Respiratory protective equipment explained

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE), also called protective breathing equipment (PBE) in the US,^[1] is a form of personal protective equipment designed to protect the wearer from a variety of airborne hazards in the form of a gas, fume, mist, dust or vapour. Respirators filter the air to remove harmful particles and alongside the breathing apparatus (BA) provides clean air for the worker to breathe.^{[2] [3]}

UK legislation

RPE is covered by a number of UK laws including:

• Personal Protective Equipment Regulations, 2002 ^[4]
• Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974^[5]
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.^[6]

The Health and Safety Executive advises that RPE should be appropriate for the needs of the wearer, the task they are undertaking and the environment in which it takes place.^{[7] [8]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: 14 CFR § 25.1439 - Protective breathing equipment . www.law.cornell.edu . 2 August 2023 .
2. http://ppe-news.co.uk/rpe/ RPE
3. Web site: What is RPE? . www.hse.gov.uk . 12 July 2023 .
4. Health and Safety Executive, ppe
5. Health and Safety Executive, hswa
6. Health and Safety Executive, coshh
7. Health and Safety Executive, How do I choose he right respiratory protective equipment (RPE)?, accessed 20 June 2020
8. Web site: Supplier of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), workwear, consumables, safety equipment, janitorial products and safety signage . 2023-03-14 . tiger-supplies.co.uk.