Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) : Offshore Coshh Essentials

Health and Safety
Executive
OCM Respiratory protective

equipment (RPE)
Offshore
COSHH Control approach 4
essentials Special advice
This information will help offshore What this sheet covers

dutyholders (owners, operators and This sheet describes good practice for selecting respiratory protective
contractors) to comply with the Control equipment (RPE).
of Substances Hazardous to Health
Regulations 2002 (COSHH), as amended, to When to use RPE
protect workers’ health. 3 RPE is not a substitute for engineering controls. It is uncomfortable to
use, expensive in the longer run, and always fails to danger. However,
This guidance consolidates good control some processes need RPE, eg:
practice and reinforces existing knowledge n installing engineering control;
with additional information. It will help n clearing up a spillage;
you carry out COSHH assessments, review n maintenance;
existing assessments, deliver training n emergencies;
and in supervising activities involving n cleaning, eg pressure washing;
substances hazardous to health. n a short-term one-off procedure; and
n whenever required for safe working.
It is aimed at staff whose responsibilities

include the management of substances Managing RPE
hazardous to health on offshore 3 Ask the RPE supplier or occupational hygiene consultant for help.
installations (eg occupational health 3 Get safety data sheets for all chemical products.
specialists, COSHH assessors, supervisors 3 Put in place a management system for the correct selection, use and
etc). It is also useful for trade union and maintenance of PPE.
employee safety representatives. 3 Make sure all PPE you require can be worn and used together.
3 Control the provision and timely replacement of PPE.
Following the guidance is not compulsory
Caution: RPE can reduce visibility, limit communication and increase heat
and you are free to take other action. But
stress.
if you do follow this guidance you will
normally be doing enough to comply with
the law. Health and safety inspectors seek
3 Where personal alarms are provided, these must be fully charged and
working properly.
to secure compliance with the law and
may refer to this guidance as illustrating
3 Personal alarms should be mounted in the worker’s breathing zone.
good practice.
3 You need to know the potential challenge to select the type of RPE
with the right level of protection (UK assigned protection factor = 4, 10,
20, 40 or 2000).
If you need a service provider (eg
consultant), OCM sheets describe what
3 Plan and carry out face-fit testing (see ‘Further information’) for all mask
wearers.
they should deliver.
3 RPE must be CE marked. The basic types are:
n filtering respirators relying only on lung power;
You may need help from a RPE supplier
n fan-assisted filtering respirators;
or manufacturer, or from an occupational
n constant flow or demand breathing apparatus (BA).
hygienist.
3 Fill in the RPE selection table below. Show it to your RPE supplier.
3 Powered or air-fed RPE is more comfortable to wear.
Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) OCM4 Special advice
3 Any air supplied to breathing apparatus must be fit to breathe, free of

oil, water and other contaminants, and checked regularly.
Using RPE
3 Wearers must be medically fit to wear RPE.
3 RPE users need:
n initial and repeat fit testing for RPE masks;
n the right type and size of RPE for them personally;
n training to check the fit every time, to wear RPE correctly and to
recognise defects;
n any necessary instruction in cleaning and maintenance;
n to guard against tangling or mis-connection of BA air lines.
3 RPE must be worn the whole time while in the contaminated area, until
the wearer is in clean air.
3 If RPE depends on a face seal, the worker must be clean shaven.
3 Keep RPE clean and store it in a clean place.
3 Change respirator filters and valves as recommended by the
manufacturer.
3 Depending on the hazards present, respirators may need a
combination filter to cope with both dust and vapour.
Caution: For filtering RPE, make sure the correct filter is fitted. Vapour
filters will not give adequate protection against dust, and vice-versa
Procedures
3 RPE mask wearers must be fit-tested and trained how to look after it.
RPE that depends on face-fit is suitable for clean-shaven workers only.
3 Ensure RPE fits properly. Tell workers to check it is working properly
before every use.
3 Change the filters on respirators regularly – your supplier should be
able to advise you.
3 Tell workers to discard disposable RPE at the end of the shift, or
sooner if heavily soiled.
3 Keep RPE clean and store it in a clean place.
Maintenance, examination and testing
3 Examine and test RPE thoroughly at least monthly and infrequently
used RPE at least three monthly. Replace worn parts.
3 Replace time-expired, worn or damaged parts including valves and
face seals.
3 Keep a stock of replaceable parts.
3 Check the expiry dates on RPE and filters.
3 Check the air quality to BA at least once every three months. Make
sure that compressors take in only clean air.
3 Keep records of all maintenanace checks undertaken.
Training
3 Training covers:
n wearing RPE effectively;
n the limitations of RPE;
n storing RPE correctly;
Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) OCM4 Special advice
n how to check and maintain RPE; Useful links

n replace disposable RPE after one use; and Occupational Safety and Health
n to stop work and leave the area immediately if they think their RPE Consultants Register
is not working. www.oshcr.org/
3 Keep training records. Further information
Respiratory protective
Respirator selection: Information to help your PPE supplier
equipment at work: A practical
guide HSG53 (Third edition)
Job or activity
HSE Books 2005
Chemicals in the substance ISBN 978 0 7176 2904 6
(see safety data sheet) www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/
hsg53.htm
Physical form gas/fume/vapour/dust/other
RPE guidance by assigned
If solid, dustiness high/medium/low
protection factor
If liquid, boiling point o
C www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/
guidance/rseries.htm
If liquid, water-based yes/no
Fit testing of respiratory
Is the humidity high yes/no
protective equipment
Task duration hours/minutes facepieces HSE OC 282/28
Confined space yes/possibly/no You can find the full Offshore

COSHH essentials series at
Explosive/flammable in air yes/possibly/no
www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/index.htm
Work rate heavy/medium/light
Space to do task restricted/unrestricted
Amount of moving around one place/many places
Vision requirement all round/not relevant
Spoken communication necessary/unnecessary
Wearer’s physical fitness OK/unsure
Wearer’s aspect face hair/spectacles/turban/etc
What other PPE worn hard hat/earmuffs/visor/goggles
This guidance was developed by representatives from the UK

offshore oil and gas industry and trade unions, with HSE.
© Crown copyright 2011 Published by the Health and Safety Executive 03/11

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Health and Safety

OCM Respiratory protective

This information will help offshore What this sheet covers

with additional information. It will help n clearing up a spillage;

you carry out COSHH assessments, review n maintenance;

existing assessments, deliver training n emergencies;

and in supervising activities involving n cleaning, eg pressure washing;

substances hazardous to health. n a short-term one-off procedure; and

n whenever required for safe working.

It is aimed at staff whose responsibilities

3 Any air supplied to breathing apparatus must be fit to breathe, free of

n to guard against tangling or mis-connection of BA air lines.

n how to check and maintain RPE; Useful links

Confined space yes/possibly/no You can find the full Offshore

Space to do task restricted/unrestricted

Amount of moving around one place/many places

Vision requirement all round/not relevant

Spoken communication necessary/unnecessary

Wearer’s physical fitness OK/unsure

Wearer’s aspect face hair/spectacles/turban/etc

What other PPE worn hard hat/earmuffs/visor/goggles

This guidance was developed by representatives from the UK

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