If only the search function on these Forums was that easy!

Everyone is dancing around the issue that they become less and less able to do what they are supposed to as the day goes on, but they are considered cheap. They try to make the person fit the PPE which is not what should happen. Before long someone will find the perfect person that has alopecia and perfect face shape for disposable masks, then clone them for these roles.

If we know during the course of the day, they become less / not effective, then it is not a proper control is it. We can find a way of dealing with this due to religious grounds, but not otherwise – interesting!

Chris

Surely a face shield would have pretty much the same protective qualities as a poorly fitted RPE. I was not suggesting positive pressure masks for the ambulance service. I don't think we should stop using disposable masks, I just feel they should not be registered as effective PPE. They should be looked at in the same way as general handling gloves (i.e. personal preference if you wear them, but they offer limited protection). If there is a real danger then we need effective solutions.

At the moment I feel that my industry (manufacturing) uses disposable masks as a get out clause for tackling hazards. It is often the equivalent of giving out a pair of marigolds to handle acid. We know they only offer limited protection, but it is a cheap way of showing our employees that we "care". Then if something does go wrong, it wasn't our fault, the employee wasn't following the training....