment for the job because it can certainly save your life.
Wearing your Respirator properly
Having a respirator isn’t enough. You must make sure that you wear it properly to maximize the protection. It is useless to wear a respirator if you don’t know how to use it. Follow these guidelines:
- Make sure that the respirator fits you perfectly.
- If you inhale, the respirator will feel tighter on the face.
- If you exhale and block the exhalation valves, it should feel that there is a bulge. If not, there could be a leak on the mask. You should check thoroughly to make sure.
Respirators save lives
When working with a hazardous material like asbestos, it is wise to wear a respirator. There are a lot available in the market like SR100 silicone half face respirator which can help you in your work and will make you feel safe and secure. Remember that it is always better to be safe than sorry.