By Annabelle Holman
Respirators refer to devices designed and used for protection against inhalation of harmful air or airborne particles such as fumes, dust, gasses, and vapors. N95 respirators are one of the many varieties of respirators on the market. They are meant for general use. They can be used by the public, health workers, industrial workers, or in workplaces that require workers to protect themselves against harmful substances and gasses. There are other brands that are more suited for use by military personnel and other heavy users.
N95 respirator is a disposable type of air filtering device with the ability to filter particles as small as 0.1 microns in diameter. The filter efficiency is also considerably high at about 95 percent. There are instructions concerning wearing the device that the user must follow to ensure maximum protection. For instance, the user must check to ensure that the piece fits well on the face before getting in the area of work.
Manuals that accompany the products usually specify all necessary seal checks and dressing procedures. Different manufacturers make the products in different ways hence a user should not think that the seal checks and donning procedures remain the same in all brands. Reading the manual is important. Contamination and exposures are common among individuals who ignore the manuals. Damages or soiling can make an article hard to breathe through. Such articles should be replaced immediately.
These devices need to be used in many different situations. Some of the most common users are researchers, animal handlers, and health care workers who are required by protocol to wear respirators. Some employers also require their employees to wear these items at all times or during certain moments while at the place of work. In the US, there is an annual training and fit test for all employees who are required to use the device by their employers.
An individual does not have to attend the training physically. There are sites that offer online training to the public. An inspector can be called to conduct a fit test after completing the online training. This type of respirator is meant for one-time usage hence must be disposed properly after removing. Certain jurisdictions consider it an offence to re-use the item.
These devices have certain limitations associated with them that users should be aware of. The use of an N95 respirator for instance does not provide protection against certain substances such as chemicals. Efficiency can also be reduced with the facial hair between the face and the sealing surface on the device. Hazards such as asbestos, silica, and lead cannot be protected against using a respirator of this kind.
There are also certain concentration levels beyond which the device should not be used. For example, if the infectious substance has a concentration ten times the specified limit, the equipment cannot be of any use. In cases where exposures do not exceed the lowest limit for which the equipment must be worn, the employee may decide to wear it voluntarily.
Users are discouraged from touching the exterior of the device after leaving contaminated scenes. This is because contaminants stick of the surfaces. Proper hand washing should be done afterwards.
N95 respirator is a disposable type of air filtering device with the ability to filter particles as small as 0.1 microns in diameter. The filter efficiency is also considerably high at about 95 percent. There are instructions concerning wearing the device that the user must follow to ensure maximum protection. For instance, the user must check to ensure that the piece fits well on the face before getting in the area of work.
Manuals that accompany the products usually specify all necessary seal checks and dressing procedures. Different manufacturers make the products in different ways hence a user should not think that the seal checks and donning procedures remain the same in all brands. Reading the manual is important. Contamination and exposures are common among individuals who ignore the manuals. Damages or soiling can make an article hard to breathe through. Such articles should be replaced immediately.
These devices need to be used in many different situations. Some of the most common users are researchers, animal handlers, and health care workers who are required by protocol to wear respirators. Some employers also require their employees to wear these items at all times or during certain moments while at the place of work. In the US, there is an annual training and fit test for all employees who are required to use the device by their employers.
An individual does not have to attend the training physically. There are sites that offer online training to the public. An inspector can be called to conduct a fit test after completing the online training. This type of respirator is meant for one-time usage hence must be disposed properly after removing. Certain jurisdictions consider it an offence to re-use the item.
These devices have certain limitations associated with them that users should be aware of. The use of an N95 respirator for instance does not provide protection against certain substances such as chemicals. Efficiency can also be reduced with the facial hair between the face and the sealing surface on the device. Hazards such as asbestos, silica, and lead cannot be protected against using a respirator of this kind.
There are also certain concentration levels beyond which the device should not be used. For example, if the infectious substance has a concentration ten times the specified limit, the equipment cannot be of any use. In cases where exposures do not exceed the lowest limit for which the equipment must be worn, the employee may decide to wear it voluntarily.
Users are discouraged from touching the exterior of the device after leaving contaminated scenes. This is because contaminants stick of the surfaces. Proper hand washing should be done afterwards.
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