Face masks

AUS/NZ Respiratory Protection Standards

There are two Australian/New Zealand Standards covering personal respiratory protection and risk management. These Standards form a basis for the selection, use and maintenance of RPE in Australian and New Zealand workplaces. When respirator use is required in the workplace, respirators shall conform to the requirements of AS/NZS 1716.

AS/NZS 1715:2009 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment. This Standard offers information to employers and users on different types of RPE, how to select the right type for the job and how to correctly maintain it.

AS/NZS 1716:2012 Respiratory protective devices. This Standard offers information to manufacturers, suppliers, employers and users by setting out performance requirements for different types of RPE.

AS/NZS 1715:2009 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment

This Standard offers information to employers and users on different types of RPE, how to select the right type for the job and how to correctly maintain it.

AS/NZS 1716:2012 Respiratory protective devices

This Standard offers information to manufacturers, suppliers, employers and users by setting out performance requirements for different types of RPE.

Dust Mask Ratings

In accordance with the test in AS/NZS 1716 there are three classes of particulate filter classified:

Particulate Filters	EFFECTIVE AGAINST
Class P1	intended for use against mechanically generated particulates of sizes most commonly encountered in industry. Has a low to medium absorption capacity filter
Class P2	intended for use against both mechanically and thermally generated particulates. Has a medium absorption capacity filter
Class P3	intended for use against all particulates including highly toxic materials. Has a high absorption capacity filter. Nevertheless this can only be achieved in a full face respirator

In AS/NZS 1715 it specifies that users of any tight fitting respirators are to be fit tested prior to starting work and then at least annually after this.

There are 2 types of facial fit testing- Quantitative and Qualitative. Qualitative fit test - A facial fit test to identify pass/fail results and relying on the subject’s response to a test agent. Quantitative fit test - A facial fit test giving numerical results and not relying on the subject’s response to a test agent.

Respiratory Protective Equipment is more likely to be worn where it fits well, provides comfort, and is accepted by the user. The appropriate respirator should be worn the entire time that a person is at risk of exposure. In practice, the user’s adherence to this principle will be influenced by the wearability of the individual respirator; influencing factors include comfort, field of vision and the need to communicate without removing the device.