Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) comes in different shapes and varieties, depending on the kind of protection a worker needs. Under certain circumstances, a respirator can be lifesaving or increase the chances of well being for a worker. However, for this PPE component to do its job effectively, it is imperative to pick the right air-purifying respirator! 

If you are selecting one for the first time, you might be feeling overwhelmed. What with so many options available to choose from, you may find it hard to recognize what you actually need. If your workers regularly handle welding jobs, then they will need a Respirator Mask for their safety. That’s because welding produces certain fumes and gases that can cause serious illness. These fumes could be mixtures of metallic silicates, oxides, and fluorides.

Of course, the kind of protection they would need will depend on the following factors:

The duration of exposure

The frequency of exposure

The type of work being done

The materials being used, including rods, coatings, metals etc.

The presence of contaminants

The extent of ventilation 

A Respirator Mask will prevent welding fumes from being breathed into the lungs.  That’s why, your workers won’t be safe from harm without the use of a good quality Welding Respirator. When you are shopping for one, keep the following points in mind:

A reusable respirator will be more cost effective for you, especially if your workers do a lot of welding

The respirator should be compact and lightweight. If it is too cumbersome or doesn’t allow them to breathe comfortably, the workers won’t be too likely to wear it

You may have to add multiple filter cartridges, such as 3M 2097 or 3M 2297, for effective protection

Look for a mask that comes with enhanced durability for a product that will last longer

A Welding Respirator should protect against a wide range of hazardous fumes because the workers are likely to be exposed to the following fume types:

Stainless and Galvanized Steel

Manganese

Lead

Aluminum

Copper

Nickel

Cadmium

Iron Oxide

Lead

Beryllium 

A Respirator Mask is an essential aspect of personal safety. As an employer, you will be held responsible for the safety of your workers. Make sure that you don’t leave out this important component out of the equation!