As far as I am aware flour is a respiratory sensitiser. That being the case I reckon you need better protection than that afforded by a dust mask. I have worked with respiratory sensitisers in the detergent industry (subtilisins) and the minimum level of protection provided was a half face mask with P3 filters, individually fit tested. But I stand to be corrected.

Cheers for clearing that up Des,

Next Question:

The 'dust masks' are FFP3 and are used for weighing etc. We also use full face masks for work in the hopper room, maintenance etc.

How do we ensure these types of mask suffice? Is there a common bakery standard...?

Theres lots of information from the HSE on the control of flour dust inbakeries including the RPE to be used:

A Baker’s Dozen – Thirteen essentials for health and safety in bakeries (HSG233). ISBN 0-7176-2616-4

Health & Safety in Bakeries Liaison Committee (HSBLC) booklet – Guidance on Dust Control and Health Surveillance in Bakeries, available from the Federation of Bakers, 6 Catherine Street, London WC2B 5JW (Tel. 020 7420 7190).

COSHH Essentials guidance sheets in FL series and sheet G402: Health surveillance for occupational asthma.

http://www.coshh-essenti....uk/assets/live/fl04.pdf

In answer to your specific question, the only way to be sure that the masks you are supplying are sufficient to give suitable protection is to measure the exposures and apply the protection factor of the mask used.

If it is not feasible for you to pay for this monitoring to be done for your busines there are lots of studies already published showing "typical" exposures using various peices of equipment and processed in bakeries.

In essence you would need to know what the concentration of dust is and what the level of protection is gained by the correct wearing of a the masks you use. Gnerally speaking P3 = 20x protection, full face P3 = 40x however I would check / ask the manufacturer.

What this translates to is when wearing a P3 mask the maximum allowable dust concentration outside of the mask would be 20x the occupational exposure limit (8hour TWA). Over this and the mask would not be able to offer sufficient filtration / protection and the individual though wearing a mask could be still receiving greater than acceptable exposure.

If I were you, look for guidance on typical exposures for the task you conduct, look at your current controls / LEV etc. See if the masks for each task you use look like they will be protecting well below the exposure level, if not, look at increasing control measures other than RPE first, then look at increasing level of RPE protection. If practical to do so you can employ a consulatant to conduct the dust measurememnts for you and advise on improvements where necessary and suitability of your RPE.

Hope this is of help.

Des

How many people you think you have to do?

Only reason I ask is that I am assuming the DIY method uses a qualatative method (usually stick a hood on someone and throw saccarin at them, relying on them telling you when they can smell / taste it) rather than a qualatative method which uses a portable measuring machine to compare the numbers of particles inside to outside the mask.

If you only have a dozen employees I would recommend just getting someone in to do it for you, prob cost £50 a head, most large PPE/RPE suppliers can offer this service.

But remember, which ever method you choose employees will need to be re-tested in certain circumstances (weight loss, face shape, hair growth, scars, surgery ect.) or if the masks you use change.

Also try to think ahead of time what you will do if someone "fails", dependant on the reason for failure - perhaps face shape, you may want to have other masks, or mask sizes there to test on. Beard growth however (depending on the amount, size or shape) may result in a failure regardless of mask type/size/shape.

Good luck,

Des