Respiratory Protection
Industrial respiratory protection equipment (RPE) shields workers from inhaling hazardous airborne substances like dust, gases, fumes, and vapors, ranging from simple disposable masks (N95) to complex Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). RPE works by filtering contaminants (air-purifying) or supplying clean air (atmosphere-supplying) and is crucial when engineering controls fail, requiring careful selection for fit, hazard type, and task, ensuring protection without hindering work or adding undue burden.