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Workshop C“Future challenges for PPE standardization“

Determination of Workplace Protection Factors (WPF) for

Respiratory Protective Devices – A PEROSH Project

4th EUROSHNET Conference

26–28 June 2012

Helsinki (Espoo), Finland

PEROSH WPF Factors for RPD Seite 2

PEROSH Partners in WPF-Project

PEROSH WPF Factors for RPD Seite 3

Background

RPD must be:

Suitable for environment, the task and the wearer

Adequate for the concentration of contaminant

Selection has been based on nominal protection factors (NPF)

Respiratory Protective Devices (RPD) must be correctly selected to achieve optimum wearer protection

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NPFs can be set for RPD based of total inward leakage requirements in standards

Source: EN 13274-1

Nominal Protection Factors

insideRPD

outsideRPD

c

cNPF

NPF = Indicates the highest expectable level of protection under laboratory conditions using a standard protocol with possible instructions and interventions

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The Assigned Protection Factor (APF) is derived from available NPF data and is the expectable protection level in a real working environment.

Assigned Protection Factors

These factors do not always reflect the real protection and are derived in different ways within Europe and

across the world

Dilemma: Different approaches for setting up workplace related protection factors are used, e.g. by multiplication with safety factors, workplace measurements… (lack of common concept)

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Example: Protection factors for negative pressure self contained breathing apparatus in various countries.Source: EN 529, Annex C & OSHA

Assigned Protection Factors

Nominal Protection

FactorEN 137

Assigned Protection Factor

Germany Italy UK USA

2000 1000 400 40 50

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● Development of measurement strategy and method

● Measurements on real work places

● Develop and deliver RPD Programme training

● Re-measure RPD performance on real workplaces

● Assessment of the efficiency of training measures by comparing before and after situation

Objectives

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● Harmonisation of work place related protection factors on European level ( Comparability, common basis for taking safety measures)

● Validation of the efficiency of targeted education & training programs

● Support for the (retrospective) investigation in health related diseases

Benefits

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Thank you for your attention!

ContactDr. Peter PaszkiewiczE-mail: peter.paszkiewicz@dguv.dePhone: +49 (0)2241 231-2750