Respiratory Protection

Protecting workers from respiratory hazards goes far beyond handing out masks, Stephanie Lynch says.

An estimated 5 million workers are required to wear respirators in 1.3 million U.S. workplaces every year, in an effort to protect against “insufficient oxygen environments, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays,” OSHA states.

In 2012, exposure to harmful substances resulted in 110 work-related deaths and more than 15,000 cases with days away from work, according to the 2015 edition of the National Safety Council chartbook, “Injury Facts.”

Compliance with OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard (1910.134) could prevent hundreds of deaths and thousands of illnesses every year, according to the agency. Below, experts highlight new technologies being used in the respiratory protection industry and offer tips.