Respiratory Protection Guide

Speedglas™ offers two different types of respirators

The 3M™ Adflo™ powered respirator and the Fresh-air C (compressed air) system. This general guide helps to determine the appropriate respiratory protection.

Protection factor indicates pollutant reduction

Personal respiratory protective equipment in combination with forced ventilation and fume extractors is recommended to guarantee adequate air quality at the workplace! The two key factors when choosing a respirator are: the airborne contaminants and their concentration levels.

Respirators are classified by type and by the protection factor they provide. The protection factor of the respirator indicates how much the concentration of the pollutant is reduced (or filtered from the air) before it reaches the user.

For example:
A manufacturer of galvanized fences measures 25 mg/m³ of zinc oxide in the workplace air. The legal OEL is only 5 mg/m³. The airborne zinc oxide exposure to the welder, therefore, must be reduced by a factor of 5 (25 mg/m³ divided by 5 = 5 mg/m³). A respirator with a minimum protection factor of 5 is required.

How to use this guide

Identify the material to be welded and the welding process to be used. The concentration level of the pollutants are affected by the ventilation conditions in the workplace. Choose the appropriate description of the working environment to determine the most suitable respiratory protection*.

= Adflo particle filter = Adflo gas filter = Fresh-air C Good working environment with forced ventilation Working environment with limited ventilation Confined Space (after suitable risk assessment to AS/NZS2865 & AS/NZS1715) Aluminium MIG TIG Stick welding + + + Stainless steel MIG TIG Stick welding Plasma (welding and cutting) + + + + / Steel not coated or painted MIG/MAG Stick welding Plasma (welding and cutting) / Steel painted MIG/MAG Stick welding Plasma (welding and cutting) / Steel galvanised MIG/MAG Stick welding Plasma (welding and cutting) / Steel painted and/or isolated MIG/MAG Stick welding Plasma (welding and cutting) Material cleaned with trichloroethylene MIG TIG Stick welding Plasma (welding and cutting) + + + + + / + + + Working environment classified as IDLH Adflo™ and Fresh-air C must never be used in atmospheres Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH). Always consult your Safety Engineer. *) Australian Welding Supplies accepts no liability for the incorrect choice of respiratory protective equipment. This chart represents a general guide ONLY and it is the responsibility of the purchaser of respiratory equipment to ensure that the fume hazards in the workspace are adequatedly monitored and that an audit of the toxicity of the fume components is completed. A detailed, informed choice of the appropriate protection can only be made with an accurate knowledge of the hazards, occupational exposure limits and the equipment specification.