Respiratory air testing

Through COSHH Regulation 9 Employers have a legal responsibility to control substances hazardous to health in the workplace and to prevent and adequately control their employees’ exposure to those substances. Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is used by many employers to control this exposure. Maintenance of this RPE is a requirement for all but single use equipment and should be carried out by properly trained personnel. Synergy can undertake respirator air quality testing of the air supplied to your workforce and ensure that it meets the requirements of BS EN 12021:1999

Thorough maintenance and examination tests should be carried out at least once a month. However if the equipment is used rarely then it should be tested before each use and the interval should not exceed three months. The records of examinations, testing, maintenance and repairs should be stored by the employer for a period of at least five years.

Air for breathing apparatus often originates from a compressor system, which can generate and concentrate a wide range of contaminants.

As the respirator wearer’s health depends on the air supplied from the compressor, employers have a duty to ensure that the quality of the air supplied meets the requirements given in British Standard BS EN 12021:1999 – Respiratory protective devices – Compressed air for breathing apparatus.