Sets out requirements and guidelines for respiratory protection. Includes discussion of respiratory hazards, the assessment of associated risks and various methods of control including the use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE). It is intended that AS/NZS 1715 will be replaced by 2030 with the relevant AS/NZS ISO series which addresses selection, use and maintenance.
Table of contents
Header
About this publication
Preface
1 Scope and general
1.1 Scope
1.2 Objective
1.3 Referenced documents
1.4 Related documents
1.5 Definitions
1.6 General principles
1.7 Hazard identification, risk assessment and control
1.7.1 General
1.7.2 Hazard identification
1.7.3 Risk assessment of airborne contaminants
1.7.4 Controls of risks
2 Respiratory protection program
2.1 Respiratory protection program
2.2 Appointment of program administrator
2.3 Selection of RPE
2.4 RPE training
2.5 Issue of RPE
2.6 Fitting of RPE
2.7 Wearing of RPE
2.8 Maintenance
2.8.1 General
2.8.2 Cleaning and disinfection
2.8.3 Inspection
2.8.4 Repair and replacement of components
2.8.4.1 General
2.8.4.2 Replacement of filters
2.8.5 Storage and disposal of equipment
2.9 Record keeping
2.10 Program evaluation
3 Entry of contaminants into the body
3.1 General
3.2 Inhalation of airborne contaminants
3.3 Skin and eye absorption
3.3.1 Skin absorption
3.3.2 Eye absorption
3.4 Ingestion
3.5 Health effects of airborne contaminants
3.6 Particles
3.6.1 General
3.6.2 Particle size
3.6.3 Micro-organisms
3.7 Oxygen deficiency
3.7.1 General
3.7.2 Atmospheric composition
3.7.3 Symptoms of oxygen deficiency
4 Selection of RPE
4.1 Factors in selection
4.2 Selection factors—Contaminant-related
4.2.1 General
4.2.2 Nature, toxicity, physical form and concentration of the contaminant
4.2.2.1 General
4.2.2.2 Protection factors and exposure standards
4.2.2.3 Concentration of contaminant
4.2.2.4 Micro-organisms
4.2.3 Protection against particulates
4.2.3.1 General
4.2.3.2 Classification of filters
4.2.3.3 Class P1 filters
4.2.3.4 Class P2 filters
4.2.3.5 Class P3 filters
4.2.3.6 Use of air-hose or air-line RPE
4.2.4 Respiratory protection against bushfire smoke
4.2.5 Protection against gases and vapours
4.2.5.1 General
4.2.5.2 Gas filter RPE
4.2.5.3 Gas filter life
4.2.5.4 Supplied-air RPE
4.2.6 Protection against combined particulates, gases and vapours
4.2.7 Protection against oxygen-deficient atmospheres
4.2.8 Protection against airborne radioactivity
4.2.9 Resistance to flame
4.2.10 Additional protection
4.2.10.1 General
4.2.10.2 Use with goggles or spectacles
4.2.10.3 Use with head coverings
4.2.10.4 RPE for use in flammable or explosive atmospheres
4.3 Selection factors—Task-related
4.3.1 General
4.3.2 Frequency and length of usage
4.3.3 Degree of activity and mobility
4.3.4 Location of the task
4.3.5 Working environment conditions
4.3.5.1 General
4.3.5.2 Low temperatures
4.3.5.3 High temperatures
4.3.5.4 Environmental effects on air-hose or air-line
4.3.6 Emergency escape
4.4 Selection factors—Operator-related
4.4.1 General
4.4.2 Basic physiological considerations
4.4.3 Facial fit
4.4.3.1 General
4.4.3.2 User acceptance
4.5 Selection factors—Equipment limitations
4.5.1 General
4.5.2 Vision and communication
4.5.3 Limitations of rate of air supplied
4.5.4 Limitations of loose fitting head coverings
4.5.5 Limitations of close fitting facepieces
4.5.5.1 Negative pressure or negative pressure demand devices
4.5.5.2 Continuous flow PAPRs or air-supplied RPE
4.5.5.3 Positive pressure demand devices
4.5.6 Limitations of supplied-air equipment in IDLH atmospheres
4.6 Selection of RPE for special response hazmat incidents by emergency service personnel
4.6.1 General
4.6.2 Protection factors and exposure standards
4.6.3 Combined gas and particulate filter RPE
4.6.4 Gas filter life
4.6.5 Degree of activity and mobility
4.6.6 Protection against oxygen-deficient atmospheres
5 Types of RPE and their limitations
5.1 General
5.1.1 Method of providing personal respiratory protection
5.1.2 Types of RPE
5.2 Air-purifying RPE
5.2.1 General
5.2.2 Non-powered air-purifying RPE—Routine use
5.2.2.1 General
5.2.2.2 Half facepiece RPE
5.2.2.3 Full facepiece RPE
5.2.2.4 Filtering RPE with non-facepiece mounted filters
