hydraulic system, as bubbles will take longer to migrate through a more viscous fluid. There are plenty of variables that will affect your selection of an appropriate hydraulic oil. The viscosity and composition of the fluid, especially it’s additives, determine its ability to handle temperature extremes, prevent damaging wear, oxidation and foaming, and maintain a good level of efficiency in the system. The aim will always be to prolong the service life of both your hydraulic oil and the components within the wider hydraulic system, and to do this, matching system requirements, fluid parameters and any external/environmental considerations is vital. Disposable and negative-pressure systems may provide a reasonable solution for the most basic protection
needs. However, depending on your working environment and requirements, powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs), particularly loose-fitting PAPRs, may be the most efficient and cost-effective respiratory solution for the workforce.
What are Loose-Fitting Paprs?
According to the Health and Safety Executive1, a PAPR can be defined as a respirator which uses filters to remove potentially harmful contaminants from the air and uses a motor to push air through the filters. Unlike tight-fitting respirators, loose-fitting powered respirators do not rely on a seal on the wearer’s face (covering the nose and mouth) as clean air is fed into a hood, helmet, blouse, or suit. Now let’s outline some features of loose-fitting PAPRs, like the PureFlo 3000, and review how these features can provide benefit to your workforce compared to disposable and negative-pressure alternatives.
- Feature
- Loose Fitting
- Benefit
- Fit testing not required
- Can be worn with facial hair and/or spectacles
- Potential for increased comfort
- Feature
- Higher assigned protection factor (APF; level= 40) VS half-masks/FFP3s (level = 20)
- Benefit
- Typically offers higher levels of protection
- Feature
- Consistent airflow of clean air
- Benefit
- Reduces perspiration
- Can help to keep the wearer cool
- Feature
- Additional protective features as part of the unit (e.g. head, face, eyes and hearing protection)
- Benefit
- Integrated system
- Reduces the need for additional PPE
Other Advantages Of Paprs Include:
- Lower Cost
While the initial cost of a PAPR is higher than alternatives such as disposable respirators, they generally provide cost savings over a 2–3-year period. To help understand how much money you could save by choosing a powered respirator, speak to your local HAYLEY DEXIS representative and they will calculate your bespoke cost-in-use estimate - Less Waste
As the lifespan of a PAPR is several years, switching to powered RPE can help to reduce waste and therefore reduce your workforce’s environmental impact. However, it’s important to note that not all loose-fitting PAPRs are the same. Each respiratory protection brand offers something different, and it is essential to weigh up each product’s pros and cons. PureFlo PAPRs by Gentex Corporation, for instance, which are new to the HAYLEY DEXIS PPE range, are unique in that they offer a new generation of all-in-one, head-mounted systems.
"PUREFLO PAPRS ARE UNIQUE IN THAT THEY OFFER A NEW GENERATION OF ALL-IN-ONE, HEAD-MOUNTED SYSTEMS."
Head-Mounted Paprs Provide:
- Optimum mobility
No Belts, no hoses, no snags - Ease-of-use
A Straight out-of-the-box solution which can b donned and doffed in seconds - Ease-of-maintenance
With replaceable parts
We are an Authorised Distributor of PureFlo. Contact your local HAYLEY DEXIS branch for more information about the range of powered respirators.