Respiratory Protective Devices: Compressed Air for Breathing Apparatus

Start Date End Date Venue Fees (US $)
23 Nov 2025 Live-Online $ 2,500 Register

Respiratory Protective Devices: Compressed Air for Breathing Apparatus

Introduction

As the respirator wearer’s health depends on the air supplied from the compressor, employers have a duty to ensure that the quality of the air supplied meets the requirements given in British Standard BS EN 12021:1999 – Respiratory protective devices – Compressed air for breathing apparatus. Compressed air for breathing apparatus must not contain any contaminants at a concentration that can cause toxic or harmful effects. In any event, all contaminants are required to be kept to as low a level as possible and shall be far as possible below the workplace exposure limit.

This training focuses on BS EN 12021 Standards and covers related topics in Compliance with the COSHH Regulations (ISO 16900-4 - Methods of test and test equipment, Controlling airborne contaminants at work, Respiratory protective equipment at work, etc.) to complement the Standards’ understanding.

Objectives

    At the end of the training, successful attendees will be able to:

    • Explain  requirements detailed within BS EN 12021  Standard
    • Understand the requirement for pure air supplied from the compressor
    • Describe how to protect workers from breathing contaminated air
    • Select Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) adequate against the exposed hazard
    • Assist in developing site-specific Respiratory Protective program for your facility
    • Understand what constitutes a confined space and a permit-required confined space
    • Analyze the specific hazards associated with working in the contaminated area
    • Categorize sampling and testing method in compliance with the Standards and local regulations
    • Comply with company procedures and practices

Training Methodology

This is an interactive course. There will be open question and answer sessions, regular group exercises and activities, videos, case studies, and presentations on best practice. Participants will have the opportunity to share with the facilitator and other participants on what works well and not so well for them, as well as work on issues from their own organizations. The online course is conducted online using MS-Teams/ClickMeeting.

Who Should Attend?

  • Any worker, who may potentially need to wear RPE
  • Supervisors in charge of compressed air
  • Occupational health and safety specialist;
  • Rescue team

Course Outline

  • Properties of airborne contaminants
  • Requirement of BS EN 12021:1999
  • Specification of the amount of allowable contamination
  • Specification of the purity of compressed air required
  • Introduction to ISO8573
  • COSHH Regulations
  • Other related standards
  • Forms of substance
  • Legal requirements
  • Specification of the test method for the measurement of humidity, particles, vapor and organic, solvent, gaseous contaminant
  • Testing compressed air system for one or more specific contaminants
  • Controlling airborne contaminants at work
  • Selecting RPE adequate against the hazard 
  • Selecting RPE suited to the wearer, task and environment
  • Identifying the exposure hazard 
  • Selecting a “control benchmark” and “control requirement”
  • Matching filters to the substance and its form
  • Deciding on the protection factor
  • Verify the performance of compressed air purification equipment
  • Suitability factors
  • Carrying out a fit test

Accreditation

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