Respirator masks are a form of respiratory protection PPE that protects the wearer from inhaling harmful airborne particles, gases or vapours that are present in the environment. The respirator mask allows workers to carry out tasks safely in an environment that would otherwise be deemed as a too higher risk to perform tasks.
RS offers a range of respiratory mask from half to full face masks and supplies industry-leading protection that meets the required safety standards from top brands such as 3M, JSP, Molex and our very own quality brand RS PRO.
A respirator mask may be the single most important piece of health and safety gear for chemical or lab environments, oil & gas engineers, machine operators, toxic waste cleaners, spray painters, carpentry & welders and typically used across various industries such as general manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, pharmaceutical, utility, DIY and more.
Respirators work by either filtering particulates out of air as it is breathed in through a material filter, chemically cleaning (purifying) the air or providing clean air from an external source. Particulate respirators are used in applications such as construction and destruction to filter out particles, with different ratings of respirators available to filter particulates like brick dust up to harmful materials such as asbestos.
The mask's main body is reusable, whereas the filters should be replaced when exhausted and as recommended by the manufacturer guidelines. The filters must be specifically chosen based on the hazard that is present.A respirator is designed to form a tight seal that covers either the wearer's entire face (full mask) or covers the mouth and nose (half mask).
Wearers should only use masks that have been accurately fitted using a face fit testing kit to ensure the mask is safely fitted. It is important to follow all pertinent instructions and health & safety best practices to ensure the maximum safety of all people present.
Half mask respirators cover only the nose and mouth and are more cost effective, while full masks cover the entire face and can be more expensive. While both masks may have the same grade of filter, a full-face mask has the benefit of sealing around the entire face, creating a more secure seal and protecting the eyes and facial skin from vapours or splashing. The full-face mask option is often a better choice for potentially more hazardous conditions as they offer more comprehensive coverage and protection.