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Mine Type: All Mines Category:   Personal Protective Equipment
Mine Safety and Health Administration
MSHA's Occupational Illness and Injury Prevention Program
Health Ideas

"Wear Your Personal Protective Equipment, And Keep it Clean!"

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In addition to the use of engineering and administrative controls to reduce exposures to permissible levels, personal protective equipment (PPE) is used to supplement these measures. In fact, for a few occupations, PPE may be your only means of protection. The following tips are for the use of respiratory protection in the mining industry.

Respirators
  • To protect yourself from hazardous atmospheres, carefully evaluate your environment and the task to be performed.


  • Choose the appropriate respirator to protect you against the hazard and anticipated exposure levels:


    • Single-use vs. half-facepiece vs. full-facepiece
    • Air-purifying vs. atmosphere-supplying.


  • Use the correct cartridge: dust vs. mist vs. organic vapor vs. combination.


  • Be sure that the cartridges are not expired.
  • Contact your Respiratory Protection Program Coordinator for assistance.


  • Always inspect your respirator before use. Alert your supervisor and replace your respirator if you find a crack, puncture, tear, leak, or unusual condition.


  • Be sure you are trained in the use and maintenance of the respiratory protection.


  • Clean and maintain respirators per the manufacturer's instructions.


  • Check the facepiece-to-face seal each time you wear your respirator. Proper facepeice fit is critical.


  • Shave your face. Facial hair (and head bands, bandannas or other objects that interfere with the seal) must be removed prior to wearing your respirator.


Issued: 03/20/2003
Tag # AP2002-H0020


If you have a tip you would like to pass on, you can e-mail it to MinersTips@msha.gov. If your tip is selected, you will receive credit in this space.



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