ISRP 2002 abstract
| Presenter/author | Title | Abstract |
|
Forrest,
Jacques Centurion Safety Products, Thetford, UK |
"Standards for the 21st
Century Worker? Don't Hold your Breath."
|
Against a background of growing safety
awareness from employees, together with increasingly demanding safety
and employee legislation, the authors provide a quick resume of the
development of RPE from its origins of protecting military personnel in
1914 to covering the needs of today’s multitasked and educated
industrial workforce.
The authors evaluate the differences between military respiratory equipment and those devices required to protect against modern industrial hazards. In industry, the risks faced are generally considered less dangerous in the short term than those encountered on active service. However, they may be just as debilitating in the long term. Standards have been written that are inadequate for the requirements of industry today and practical examples are provided of where product deficiencies exist because of this. Products should be developed around the tasks being carried out in the workplace and, more importantly, should accommodate the needs of the wearer. The also authors consider the PPE requirements for head, eye and ear protection, arguing the need for complete protection. Additionally, the question of wearer comfort is examined. Finally they provide guidance for the writing of future standards.
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