24 Sep Mesothelioma Awareness Day: Why Respiratory Protection Matters
Mesothelioma Awareness Day is an important reminder of the devastating consequences that exposure to asbestos can have — often many decades after the exposure took place.
Mesothelioma is a cancer primarily affecting the lining of the lungs and is strongly associated with exposure to asbestos fibres. Although asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, it remains present in many buildings constructed or refurbished before 2000.
That means asbestos is not simply a problem of the past.
Who could still be at risk?
Anyone carrying out work that disturbs the fabric of an older building could potentially encounter asbestos-containing materials.
This can include construction and maintenance workers, electricians, plumbers, heating engineers, joiners, roofers, decorators and other trades.
The danger is not necessarily obvious. Asbestos fibres are extremely small and can become airborne when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed. They cannot be seen with the naked eye, and exposure may occur without a worker realising it.
This is why asbestos must be properly identified and the risks assessed before work begins.
RPE and asbestos – getting it right matters
Where a risk assessment determines that Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is required as part of the control measures, simply providing somebody with a mask is not enough.
The RPE must be:
- Suitable for the hazard, task and level of exposure
- Capable of providing the required level of protection
- Compatible with any other PPE being worn
- Properly maintained and used
- Correctly fitted to the individual wearer
For tight-fitting respiratory protective equipment, face fit testing is an essential part of ensuring that the selected mask can form an adequate seal against the wearer’s face.
A respirator that does not fit correctly can allow contaminated air to leak around the seal rather than pass through the filter.
Face fit testing isn’t the same as putting on a mask
A common misconception is that if a mask feels tight, it must fit.
Unfortunately, it isn’t that simple.
People have different face shapes and sizes, which means a particular make, model or size of respirator may fit one person well but provide an inadequate seal on somebody else.
A face fit test helps establish whether a particular tight-fitting RPE facepiece is suitable for an individual wearer.
Workers should also be trained to correctly put on their RPE and carry out a pre-use fit check every time it is worn.
Facial hair in the sealing area can also prevent tight-fitting RPE from achieving an effective seal.
RPE should never be the first line of defence
It is equally important to remember that wearing respiratory protection does not make it safe to disturb asbestos.
The first priority should always be to prevent or adequately control exposure. Appropriate asbestos management, identification, risk assessment, safe systems of work and other control measures must come first.
RPE forms part of those controls where required — it should not be used as a substitute for them.
Certain asbestos work also requires specialist training and may need to be undertaken by a licensed asbestos contractor.
Protection today can matter decades from now
One of the particularly devastating aspects of mesothelioma is the long period between asbestos exposure and the development of disease.
That is why the precautions taken during seemingly routine work today matter.
Employers need to ensure workers understand the hazards they may encounter and have suitable control measures, equipment, training and face fit testing in place where required.
Workers also need to understand why those controls matter.
How Training and Testing Services can help
At Training and Testing Services, respiratory protection is one of our specialist areas.
We provide:
Face Fit Testing
Qualitative and quantitative face fit testing to help ensure tight-fitting RPE is suitable for the individual wearer.
RPE Training
Helping employees understand the correct selection, use, fitting, checking, maintenance and limitations of respiratory protective equipment.
Face Fit Train the Tester Courses
Training for organisations wishing to develop competent face fit testers within their own workforce.
Our experienced team provides training and testing for organisations across the UK, either at our training centres or at customer sites.
Don’t leave respiratory protection to chance
Mesothelioma Awareness Day is an opportunity to remember those affected by asbestos-related disease, but it should also prompt organisations to consider how exposure is being prevented today.
If your employees need to wear tight-fitting RPE, make sure the equipment is suitable, they know how to use it correctly and the fit has been properly tested.
Need advice about RPE training or face fit testing? Contact Training and Testing Services to discuss your requirements.
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