The protective equipment is to farmers, which is important in dusty conditions. Grain dust, molds, pollens, animal dander, dust, dirt, sweat, smoke and diesel exhaust smoke can cause serious respiratory problems. Although some depend less toxic chemicals, dust in the air so that they can easily enter the lungs and cause damage.
Dust in the lungs can lead to short-term stress, fatigue and shortness of breath. In the long term, can lead to congestion, coughing orWheezing, sensitivity to dust and infections such as colds, bronchitis and pneumonia. Over time, the powder can be used to treat diseases such as farmer's lung, asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and other causes irreversible, incurable diseases.
To avoid respiratory problems, farmers should be wearing a respirator when working in dusty conditions. Respirators may be particularly good choice for those who are already overloaded with respiratory problems or generally harassed by dust, or those who haveconcerned about the amount of debris still in their bodies.
Supplied air respirators are rarely used in agricultural activities. They are relatively expensive, and carriers must be trained. But many dusty courtyard conditions may interact with a mask over his nose and mouth adapts and uses a mechanical filter or cartridge to remove dust particles from the air can be improved.
When you select a new mechanical device or to evaluate existing respirator should be differentFactors.
(1) All respirators used in agricultural operations must be approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
(2) Always use a respirator suitable for the task. Many problems with the inappropriate use of a respirator lead. For example, dust masks will not reduce chemical vapors. A fan for use with chemicals are approved, they can not filter the dust. The specific pollutant that is approved for the respirator filter cartridge or in written formThe breathing instructions.
(3) Choose a respirator standards. As part of the test is a mechanical device a "sun protection factor" or vote PF indicate how well they perform their assigned work. For agricultural activities is always a respirator with a PF rating of 10 or higher.
(4) Make sure that the respirator is the right size and fits well. To function properly, a breathing mask to form a good seal with the face. Dust slipping through a poor seal goes directly into the lungs. Respirators areAvailable in sizes and designs for most faces, but the glasses, clothes and beards, sideburns or adapt as beards, interfere with the seal. All respirators must be fit tested by security professionals when in use.
(5) Respirators can be either disposable or non-reusable. Disposable respirators are inexpensive and can be discarded if they are dirty or if the work is done, but can be relatively expensive if protection is required on a regular basis. A better choice forcurrent requirements is a robust model that can be washed and stored after each use.
(6) The support of a respirator should be in good physical condition. Since breathing through a filter array, breathing is difficult and can lead people with heart disease or respiratory distress. Always a doctor's permission to wear a respirator.
No respiratory protection is to solve all the problems of air quality. A worn is wrong just as dangerous as wearing none. The use of a defective product orTask inappropriate respirator may provide a false sense of security. In addition, respirators should be worn with no dust concentrations in the range of explosives. If it is too dusty to see your hand at a distance, is dusty enough to be explosive. Another danger occurs in a toxic environment. Air-purifying respirators do not supply oxygen and air at the workplace must be at least 19.5 percent oxygen. Death can occur in an environment of limited oxygen. And dust filtering systems can not beCareer in toxic chemicals like manure, silos or tanks for oil sludge. Wear a respirator with dust filters are provided in these conditions can be fatal.
The use of respirators in the day to day operations at the farm may be a new practice for many operators. However, reducing respiratory exposure to farm dust and can prevent serious respiratory problems.