Are you aware of the dangers of respirable crystalline silica (RCS)?

Drager X-Plore 6300
Full Facemask

The Health and Safety Executive have recently released information on RCS (respirable crystalline silica) which is found in dust and provide advice on how to avoid being affected by it.

RCS is a very fine dust and is produced from the cutting of stone and rocks, including kerb cutting and paving blocks.  Large amounts of crystalline silica can be found in sand and clay and is also used as filler in some types of plastics.

Being exposed to RCS can eventually become life-threating and cause health issues, making it important to become aware of the dangers and how to prevent them.
The dangers of exposure to crystalline silica can cause various respiratory problems and lung diseases.  This includes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), silicosis and also lung cancer.

Chronic obtrusive pulmonary disease is a leading cause of death in the UK, killing around 23,000 people a year and sufferers of this disease will experience breathlessness, chest infections and persistent coughing.  15% of COPD cases are work related and are caused by exposure to fumes, chemicals and dusts at work.

Due to the particles of RCS being so minute, they can’t always be seen when carrying out cutting or construction work.  However, there are measures which can be

carried out to protect yourself and anyone around you who is exposed to RCS, which includes wearing appropriate breathing apparatus.

Drager Combination Filter
1140 A1B2E2K1HgNO CO 20 P3 R D

Wearing the correct dust mask could potentially save lives and it is important to make sure you obtain a mask which fits properly and suits your application.  The HSE suggests using a dust mask which offers FFP3 filtering face pieces or P3 filters (orinasal respirators).

Frontline Safety offers both a range of disposable and reusable facemasks.  The Drager X-Plore 6300 full facemask is efficient, low-cost and its compatibility with the X-Plore Rd40 filter series makes it suitable for a wide range of applications.

The X-plore 6300 full facemask has other advantages including being secure, robust and a comfortable fit.  It also has an intelligent ventilation system which allows the visor to remain fog-free and a barcode inside which aids maintenance and checking inventories.

The Drager X-plore Combination Filter 1140 (A1B2E2K1HgNO CO 20 P3 RD) is a reusable filter which not only protects against particles (in this case level P3), it also provides protection in applications which include gases and vapours, inorganic gases, SO2,HCI, NH3, CO, mercury vapours and nitrous gases.

It is essential that facemasks and filters which are reusable are maintained properly and inspected before every use.

Visit our website to view more of these products with detailed descriptions and specifications.  It is important to note that other personal protective equipment may also be needed to deal with other risks, such as noise.  Head, ear and eye protection can also be found at https://www.frontline-safety.co.uk.

Written by Dawn Mitchell