Respiratory, Hearing and Eye protection

Respiratory product testing

All respiratory equipment must undergo type examination using a Notified Body before CE marking can be affixed. Where the respiratory device is incorporated with headwear, eyewear or hearing protection BSI can offer an integrated test and certification package. For products that incorporate electronic devices and electrical safety laboratories, providing a one stop shop for all needs.

Typical testing BSI can provide includes:

• Breathing resistance
• Filter penetration (solids)
• Filter penetration (liquids)
• Total inward Leakage (TIL)
• CO2 build up
• Flammability
• Dust clogging
• Field of vision
• Mechanical strength testing
• Practical performance testing

Respiratory product standards:

BS EN 140: 1999
Half/ Quarter Masks
BS EN 14387: 2004
Gas Filters & Combined Filters
BS EN 143: 2000
Particle Filters
BS EN 149: 2001
Filtering Half Masks to protect against particles
BS EN 12941: 1999
Powered Hoods and Helmets
BS EN 12942: 1999
Powered air for full/half Masks
BS EN 405: 2002
Valved Combined Filtering Half Mask
BS EN 136: 1998
Full Face Masks - Class 1, 2, or 3
BS EN 137: 2006
Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
BS EN 138: 1994
Fresh Air Hose for use with face mask
BS EN 14594: 2005
Continuous Flow Compressed Airline Breathing Apparatus
BS EN 402: 2003
Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Escape Mask
BS EN 1146: 2005
Self Contained Open-Circuit Compressed Air Breathing Apparatus with Escape Hood

Excessive noise is prevalent in many industries as well as personal pursuits, whether it be a construction worker on a building site; a clay pigeon shoot on a country estate or a DJ at a dance club, whatever the noise exposure, all can have a detrimental effect on the operator or listener over time.  The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 places the level at which employers must provide hearing protection and hearing protection zones at 85 decibels (average/daily exposure).

The level at which employers must make a workers’ risk assessment and provide information and training is now 80 decibels. There is also a ceiling of 87 decibels (taking into account hearing protection) above which workers should not be exposed.

BS EN 352 – 1: 2002
Earmuffs
BS EN 352 – 2: 2002
Earplugs
BS EN 352 – 3: 2002
Earmuffs on safety helmet
BS EN 352 – 4: 2001
Level dependent earmuffs
BS EN 352 – 5: 2002
Active noise reduction earmuffs
BS EN 352 – 6: 2002
Earmuffs with electrical audio input
BS EN 352 –7: 2002
Level dependant earplugs

Eye protection

Eye protection equipment is used in many situations from industrial to recreational. In many instances the eye protection is integrated into head protection. Many of these integrated systems also offer much more than eye protection, in that they protect the face from impacts, sparks from cutting or welding gear or splashes from molten metals or electrical arcs.

The PPE Directive (89/686/EEC) for CE marking usually classifies eyewear as that of intermediate design and is graded according to the level of protection it provides. In the case of EN 166:2002 this is marked on the product as a series of letters or numbers to help the purchaser select the correct type of eye protection for the relevant hazard. ‘Non-Safety’ prescription spectacles may not afford the wearer the appropriate level of protection.

Eye protection standards

BS EN 166: 2002
Personal Eye Protection
BS EN 169: 2002
Welding Filters
BS EN 170: 2002
Ultraviolet Filters
BS EN 171:2002
Infrared Filters
BE EN 172: 1995
Sun Glare Filters for industrial use
BS EN 175: 1997
Welders Eye and Face Protection
BS EN 1731: 1998
Mesh Face Screens
BS EN 1836: 1997
Sunglasses and Sun Glare Filters
BS 4110: 1999*
Visors for Vehicle Users
BS 5883: 1996
Swimming Goggles
BS 7930-1 1998
Racket Sports – Squash Players Eye Protection