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What is personal protective equipment (PPE)?

PPE is equipment worn by a worker to minimize exposure to specific occupational hazards. Examples of PPE are respirators, gloves, aprons, fall protection, and full body suits, as well as head, eye and foot protection.

Using PPE is only one element in a complete safety program that would use a variety of strategies to maintain a safe and healthy occupational environment. PPE does not reduce the hazard itself nor does it guarantee permanent or total protection.

Designing an Effective PPE Program: Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

Safety Footwear: Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

Foot Comfort and Safety at Work: Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety


What exactly is an N95 respirator?

One of the most common respirators used in health and community care is the so-called "particulate air-purifying respirator." This is used for removing airborne particles such as dusts, mists and droplets. It is available in disposable form, to be discarded after use, or as a re-usable face piece with replaceable disposable filter elements.


Particulate air-purifying respirators are certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). NIOSH classifies these respirators according to their efficiency at removing contaminants from the air. Commonly used respirator classes are the N95, N99 or N100. NIOSH also uses the letters "R" and "P" instead of "N" to indicate respirators that are oil-resistant or oil-proof. A NIOSH class N95 respirator is one that, if properly worn, is capable of filtering out 95% of airborne particles 0.3 microns (about a third of a thousandth of a millimetre) or more in size, but is not suitable for workplaces where there may be oil mist in the air.


What about a surgical mask used in health care?

Surgical masks are not respirators and are not certified by NIOSH as N95. They are not intended to protect the wearer from hazards, but rather to prevent the wearer from spreading infections.

Source: RESPIRATOR PROTECTION This HCHSA Fast Fact is intended to provide workers and others with general information about the use of respirators in the workplace for protection from respiratory hazards.

 

 

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