ASTM F3387-19 Standard Practice for Respiratory Protection

The ASTM F3387-19 standard, developed by the American Test and Materials Association (ASTM), sets out practices that are accepted as minimum for occupational respirator use. This standard provides information and guidance on the correct selection, use and maintenance of respirators and includes requirements for the creation, implementation and evaluation of respirator programs. The full name of this standard is as follows: ASTM F3387-19 Standard practice for respiratory protection.

The ASTM F3387-19 standard covers respirators used to protect workers from inhalation of harmful air pollutants and oxygen-deficient atmospheres in the workplace. The following devices are excluded from this standard: underwater breathing apparatus, aircraft oxygen systems, air supply clothing, use of respirators in military combat conditions, and medical inhalers and animators.

The standard does not claim to address all security concerns for its use. It is the responsibility of enterprises using this standard to establish appropriate safety, health and environmental practices and to determine the applicability of the restrictions in legal regulations before use.

In short, the purpose of this standard is to provide information and guidance on the correct selection, use and maintenance of respirators that will help protect the life and health of respirator users. This application applies to anyone who needs respiratory protection. However, it is specifically aimed at those responsible for creating and implementing an acceptable breathing apparatus program. This standard contains recommended requirements for enforcement authorities who establish regulations or codes for respiratory protection use.

The main purpose of the respiratory protection program is to prevent exposure to air contaminated by harmful dust, fog, smoke, vapor, gas or sprays, and thus occupational diseases. Still, masks have their limitations and are not a substitute for effective business practices and controls. When these controls are not sufficient to reduce pollutants in the air below occupational exposure levels, the use of respirators is effective.

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