Some spaces aren’t meant for human occupancy. When working in a confined space or area with poor air quality, such as a manhole, utility tunnel, basement, warehouse, and other industrial settings, you and your team will need to either wear or install some form of respirator protection.
Finding the right respirators and filters depends on the environment in question and how you plan on navigating the space. The two leading forms of respiratory protection are a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or a supplied air respirator (SAR). Learn about the differences between the two and which is best suited for your team.
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
An SCBA is a portable respirator that comes with a finite supply of air, including containers meant for 30-, 45-, or 60-minute intervals. The SCBA respiratory model allows the worker to navigate the space freely. However, these containers will need to be replaced often. It limits the amount of time the worker can occupy the space.
Even though the container says it is meant to last for a certain period of time, that may not be the case in practice. If the person is under duress or taking in too much oxygen, the container may run out sooner than expected. It’s not unheard of for a 30-minute capsule to run out in just 15 minutes.
SCBAs can also be rather bulky. Workers will need to get used to carrying around larger canisters. This may limit their range of motion or wear some workers down in the field.
Supplied Air Respirator
A SAR comes with an attached hose up to 300 feet in length that keeps the worker connected to a fresh supply of air. This allows the worker to occupy the space for longer periods of time. It also comes with an emergency escape capsule with 5 to 10 minutes of oxygen in case the worker gets disconnected from the line and can no longer breathe. The worker will then use the emergency capsule to breathe until they reach the exit. Again, it’s important to note that the 5-10-minute capsule may not last as long in practice, especially if the person is breathing heavy.
The worker must also stay tethered to the hose at all times. This may limit their range of movement inside the confined space. If the worker is standing still, this will allow them to work for longer without running out of oxygen. However, the hose should not block the entrance or exit to the confined space. The air pressure should also be regulated during occupancy.
Which Is Right for You?
According to OSHA guidelines, workers must wear either an SCBA or SAR with an escape capsule if the contaminate concentration is considered hazardous to humans or the oxygen is below 19.5%.
Consider how long your workers will need to occupy the space before choosing between the two. If you and your team need to stay mobile without occupying the space for more than an hour, SCBA may be the right choice for you. If the worker needs to stay in the space for long periods of time, SAR will likely be the best choice. Contact the safety supply professionals at PK Safety to learn more about the best confined space entry kits, respirators, and filters.