I have recently been involved with an issue raised in a refinish workshop where individuals use work benches and DSE style chairs to undertake various tasks. The operatives wear RPE and use a harness to hold the canisters whilst they undertake their duties either in a seated position or standing. Individuals are not able to sit back in the current chairs to get any support to their backs due to the restrictions/position of the canisters which do not allow the operative to sit back and benefit from the back support. This results in the individuals having to take the weight of the RPE and associated canisters which are quite heavy. Does anyone else undertake such activities and if so can you advise what equipment is used in order to reduce the weight on the individuals back. I am currently looking at stool type seats which are on wheels and allow the individual to be mobile but do not provide any support to their backs whilst seated. Is there is a different type of harness which allows the canisters to be held in a different position and allow operatives to sit back in a chair when working? Or is there a chair / seat which would assist with this issue? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. Roz

Canisters? Do you mean of air? Is filter-based RPE unsuitable? Or how about installing an air line they can connect to?

Thank you for the replies to date. The reason for the RPE is to filter against solvents and fibres. The area is a large refinish workshop with various benches located around the workshop. There is an extracting system in place but LEV's are not practical in this environment.

I would be helful to know how many Operators are using the RPE because I agree with walker simply to say LEV is not practical would not be a good answer for enforcement. Given the hierarchy and the cost of RPE, replacement filters, face fit testing etc. Portable LEV units may be a much better alternative.

I would question the statement that LEV is not practical. If they work at workbenches have you considered downdraft benches as opposed to the 'conventional' methods? I have used these with success with a wide variety of activities, ranging from the use of angle grinders through to laboratory chemical and soldering in an electronics plant where 'normal' LEV was considered impractical or simply was not working. If you want more on this PM me. Chris