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A filter is not for life… but your lungs are
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October 2007
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New research suggests that the health and safety of employees working with reusable respirators is being put at risk due to a lack of understanding – both by users and their employers – of the need to regularly change the filters attached to the mask.
In some cases, companies may have inadequate systems in place to ensure that filters are changed regularly, while in other organisations a lack of proper training can leave employees unsure of when a change should be made.
Respirators with changeable filters are used across a wide range of industries, with the filters used falling into three categories:
- Particle filters: These protect against particles such as dust, mists and fumes, aerosols, mould and bacteria
- Gas and vapour cartridge filters: These protect against gases and vapours, with different kinds of cartridge filters available for different types of gases
- Combination filters: These protect against both particles and gases and vapours, with different combinations available depending on the gas or vapour present in the air.
The need to ensure that the user of the respirator has the training and knowledge they need to make these crucial decisions about when to change filters is highlighted by the new research carried out on behalf of 3M, which manufactures a range of reusable respirators and filters.
The survey analysed responses from 553 companies that use respirators across the full range of industry sectors. The results showed that the majority of employees wear half or full face masks for less than one hour at a time. 71% said they had procedures in place for regularly checking their respirator for signs of wear and tear, and 40% of respondents incorporate checks into other regular procedures – 25% use written record cards, and 16% mark the respirator to indicate the date it was first used to show its age.
In the majority of cases (63%), it is the employee who decides when to replace the respirator itself, with 35% of such decisions made by the company health and safety function, and 13% made by maintenance personnel.
When it comes to replacing filters, the onus is even more on the employee, with 76% of users deciding when to replace filters, compared to 28% of decisions made by a supervisor, 25% by health and safety, and 18% in line with a set company policy – companies had the option to select more than one method, suggesting that checks and balance are in place across multiple functions in many organisation.
The survey also asked for a list of factors driving the decision to change filters. 40% mentioned when breathing resistance increases, 40% when the hazard can be smelt or tasted, and 30% in accordance with company procedures. However, 43% of respondents stated that one of the factors used to decide when to change the filter is whether it looks old, dirty, or worn. This method is misleading as filters do not always need changing when they are dirty, some environments mean that the filters will look dirty very quickly but still be performing. This result emphasises the need for training backed by robust health and safety procedures.
Alan McArthur of 3M’s technical support team said: “The findings of the survey are potentially a cause for real concern. Where the decision of whether a filter in a reusable respirator is being left to the employee using it, that individual needs the training necessary to make the decision before their safety is compromised.
“Where companies don’t have set procedures and timescales in place for regular filter changes, or where it is not clear where the responsibility for the decision lies, then employees could be at risk.”
To help with correct filter selection and use, 3M has produced a number of tools including: a filter selector wheel, flowchart posters and an online filter selector to help with selection of filters. Other tools include education materials such as posters and toolbox talk presentations remind employees why and when to exchange filters, and record cards and tick sheets to help put the necessary checks in place to maintain masks appropriately.
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Author
Chris Rowlands
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