Exposure to asbestos over an extended period can increase your risk of developing an asbestos-related illness, such as asbestosis or mesothelioma. Knowing that your life can be on the line, you might wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including respiratory protective equipment (RPE), to keep yourself safe.

However, if you’ve worked with asbestos, you might have a niggling thought about its efficacy in the back of your mind. How effective is respiratory protective equipment in limiting asbestos exposure? Learn more about what RPE is and what can contribute to making sure it provides the protection you need.

What Is Respiratory Protective Equipment?

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) are respirators that you fit over your face to stop you from breathing in potentially harmful asbestos fibres. There are many different options on the market, including disposable half-face respirators, reusable half-face respirators with cartridges, full-face respirators with cartridges, and full-face powered respirators with cartridges.

The type of respirator you choose can depend on your line of work and the tasks you will be performing. WorkSafe outlines some helpful information to ensure you make the right purchasing decision.

You can use a disposable or reusable half face-piece particulate respirator for jobs such as:  

• Erecting enclosures for undamaged asbestos materials

• Inspecting the condition of asbestos

• Sampling material for identification

• Working with asbestos cement (e.g., sawing or hand-drilling)

• Removing non-friable asbestos (e.g., vinyl tiles, ceiling tiles, and asbestos cement sheets)

A full face-piece particulate filter respirator is required for:

• Maintenance work near friable asbestos with no direct handling but possible disturbance

You will need a full face-piece particulate filter powered respirator, a full face-piece positive-pressure demand airline respirator, or a full suit or hood continuous flow airline respirator for:

• Maintenance work involving the removal of small quantities of friable asbestos, such as the replacement of insulation or gaskets

The Filters You Use

The filters you use in your RPE may play a role in just how effective it is. According to WorkSafe, you can use a P2 filter to stop 94% of airborne particles, which is suitable for unlicensed asbestos work.

For licensed asbestos work, you must use a P3 filter to stop 99.95% of airborne particles. The riskier the asbestos project, the higher your form of protection should be.

How You Look After Your RPE

Think about how poorly a car operates when you don’t inspect it, maintain it, or store it properly. The same general rules apply to RPE. If you fail to look after it, it may not be as effective as RPE that you do look after.

After each use, always clean and dry the respirator face-piece. Check the diaphragms, face-piece parts, and valves for any defects, and recharge batteries if you’re using a powered air respirator.

Once you have performed all necessary maintenance and cleaning, store your RPE in a clean, dry, sealed container. Never keep clean and unclean RPE together.

Fit Testing

According to studies, the most significant limitation of RPE is that you can only expect protection if you wear the equipment correctly. Carry out fit testing to ensure your RPE is as effective as it’s designed to be.

The fit testing process involves ensuring the seal between the face-piece of the respirator and your face is correct and meets the Australian New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1715:2009. When you can ensure a perfect seal, you stand a better chance of protecting yourself from hazardous substances, such as asbestos, fumes, dust, and chemicals.

There are two standard fit tests in New Zealand: qualitative and quantitative. The former is suitable for negative pressure air-purifying respirators in environments with hazards less than 10x the legal exposure standard in the average workplace.

During the fit test, you will be required to identify a smell or taste, breathe normally and heavily, and move around. During a quantitative fit test, special instruments will be used to test for leakages.

The Other PPE You Use

RPE is crucial for working with asbestos, but you may be able to enhance your safety at work by pairing your RPE with other PPE. Depending on the project, disposable overalls and boots, a hard hat, gloves, and eye protection may all be necessary additions.

The Company’s Dedication To Your Safety

Respiratory protective equipment is designed to be effective, but the company you work for may play a part in just how safe you are in the average asbestos-contaminated workplace. All PCBUs must:

• Supply, fund, and fit test your RPE

• Make you wear PPE when necessary

• Provide training in how to use your PPE and RPE safely

• Provide secure storage for your reusable PPE

• Set high standards

Protect Yourself With RPE and PPE

It’s easy to assume that the simple act of putting on an RPE is all it takes to keep yourself safe, but there can be more to it than that. Don’t underestimate the value of buying the most appropriate RPE for your needs, having it fit tested, and taking care of it.