RISK ASSESSMENT

RESPIRATORY HAZARDS COME IN MANY FORMS:

(1)         PARTICULATES

               Particulates include dusts (finely divided solid materials including  fibres), mists (liquid droplets, aerosols), fumes (thermally generated solid particles generated in extreme high heat e.g. welding and certain combustion and chemical processes), bacteria and virus.

(2)         GASES AND VAPOURS

               Materials in the atmosphere in the molecular state.  Vapour is the  gaseous phase of a material normally liquid at room temperature.

Some gases and vapours can enter the body through the skin in sufficient quantity to be toxic, however usually the most important route of entry into the body is through the lungs, whose delicate lining can be permeated or temporarily or permanently damaged by toxic materials.

A risk assessment is normally a legal requirement, for instantance under COSHH or other UK regulations or their international equivalents, where a hazard to  health is likely.  A risk assessment should always be written and kept on file and should show:

i.         What is the hazard and what are its likely health effect?

               Identify hazardous substances by scientific name and physical state.

ii.         What risk is associated with this hazard?

               This will entail assessing, and preferably measuring, airborne  contamination levels, and comparing the results with acceptable limits.  Acceptable limits may be set by statutory bodies (e.g. OES, MAK, TLV)  or arrived at by considering likely health effects of exposure.

iii.           How do you control the risk to an acceptable level?

               Options such as removing the source of hazard from the work area of applying engineering controls should always be implemented before resorting to RPE.

If RPE is chosen, it must:

(a)           Fit

(b)           Be compatible with the task

(c)           Be compatible with other PPE worn

(d)           Be suitable and adequate to control the risk (e.g. have sufficient protection, correct filters etc.)

(e)           Be approved (e.g. CE marked)

(f)            Be properly cleaned and maintained in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.

These are legal requirements and all should be considered as part of the written assessment.

They are the responsibility of the employer, who must manage the respiratory protection programme.  Of Course it is unlikely that an employer will have  the necessary expertise to carry out these tasks and they will be seeking advice from Occupational Hygiene Consultants (particularly for workplace monitoring)  and suppliers of chemicals, as well as safety equipment suppliers.  Equipment suppliers must ensure that information they give on their products is accurate and assists users in making an informed choice in selecting appropriate products, but employers must realise the ultimate responsibility is with them.