Any environment where people are exposed to harmful inhalants demands an appropriate level of caution in protecting the sensitive respiratory system from irritants, particles, chemicals, and viruses, which may result in illness, death and/or permanent disability.

Making safety a priority in the modern workplace has become a legal requirement, not just in terms of the long-term welfare of workers but also potential liability if rigorous health and safety standards are not properly adhered to.

Choosing the right mask for the right area of application is equally important, as much as ensuring that stringent quality, health and safety standards are met at all times.

HOW TO CHOOSE
THE RIGHT MASK

Various work environments place different demands on a face mask, from simple dust filtration to hazardous materials to protection from airborne viruses. U-Mask offers a risk assessment service to advise our clients on the proper respiratory protection for their needs.

It is recommended to conduct a hazard assessment to identify potential risks and how they can be mitigated by protection classes, then move onto considerations such as fit and comfort.

MASK GUIDELINES
PROTECTION CLASSES

The mask classifying system consists of three FFP (Filtering Facepiece) protection classes, which are the definitive minimum requirements in terms of Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs)*: the average concentration of a substance in the air, up to which no damage (chronic or acute) is to be expected if an employee works up to eight hours a day for five days a week.

The table below serves as a broad guide to the various protection classes, but it is both the employers’ and the wearers’ responsibility to ensure the right FFP class is determined for hazardous and concentrated environments before use!

DUSTS
Fine airborne particles – formed when solid matter is broken down.

MISTS
Tiny liquid droplets – formed by condensation or through processes like spraying.

METAL FUMES
Fine airborne metal particles – formed after metal vaporised at high temperatures condenses.

GASSES
Any substance in its gaseous state – often odourless and invisible, spread freely through the air.

VAPOURS
Any substance suspended in the air – often through evaporation, usually still in a liquid or solid state.