Next-Gen Respiratory Protection

© Lubo Ivanko – stock.adobe.com

Trends & Innovations to Keep Workers Safe

Even before wearing face masks became a global norm, you were ahead of the curve and familiar with using respiratory protection. You may have even been lucky enough to have access to a good stash of masks during the pandemic because of your line of work.

Whether you wear respiratory protection daily for work or you’re the manager in charge of overseeing safety compliance—you know how vital PPE is for your health. OSHA requires employers to provide adequate protection to their employees, and that includes respirators when needed.

Often seen as the gold standard for respiratory protection, N-95 masks are incredibly efficient at keeping harmful particles out of workers’ lungs. More sophisticated respirators offer enhanced filtration features, comfort and better sustainability.

We haven’t always had such great options, though.

Regular N-95s cover the needs of most workers. These masks were created to protect workers, and they do an excellent job, but they have limits. Workers exposed to gasses, oil particles or vapors need something else. © Dontree – stock.adobe.com

Evolution of Respiratory Protection

Today’s respirators are highly sophisticated compared to the first recorded ones, which the Roman philosopher Pliny the Elder crafted out of animal bladders. Famed artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci took things a step further and used wet rags over his face to prevent harmful chemicals from being inhaled. By the 19th century, scientists had learned more about what kind of protection was necessary to prevent respiratory diseases, and the masks worn at that time more closely resembled modern versions.

Research continued for decades, partly due to a demand for military equipment to be updated enough to provide adequate protection to soldiers during wartime. Still, it would be many years before respirators became small and portable enough to carry easily.

Now, workers can feel safer using either an N-95 mask or another modern option without the bulk of respirators from history.

Current Challenges in Respiratory Safety

During the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the largest challenges industries faced in respiratory protection was supply. Seemingly overnight, the entire world was in desperate demand of face masks, and workers across many fields were left without the protection they needed.

This prompted a few things to happen. One, companies that typically did not carry those types of products started manufacturing and selling masks. Two, research kicked up to find other respiratory protection options that could be easily and quickly developed.

Now that manufacturers are able to keep up with a more regulated demand, there are still other challenges for workers who need to preserve their lung health.

Finding the Right Protection

For starters, an N-95 mask may not be enough protection for you and your workers, depending on the type of work and what workers are exposed to. Ensuring you have access to the right respirator is critical to your health and safety. Some workers may need more extensive protections.

Getting the Proper Fit

Regardless of what kind of respirator you use, you need it to be properly fitted to your face in order to ensure maximum effectiveness. Even with an N-95, if your mask isn’t fitted correctly, it’s not able to do its job. Workers with beards often find it difficult to get a secure fit, because the hair presents an obstacle, so discouraging facial hair may be in order.

Worker Compliance

As frustrating as it is, some workers struggle to follow the proper guidance for wearing PPE, including respirators. It’s paramount to their safety that they follow the recommendations. Incentivizing compliance and having consequences in place for those who do not wear proper protection can help.

Workers want comfort when it comes to PPE, and your team deserves to be comfortable even while wearing a respirator. New options that maximize comfort are emerging. © chanjaok1 – stock.adobe.com

Cutting-Edge Innovations

If you need more advanced respirators for your line of work, there’s good news: Technology has kept up with the needs of workers, and there are excellent options on the market.

Regular N-95s are great and cover the needs of most workers. These masks were created to protect workers, and they do an excellent job of it. They do have limits—if you’re exposed to gasses, oil particles or vapors at work, you’ll need something else.

These days, you can find innovative respirators, like military-grade gas masks, available to buy online. Most people won’t have a need for something that extreme, though.

Elastomeric respirators are excellent, more sustainable options. They’re reusable and just need to be cleaned between uses. The filters are replaceable, and there are variations that cover the entire face, offering eye coverage and a better seal.

Future Outlook: Emerging Trends

Recent research has shown that respiratory disease is on the rise, and that means manufacturers are taking the opportunity to innovate and expand their respiratory protection offerings. As demand grows due to health needs, one important factor is the affordability of respirators. New, more affordable options are needed to meet the demand of people in lower income brackets who still require respiratory protection.

Workers want comfort when it comes to PPE, and your team deserves to be comfortable even while wearing a respirator. New options that maximize comfort are emerging; but for now, you can help by making sure everyone on your staff is properly fitted with the right respiratory equipment.

Some of the most exciting trends in respiratory protection that you can expect to see become available in the next few years include:

  • Some companies have developed respirators designed to be more breathable, comfortable and easier to wear long-term than current masks on the market. They’re reusable and boast a quad-flow cartridge system, which has never been done. These respirators are expected to be excellent options for workers, because they include a speaking diaphragm that makes it easier to communicate with coworkers.
  • Air-purifying respirators are available today, but are not as widely used, due to bulkiness and difficulty in workplaces. As research continues, you can expect to see more convenient versions of air-purifying respirators that will be more portable and reliable for workers.

Conclusion

As a professional in a dangerous industry, you’re keenly aware of how critical respiratory protection is for your workers. Staying on top of the latest in protective gear is part of keeping your team safe. You won’t regret keeping up with trends as new technologies surface. IHW

For more information about OSHA’s recommendations for respiratory protection, check out this handy guide at https://www.osha.gov/respiratory-protection/general. You’ll find information on how to wear a respirator correctly, proper usage, storage, disposal and more. Your employees will thank you for putting their safety first.

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