Respiratory protection (lungs)

One of the most important hazards faced by the bodyshop worker is that of potential damage to the lungs. Respirators are usually needed in body repair shops even though adequate ventilation is provided for the working areas. During welding,metal or paint prepa- ration,or spraying,some form of protection is necessary. Under the COSHH Regulations,respiratory protection is essential and therefore must be used.
Respirators give protection against abrasive dusts, gases,vapours from caustic solutions and solvents, and spray mist from undercoats and finishing paint, by filtering the contaminated atmosphere before it is inhaled by the wearer. They may be either simple filtering devices,where the operator’s lungs are used to draw air through the filter,or powered devices incorporating a battery-driven fan to draw contaminated air through the filters and deliver a flow of clean air to the wearer’s face. There are four primary types of respirator available to protect the bodyshop technicians:dust respirators,cartridge filter respirators,powered respirators,and constant-flow air line breathing apparatus.

Dust respirators (masks)
The most basic form of respiratory protection is thedisposable filtering half-mask,typically used whenpreparing or finishing bodywork such as by rubbingdown or buffing,and where dust,mist and fumes area problem. This face mask provides an excellentface seal while at the same time allowing the wearerto speak freely without breaking the seal. Breathingresistance is minimal,offering cool and comfortableuse. Various types of mask are available for use in avariety of environments where contaminants varyfrom nuisance dust particles to fine dusts and toxicmists. These masks can only be used in atmospherescontaining less than the occupational exposure limitof the contaminant (Figure 2.6a,b).

Cartridge filter mask
The cartridge filter or organic vapour type of respirator,which covers the nose and mouth,is equipped with a replacement cartridge that removes the organic vapours by chemical absorption. Some of these are also designed with a pre-filter to removesolid particles from the air before the air passesthrough the chemical cartridge. They are used in finishing operations with non-toxic paints,but not with isocyanate paints. For the vapour/particle respirator to function correctly it is essential that it fits properly against the face. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for changing the cartridges when spraying over a continuous period (Figure 2.7a,b).

Powered respirators
Powered respirators using canister filters offer protection against toxic dusts and gases. The respirator draws contaminated air through filters with a motor fan powered by a rechargeable battery and supplies clean air to the wearer’s face. This avoids discomfort and fatigue caused by theeffort of having to inhale air through filters,permitting longer working periods. These devices find great use both in the spray shop and in therepair shop when carrying out welding (Figure 2.8a,b).Powered respirators
Constant-flow air line breathing apparatus
The constant-flow compressed air line breathing apparatus is designed to operate from an industrial compressed air system in conjunction with the spray gun. Using a waist-belt-mounted miniature fixed-pressure regulator and a pre-filter,the equipment supplies breathing quality air through a small-bore hose to a variety of face masks and visors to provide respiratory protection for paint spraying (such as with isocyanates),cleaning and grinding (Figure 2.9a,b). The COSHH Regulations have made it mandatory for all respiratory protection equipment to be both approved and suitable for the purpose,for the operatives to be correctly trained in the equipment’s use and maintenance, and for proper records to be kept.