Draeger

Before you use a respirator, you should always do the following:

• Speak to your supervisor if there’s any reason why you can safely wear your respirator (such as a change in medical condition or facial hair that may affect the integrity of the seal).
• Use the respirator, filter, and cartridges as they have been assigned. They have been chosen because they will protect you from the hazards that may be there while you’re performing the task.
• Make sure the respirator is clean and in good condition before each use.

You also want to inspect any kind of Draeger respiratory equipment for the following:

• The condition of the parts for cracks, tears, holes, distortions, or warping.
• The tightness of the connections.
• The end-of-service life indicator (if it’s present) or shelf-life dates.
• The proper functioning of the alarms or any other warning systems (if they’re present).

You should know how to determine if the filters have reached their end-of-service ability, and don’t wear any respirator that you think is defective.

Millions of workers are required to wear respirators in a variety of workplaces throughout the country, because they can offer protection from areas that have inadequate oxygen levels as well any areas that may have harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays. These hazards can cause cancer, impairment of lung function, or even death. Being in compliance with the OSHA Respiratory Standard could prevent hundreds of deaths and thousands of illnesses every single year.

Many industrial facilities require their employees to work in hazardous areas where harmful substances are present or where the oxygen level and toxicity of the air can change at any time. These health hazards can cause lung damage or even disease. And in extreme cases, it can even be the cause of someone’s death. In these kinds of areas, using a Draeger SCBA or some other respiratory device will need to be used to keep people safe.

Having a single respirator that’s exclusively for the use of one employee will not only protect your workforce but will also improve productivity. A lot of work has been done to prevent the spread of contaminants, and this is an easy way to maintain that level of safety. You wouldn’t allow your team to share a tissue. So, why would you let them share a respirator?

Here are the two main types of respiratory equipment:

• Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPR’s) — They have a battery-powered blower that pulls air through attached filters, canisters, or cartridges and can protect you from gases, vapors, or particles when they’re properly equipped.
• Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA’s) — They're used for entering into or escaping from environments that are considered to be immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH). They have their own breathable air supply and can be either open or closed circuit.

If you’re looking for one of the best places to find Draeger respirators, be sure to browse through the broad selection we have at Engineer Supply.