RPD Selection Information

The contaminant(s) likely to be present as gas, vapour or particle (dust, fibre, mist, fume, bioaerosol) must be identified and relevant properties e.g. vapour boiling points. This is a critical step as the identified contaminant/s is required for appropriate respirator and filter (if suitable) selection. Without knowing what the contaminant is, how can a suitable respirator and filter (if suitable) be reliable selected for work protection?

All materials used, produced or stored, including raw materials, end products, by-products and wastes, should be reviewed by assessing the work process and by referring to the safety data sheets (SDS). From this review, the contaminant(s) that may be present in the workplace shall be identified.

National or local regulations that relate to specific contaminants (e.g. asbestos, silica, lead, benzene) must be followed. If the contaminant is unknown and if there is a national or industry guidance document that is specific to the task, then recommended Respiratory Protective Device (RPD) or Protection Level must be chosen.

When the contaminants cannot be identified and no guidance is available, the hazard is considered unknown and the atmospheres shall be considered immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH), and only breathable gas supplying/supplied air RPD with the highest protection factor and emergency breathing device (EBD) must be selected.

The foreseeable worst-case airborne exposure concentrations of contaminants in the atmosphere must be determined. If the contaminant concentration is unknown and if there is a national or industry guidance document that is specific to the task, then the assigned protection factors (APF) or the recommended Protection Level must be chosen.

Does the potential for IDLH conditions exist? An IDLH atmosphere is one that poses an immediate threat to life, would cause irreversible adverse health effects, or would impair an individual’s ability to escape. It is an atmosphere where the potential exists where one could not escape without the aid of an RPD. Selection of RPD for work in IDLH atmospheres must consider the method of escape in the event that the primary RPD mode fails, including level during the escape. IDLH levels may be established by national or local regulations or published by professional bodies. If there is uncertainty whether the concentration is above or below IDLH, the atmosphere shall be considered to be IDLH. Refer to https://rpd.respfit.org.au/more-info/immediately-dangerous-to-life-health-idlh-environments/ for further IDLH information.

Reference/s for further information and detail:

• AS/NZS 1715:2009 – Selection, use and maintenance – Section 4.2.2.1
• SA/SNZ TS ISO 16975.1:2023 – Selection, use and maintenance – Section 7.3.1.1.2