I hate Spandex !!! the git has just exposed a huge gap in my
knowledge about respirators and escape masks.
I thought dust masks were dust masks some just prettier than others but
apparently there are three types FFP1 FFP2 FFP3.
FFP1 are basically just bits of cloth to cover your mouth and nose with
so straight onto FFP2 and 3
(To cut a long story short I have just made a mad dash to invest in a
pack of FFP3 masks to replace the FFP1s in the GHBS)
Disposable Mask FFP2 valved
High protection, cost-effective respirator mask
Disposable fold flat FFP2 respirator mask with exhalation valve. FFP2 is the
equivalent of N95. FFP2 masks offer protection from fine toxic dusts, fibres,
aqueous mists, and oil based mists. CE Marked. EN149.2001
Disposable Mask FFP Features
• FFP2 rated respirator mask to EN149:2001 (N95)
• protection from fine toxic dusts, fibres etc
• high protection from airborne infection (95% efficiency)
• built in exhalation valve improves efficiency and comfort
• deluxe fold flat design with fully adjustable bands (now latex free)
Use: The FFP 2 disposable face mask is for single use only. It should not be used
for more than 8 hours continuously and should be safely discarded after use. Use
only when a concentration of contaminants is not immediately dangerous to life or
health, and only in accordance with the applicable health and safety standards. As
required by the European Health and Safety requirements the user is advised that
when the disposable face mask is in contact with the wearer's skin, it may cause
allergic reaction to susceptible individuals.
Correct fitting of FFP2 disposable face masks: Hold the disposable FFP2 face
mask mask firmly and place the bottom headband over the head to the nape of the
neck. Place the mask over the nose putting the top headband over the crown of the
head. Ensure the nose clip is securely moulded around the nose, resting the ends
against the cheek to obtain a good seal. To check the fit, place both hands
completely over the respirator and inhale vigorously. If air leaks at the edge, readjust
the mask, manipulating the nose bridge and headband to effect an acceptable seal.
If a proper seal cannot be obtained DO NOT enter the contaminated area.
FFP2 Respiratory Mask Protection Against:
Wood Dust, Aluminium,Gypsum, Graphite, Magnesium Oxide, Platinum, Coal, Lead,
Chrome, Silica,Welding Fumes.
If greater protection is required please see out FFP3 Respiratory Masks
FFP2 Respiratory Mask Protection for:
Mining.Welding.Moulding.Iron and steel
foundries.Pharmaceuticals.Construction.Agriculture.Base metal
manufacture.Shipbuilding/repair.Potteries.Foodstuffs.Powdered
chemicals.Laboratories.Powdered additives.Saw mills
FFP3 respirators
FFP3 respirators provide protection against solid and liquid aerosols and smoke containing
the following materials such as : Asbestos, calcium carbonate, china clay, cement, cellulose,
sulfur, cotton, flour, carbon, ferrous metals, hardwood, silicon, plastic, vegetable oils and
mineral oils, copper, aluminum, bacteria, fungi, Mould spores and mycobacterium
tuberculosis (T.B.), chromium, manganese, nickel, platinum, strychnine, metal dust and
smoke, viruses such as Avian flu and enzymes.
All you need to know about disposable dust masks
What’s your problem?
When working in industry, you can breathe in a range of dusts, vapours, fumes and mould spores or germs
that can cause serious lung diseases, such as occupational asthma, farmers’ lung and chronic bronchitis.
Severe cases may mean that you have to give up work and face the economic and social consequences.
What can you do about it?
Industry bodies and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are committed to reducing these diseases.
Some industries can achieve this by working with less harmful substances or by containing or removing the
hazard. This isn’t always possible in agriculture, so when doing very dusty work such as grain handling or
working with mouldy straw, you might need to wear respiratory protective equipment (RPE) as well as
enclosing and extracting the dust and using good work practices to reduce the health risks.
Many types of RPE can protect you against dusts, but small agricultural enterprises are most likely to use
lightweight disposable respirators, also known as ‘dust masks’.
To help ensure you are protected, all respirators provided for use at work must be CE marked to show that
the design has been tested to a recognised standard. They must also be marked with that standard, which
for disposable respirators is EN 149: 2001. Additional markings, such as FFP1, FFP2 or FFP3, indicate the
protection level that you can get if the respirator is a good fit and you use it correctly. The higher the
number, the better the protection. FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 respirators can reduce the amount of dust you
breathe by factors of 4, 10 and 20 respectively. An FFP3 respirator is advisable if you are exposed to high
levels of grain dust or mould spores.
Manufacturers must provide written information with each box or pack that includes details such as the safe
use of respirators and their limitations. They may also give details of how to fit them correctly and check for
a good fit. You may not get this information if you buy a single respirator from a larger pack. When you buy
disposable respirators this way for use at work, make a point of asking for a copy of the manufacturer’s
technical information.
If it leaks it doesn’t protect
Even if you have this information, finding a suitable respirator is not simply a matter of choosing a model
you like the look of, or the cheapest. Not all faces are the same and neither are disposable respirators. You
might need to try different makes or sizes to find one that fits without leaking around the seal and letting
dust in. A respirator that depends on face fit is useless if you have a beard or thick beard stubble. The only
way you can know if the seal is good enough is by having a proper respirator fit test. At present this is also
the only way of meeting legal requirements. The respirator manufacturer’s helpline, testing companies and
reputable suppliers will be able to advise you.
You should carry out a pre-use check every time you put on your respirator. Always check that it is fitted
according to the manufacturer’s instructions, eg ensure that the straps and strip for moulding the respirator
around your nose are correctly adjusted, then hold the mask in place and breathe in or out sharply. You
should readjust the respirator if you detect any leakage around your face or your glasses steam up when
you breathe out.
What else?
FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 are designed to filter out dust only. They must not be used where there is an
oxygen-deficient atmosphere or harmful gases and vapours.
You should discard disposable respirators at the end of the shift or sooner if they are heavily contaminated.
Never hang up a respirator in a dusty place for use later on.
If wearing a respirator interferes with spectacles, hearing protection or head protection, a powered visor
may be more suitable.
What shouldn’t you wear?
Some retailers also sell products known as nuisance dust masks or comfort masks that look like dust
respirators but are not marked with CE or with any standard. They often have only one head strap. These
are not intended for use when a respirator should be worn. You should never use a nuisance dust mask
instead of an approved respirator when working with grain dust or mouldy hay, straw, grain or other
material that could cause occupational asthma or farmer’s lung. Packaging for these masks might be
labelled, ‘This product does not provide respiratory protection’, or something similar.4
FFP2 is the equivalent of the US N95 and FFP3 is the equivalent of the
US N99 grades.
knowledge about respirators and escape masks.
I thought dust masks were dust masks some just prettier than others but
apparently there are three types FFP1 FFP2 FFP3.
FFP1 are basically just bits of cloth to cover your mouth and nose with
so straight onto FFP2 and 3
(To cut a long story short I have just made a mad dash to invest in a
pack of FFP3 masks to replace the FFP1s in the GHBS)
Disposable Mask FFP2 valved
High protection, cost-effective respirator mask
Disposable fold flat FFP2 respirator mask with exhalation valve. FFP2 is the
equivalent of N95. FFP2 masks offer protection from fine toxic dusts, fibres,
aqueous mists, and oil based mists. CE Marked. EN149.2001
Disposable Mask FFP Features
• FFP2 rated respirator mask to EN149:2001 (N95)
• protection from fine toxic dusts, fibres etc
• high protection from airborne infection (95% efficiency)
• built in exhalation valve improves efficiency and comfort
• deluxe fold flat design with fully adjustable bands (now latex free)
Use: The FFP 2 disposable face mask is for single use only. It should not be used
for more than 8 hours continuously and should be safely discarded after use. Use
only when a concentration of contaminants is not immediately dangerous to life or
health, and only in accordance with the applicable health and safety standards. As
required by the European Health and Safety requirements the user is advised that
when the disposable face mask is in contact with the wearer's skin, it may cause
allergic reaction to susceptible individuals.
Correct fitting of FFP2 disposable face masks: Hold the disposable FFP2 face
mask mask firmly and place the bottom headband over the head to the nape of the
neck. Place the mask over the nose putting the top headband over the crown of the
head. Ensure the nose clip is securely moulded around the nose, resting the ends
against the cheek to obtain a good seal. To check the fit, place both hands
completely over the respirator and inhale vigorously. If air leaks at the edge, readjust
the mask, manipulating the nose bridge and headband to effect an acceptable seal.
If a proper seal cannot be obtained DO NOT enter the contaminated area.
FFP2 Respiratory Mask Protection Against:
Wood Dust, Aluminium,Gypsum, Graphite, Magnesium Oxide, Platinum, Coal, Lead,
Chrome, Silica,Welding Fumes.
If greater protection is required please see out FFP3 Respiratory Masks
FFP2 Respiratory Mask Protection for:
Mining.Welding.Moulding.Iron and steel
foundries.Pharmaceuticals.Construction.Agriculture.Base metal
manufacture.Shipbuilding/repair.Potteries.Foodstuffs.Powdered
chemicals.Laboratories.Powdered additives.Saw mills
FFP3 respirators
FFP3 respirators provide protection against solid and liquid aerosols and smoke containing
the following materials such as : Asbestos, calcium carbonate, china clay, cement, cellulose,
sulfur, cotton, flour, carbon, ferrous metals, hardwood, silicon, plastic, vegetable oils and
mineral oils, copper, aluminum, bacteria, fungi, Mould spores and mycobacterium
tuberculosis (T.B.), chromium, manganese, nickel, platinum, strychnine, metal dust and
smoke, viruses such as Avian flu and enzymes.
All you need to know about disposable dust masks
What’s your problem?
When working in industry, you can breathe in a range of dusts, vapours, fumes and mould spores or germs
that can cause serious lung diseases, such as occupational asthma, farmers’ lung and chronic bronchitis.
Severe cases may mean that you have to give up work and face the economic and social consequences.
What can you do about it?
Industry bodies and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are committed to reducing these diseases.
Some industries can achieve this by working with less harmful substances or by containing or removing the
hazard. This isn’t always possible in agriculture, so when doing very dusty work such as grain handling or
working with mouldy straw, you might need to wear respiratory protective equipment (RPE) as well as
enclosing and extracting the dust and using good work practices to reduce the health risks.
Many types of RPE can protect you against dusts, but small agricultural enterprises are most likely to use
lightweight disposable respirators, also known as ‘dust masks’.
To help ensure you are protected, all respirators provided for use at work must be CE marked to show that
the design has been tested to a recognised standard. They must also be marked with that standard, which
for disposable respirators is EN 149: 2001. Additional markings, such as FFP1, FFP2 or FFP3, indicate the
protection level that you can get if the respirator is a good fit and you use it correctly. The higher the
number, the better the protection. FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 respirators can reduce the amount of dust you
breathe by factors of 4, 10 and 20 respectively. An FFP3 respirator is advisable if you are exposed to high
levels of grain dust or mould spores.
Manufacturers must provide written information with each box or pack that includes details such as the safe
use of respirators and their limitations. They may also give details of how to fit them correctly and check for
a good fit. You may not get this information if you buy a single respirator from a larger pack. When you buy
disposable respirators this way for use at work, make a point of asking for a copy of the manufacturer’s
technical information.
If it leaks it doesn’t protect
Even if you have this information, finding a suitable respirator is not simply a matter of choosing a model
you like the look of, or the cheapest. Not all faces are the same and neither are disposable respirators. You
might need to try different makes or sizes to find one that fits without leaking around the seal and letting
dust in. A respirator that depends on face fit is useless if you have a beard or thick beard stubble. The only
way you can know if the seal is good enough is by having a proper respirator fit test. At present this is also
the only way of meeting legal requirements. The respirator manufacturer’s helpline, testing companies and
reputable suppliers will be able to advise you.
You should carry out a pre-use check every time you put on your respirator. Always check that it is fitted
according to the manufacturer’s instructions, eg ensure that the straps and strip for moulding the respirator
around your nose are correctly adjusted, then hold the mask in place and breathe in or out sharply. You
should readjust the respirator if you detect any leakage around your face or your glasses steam up when
you breathe out.
What else?
FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 are designed to filter out dust only. They must not be used where there is an
oxygen-deficient atmosphere or harmful gases and vapours.
You should discard disposable respirators at the end of the shift or sooner if they are heavily contaminated.
Never hang up a respirator in a dusty place for use later on.
If wearing a respirator interferes with spectacles, hearing protection or head protection, a powered visor
may be more suitable.
What shouldn’t you wear?
Some retailers also sell products known as nuisance dust masks or comfort masks that look like dust
respirators but are not marked with CE or with any standard. They often have only one head strap. These
are not intended for use when a respirator should be worn. You should never use a nuisance dust mask
instead of an approved respirator when working with grain dust or mouldy hay, straw, grain or other
material that could cause occupational asthma or farmer’s lung. Packaging for these masks might be
labelled, ‘This product does not provide respiratory protection’, or something similar.4
FFP2 is the equivalent of the US N95 and FFP3 is the equivalent of the
US N99 grades.
