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Post Info TOPIC: Respirator Safety


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Respirator Safety
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Respirator Safety

Wearing any respirator is not enough. I know, I know you are thinking that this is ridiculous and stupid and yours is fine, that is if you wear one. And no fellas a t-shirt won't cut it. You should wear one and you know it. I dont always wear one because you can hold your breath and use the wind in some cases but I am wrong and I do wear one sometimes. I am going to make an effort to always wear one from now on.

Some people don't and that is your choice but if you do know these things:

A respirator is for filtering chemicals, debris, odors and other particulate. You want to choose a respirator that will fit your face well so that it is allowing you to breathe right and to filter right.
  • Anything below N95 or R95 is not worth it and not even considered a respirator
  • Buy a respirator with an acid gas filter ( preferably with a N100 rating)
We must use these types because that is what we are trying to filter out, repirators come in all shapes and sizes and are for all kinds of things. A good respirator will run you about 30-40 bucks and can be found at most hardware stores.

Not to add another PITA but you and your employees actually have to be fitted for repirators. You can buy one of these packages that allows you to do it yourself or you can call up a local safety products supplier and go there and get fitted. We just go to a local supplier and it costs $5 and takes 1 minute. JonDon janitorial supply is a good place and is all over the country.

This is pretty important, you dont want to pass out from lack of oxygen especially on a roof. Sweating too bad can clog up the mask so make sure you get the ones with the Cool Flow from 3m they are great! And getting your mask fitted is also vey important from the aspect of filtering correctly. If you are an unsightly s.o.b. with a crooked nose like myself you will need this so you don't have a whistle or an open air space.

You can find a ton more info regarding respirators on the EPA, OSHA, NIOSH and 3m websites.

I am sure there are plenty of people on the forum that cant smell or only on occasion. And we all know that "oh crap I just burnt the heck out of my alveoli (lung fibers/hairs)" so lets put an end to that one too huh?


-- Edited by BCRoofClean on Saturday 12th of June 2010 01:18:16 PM

-- Edited by BCRoofClean on Saturday 12th of June 2010 01:19:21 PM

-- Edited by BCRoofClean on Saturday 12th of June 2010 01:19:38 PM

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Pro Greensboro NC (336)362 7659 on Tuesday 10th of August 2010 06:22:21 PM

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RE: Resrpirator Saftey
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Jerry, another great post. The 3M respirators and gas cartridges are great products

For anyone interested in gas masks, Here is some information that was taken directly from the manufacturers description:

Mask Info:

* When properly fitted, our masks help provide respiratory protection from certain organic vapors and particulates, chlorine, hydrogen chloride, sulfur dioxide, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen sulfide (escape only), ammonia, methylamine, formaldehyde or hydrogen fluoride at concentrations up to 10 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) with half facepieces or 50 times PEL with full facepieces
* Use in a variety of applications, including petrochemical and chemical processing, utilities, pharmaceuticals, mining and primary metals
* Do not use in environments that are immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH)
* OSHA requires that gas-proof goggles be worn with half facepiece respirators when used against formaldehyde

Cartridge Info:

3M Mercury/Chlorine Gas Respirator Cartridge is used with 3M™ Half and Full Gas Masks 6000 Series and 3M™ Half and Full Gas Masks 7000 Series with bayonet style cartridge holders.

When properly fitted, helps provide respiratory protection from mercury vapor or chlorine at concentrations up to 10 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) with half facepieces or 50 times PEL with full facepieces. Full Gas Masks must be quantitatively fit tested to claim assigned protection factor above 10 in negative pressure mode. Not for use in environments that are immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH). Note: The mercury vapor end of service life indicator must be readily visible without manipulation when wearing the respirator. If not readily visible, do not use.

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Anyone have a place they buy these from?

I looked at HD and not sure what they had was right, one box said good for pesticides, etc....

Price range as well, HD had these for $40.00..

Thanks



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It never ceases to amaze me with idiots out cleaning roofs for little or nothing, and risking their lungs, eyes, and a fall. To you IDIOTS, roof cleaning is NOT cleaning a driveway with pressure. You can be KILLED, or forever handicapped by the roof cleaning chemicals. Think about that when you low ball the next roof cleaning job ?


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Well said Chris, we should always have money in each job fir this equipment and the proper insurance like disability.
Another good point is that you want to keep your mask clean and dry especially if you have allergies. Wet filters in a mask can be worse than a petri dish for mold. You are outdoors so there will be all types of pollen and mold in those things and if you leave them to sit all wet from sweat or whatever for a few days you will need a new one.

Here are 2 good suppliers that I have used and have been using for years for mold work.

www.aramsco.com

or

www.jondon.com

aramsco will swing deals with you too, whatever the pricing is on their website they will beat if you ask, so call them up when you place your oder, we have purchased all kinds of things like these sweat bands that you throw away and mask cleaners which are awesome because they are antibacterial and anti fog cleaners for your goggles or full face

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Bucks County PA Roof Cleaning

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Along these lines, where can larger Tyvek suits be bought? I bought a couple from Home Depot - they were not Tyvek brand, but similar. 

I'm 6 foot and 210 pounds. The largest size home depot had is not large enough- they would be a lot more comfortable if they were just a few inches larger.

Also, are these suits really safe for the SH? Would it be ok to wear shorts under the Tyvek suit or should pants still be worn? I'd like to be as cool as possible.


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WeWashWindows wrote:

Along these lines, where can larger Tyvek suits be bought? I bought a couple from Home Depot - they were not Tyvek brand, but similar.


I'm 6 foot and 210 pounds. The largest size home depot had is not large enough- they would be a lot more comfortable if they were just a few inches larger.

Also, are these suits really safe for the SH? Would it be ok to wear shorts under the Tyvek suit or should pants still be worn? I'd like to be as cool as possible.

 




Hey Micha I hear ya, I'm a beef and potatoes guy too. 6'3 pushin 250, I found out wher the weight goes after pregnacy.... to the husband. She didn't lose it I found it! lol.

I get them fro those links I posted above. Use the Aramsco place it is no joke! They have stores all over the country and even in the bahamas. They offer free delivery sometimes too. It doesn't matter if your in Kalamazoo they will send you stuff. The suits I wear are Kimberly clark chemsuits.

The blue oones are the best and it helps you look a bit more like a cleaner rather than a hazmat team. Get size XXXL and you should be good for your size just don't get any smaller.

Tyvek is breathable but not that breathible, I sweat like a champ when I wear them. We rarely use them on site, only for mold work inside really and on occasion outside. Like if its commercial or something.

 



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Bucks County PA Roof Cleaning

267-477-1107
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Chalfont, PA 18914




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If you check your local listings for "Safety Suppliers" you'll be able to get the right stuff and some offer free fittings.

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I agree about the respirators, at the refinery we had to be fit tested every year in case we lost/gained weight, had surgery or anything else that would affect how the respirator fits and seals on your face.

Get the good ones, most safety supply houses on the internet have them, shop around for the best price.


Guys, if you are looking for the Tyvek disposable white coveralls, let me know if you cannot find them.

I buy them by the case of 25 and size XXXL and I have plenty of room to move around.

I talked to the guy that I buy them from and he can ship them UPS to customers that do not live here. Let me know what your best price you find is and I will let you know if he is cheaper. I don't know what the shipping would be with UPS but could find out.

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Chris, Do you use the respirator with a face shield or a resperator with chemical goggles .

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Always use baby wipes or mask wipes from a sefety supplier like Jondon or Aramsco.

Keep your masks dry store them in a clean place.

You do not want any bacteria or micobiological growth growing in there. So wipe you mask daily and clean your sweat off of it or you could do more harm than good.

Never leave it in a box full of wet rags you could get very sick.

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267-477-1107
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Serving all of Bucks and Montgomery Counties and surrounding areas of Philadelphia
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Thats where i get mine aramsco. I have a full face mask is that what most of you wear when cleaning roofs.

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RE: Respirator Safety
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I also use the 3M 7500 filter mask and the Mercury vapor/Chlorine gas 6009 filters.

They work great. Here is where I get my respirators and filters.


https://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/3m-7500-series-half-facepiece-respirator.html

https://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/3m-6009-mercury-vapor-or-chlorine-cartridge.html





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