Mechanical Industry

Essential Guide to Respiratory Safety

Working in the mechanical engineering sector involves a number of specific risks, especially with regard to respiratory protection. Dust, fumes and vapours can endanger your health if you do not take the right precautions.
In this article, we look together at a practical checklist and useful tips for choosing and correctly using the most suitable respiratory protective equipment for different mechanical work.

Safety checklist for respiratory devices

Before starting any activity, it is essential to check the protective device:

• Device check: check that the PPE is intact, without cracks, holes or damaged parts. If there are deformations or signs of wear or the valves are not functioning correctly, the mask is not protecting as it should.
• Fit check: The respiratory protective device must fit tightly to the face. Remember that a proper fit is never guaranteed for people with beards and, if a full-face mask is used, normal goggles cannot be used as they would compromise the fit, but special inserts must be used.
• Compatibility check: ensure that the device is compatible with other PPE worn, such as helmets, headphones or visors. If other devices compromise the perfect fit to the face, there is a risk of exposure to contaminants.

[Read more in the dedicated article]

Recurrent work and associated risks

In the mechanical engineering sector, the most common processes present specific risks:

• Grinding
  Metal handling operations, such as grinding, are recognised and classified as those that pose the highest health risk. Among the respiratory diseases affecting the lungs, the most common and well-known are acute or chronic bronchitis and siderosis caused by the accumulation of metal dust during the grinding, finishing and polishing of materials.
• Welding
  Special attention must be paid to welding operations, due to the proximity of fume emissions to the operator, which are classified within Group 1 as carcinogenic. One aspect of particular relevance, in terms of aggressiveness to the welder's health, is the generation of nanoparticles, i.e. particles with a diameter of up to 0.001 μm, which are therefore destined to reach the alveoli.Several studies have shown that some nanoparticles can penetrate cells and tissues, move through the body and brain, and cause biochemical damage. In particular, the small size of nanoparticles has a behaviour that can be described as intermediate between that of gases and suspended particulate matter.
  

• Painting
  Other risks are related to the inhalation of paint areosols and solvent vapours during painting processes. The main occupational diseases of workers in this sector are respiratory diseases and in particular bronchial irritative diseases and bronchial asthma.

• Maintenance
  In maintenance operations, the operator is exposed to chemical risks from the use of aggressive cleaning agents and acids. Handling chemicals induces both acute and immediate risks due to high exposures, and chronic and delayed risks due to low but repeated exposures. In particular, with regard to the respiratory system, exposure to irritating and/or sensitising dusts and gaseous compounds and organic solvent vapours generates risks of allergic reactions, respiratory disorders from inflammation of the nasal and bronchial mucosa, and tumours.

To learn more about all the risks associated with different processes, please consult our comprehensive Safety Guide.

The Right Products for Every Job

Each of the above tasks requires the right protection!
Choosing the correct PPE is crucial to ensure protection and comfort:

For protection against metal dust, recommended devices are FFP3-protected filtering facepieces such as the BLS Zer0 series or alternatively reusable devices combined with P3 filters (BLS 200 b-lock and BLS 400 Universal) for maximum dust filtration.

BLS Zer0 Series Filtering Facepieces

As with grinding, welding work requires P3 protection. We particularly recommend the use of BLS 201 flat filters, which guarantee high compatibility with welding masks.

BLS 201 filters

For painting, the use of specific protection against vapours and solvents such as the BLS 8000next half mask with integrated filters is recommended.

Half mask BLS 8000next

To protect against chemical hazards during maintenance work, it is recommended to use combinations such as the BLS 5000 b-lock full face mask with combination filters from the BLS 200 series with ABEK P3 protection. Alternatively, the BLS 2000 Universal full face mask with filters from the BLS 400 series with ABEK P3 protection is also recommended for chemical protection. 

 BLS 5000 b-lock full face mask

Please refer to the following table for a detailed guide to selecting the right protection:

For further guidance on choosing the right devices, please contact us.  

Good habits for safe and effective use

It is not only necessary to choose the right protection, but also to use it in the correct way. In order to maintain the effectiveness of the device and protect yourself in the right way, it is important:

• Wear the device before entering the contaminated environment and remove it only after leaving, to avoid distorting the perception of the substance and to recognise the moment when the filter is exhausted.
   
• Carefully follow the donning instructions. On our YouTube channel you can find video tutorials for wearing BLS devices correctly.

• Perform a proper fitting check each time the mask is worn, ensuring that it fits snugly to the face.

• Correctly apply cleaning and maintenance rules to preserve the functionality of the respiratory PPE.

Comfort and safety during long shifts

Another aspect that should not be underestimated is the comfort of the device. Devices that are uncomfortable or hinder the operator's work are disadvantageous and often risk not being worn. Therefore, working long hours with a respiratory protective device requires a balance between protection and comfort.

It is important to choose a device commensurate with the real risk: maximum protection, if not necessary, is not necessarily the best choice. Excessive protection can be disadvantageous in terms of weight and comfort. 

Another aspect to consider is the breathability of the devices: less breathing resistance means less fatigue during the shift. One example is our BLS Zer0 33 filtering facepiece, which has a water vapour transmission ratio of 3380 g/m². This results in less moisture stagnation inside the facepiece, reducing fatigue during prolonged use and greatly improving comfort, without compromising the level of protection.

[Read more in the dedicated article]

Another risk to consider is heat-stress: a physical condition that occurs when the body, exposed to a hot environment or prolonged exertion, can no longer disperse heat effectively. In mechanical work, especially in closed, hot or poorly ventilated environments, wearing respiratory protective equipment can amplify this condition.

To respond to this real and widespread criticality, BLS has developed BLS Zer0 32 Active the first FFP3 filtering mask with Active Shield. The Active Shield is the innovative air extraction valve for BLS Zer0 32 Active FFP3 masks, which ensures optimal breathing comfort, thanks to an adaptive fan that reduces humidity and extracts CO2 ensuring maximum freshness during use. 

Finally, another aspect that can improve the comfort of devices is the right choice of materials. Some of our products are available in two different materials: silicone or thermoplastic rubber (TPE). Silicone is a material that is very soft and pleasant to the touch. It has important characteristics of non-deformability and resistance to high temperatures, and has higher requirements for resistance to the aggression of organic compounds, such as solvents. TPE has a slightly less soft surface, but is easily mouldable and therefore cheaper, and is also more easily recyclable. It also has excellent resistance to acids and bases.

[Read more in the dedicated article]

Safety in mechanical work also depends on awareness and the correct use of respiratory protective equipment. By following a precise checklist, choosing the right PPE for each task and adopting good habits, health and comfort can be ensured even in the most demanding contexts.

BLS is by your side with products and guides for effective and comfortable protection, always.

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