Face Mask Half
Air-Purifying Respirators
The disposable face piece or the half-mask respirator fits over the nose but does not cover the whole face. A full face mask respirator does cover the whole face; the wartime ‘gas mask’ is of this type. A powered respirator has a fan to assist the flow of air through the filter.
Each type of respirator is available in three performance classifications. Thus, half-mask and full face mask respirators may be of the PI, P2, or P3 specification.
The filters available for respirators are of three types: (1) filters for particular gases and vapors only, (2) filters for dusts and other particulate materials, and (3) combination filters for particular gases and vapors and for dusts and other particulates.
As already stated, the air-purifying respirator differs fundamentally from the air-supplied RPE in that it is not itself a source of air and is therefore of little use
Employers must select, and provide to employees, the appropriate respirators specified in paragraph (d)(3) of 29 CFR 1910.134. They must provide employees with a full-face piece respirator instead of a half-mask respirator for protection against lead aerosols that may cause eye or skin irritation at the use concentrations. HEAP filters for powered and non powered air-purifying respirators must also be provided.
See Figure 4.3 for different types of respirators used in residential lead hazard control work. Figure 4.4 shows a worker in protective clothing while cleaning. It is important to vacuum all surfaces in the work area, including those that have been covered with plastic. The employer must provide a powered air-purifying
Respirator Selection: Where there is potential exists for exposures over 10 ppm; Use a NOSH/SHAM (US) or EN149 (Europe)-approved respirator with an organic vapor cartridge/canister. More protection is provided by a full face piece respirator than by a half-mask respirator, and even greater protection is provided by a powered-air purifying respirator. Where there is potential for high exposures exists, use a NOSH/SHAM (US) or EN149 (Europe)-approved supplied-air respirator with a full face piece operated in the positive-pressure mode, or with a full face piece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode; or use a NOSH/SHAM (US) or EN149 (Europe)-approved SCAB with a full face piece operated in pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode.
What Does Half Mask Mean?
A half-mask is a type of respirator that covers only part of the face. It is an item of personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to protect the respiratory tract from potentially harmful noxious substances. As a half mask, it does not cover the upper part of the face and therefore does not protect the eyes. It does not protect from head injuries of any kind to other parts of the head such as impact from falling objects.
Explains Half Mask
For eye protection, noise protection or head protection other safety equipment must be used in conjunction with a half mask. For eyes to be protected from noxious substances in the air a full mask, which covers the whole face, can be used. This has a transparent cover that engulfs the upper part of the face. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides regulations for testing and certifying powered and non powered respirators. Before choosing a respirator, it is important for business owners to perform a risk assessment and safety plan and consult NIOSH regulatory standards to help choose the appropriate PPE for a task.