Purchase of a mask and filters not suited to the work performed, purchase on spare

This is a very common case that I encounter when working with clients. Many people choose a mask solely based on its appearance or price, without analyzing what specific threats it is supposed to protect against. What's more, many people simply don't know what substances they are dealing with - in short, what they are working with. Don't worry, you're not the only one - many of our clients encounter this problem. Just remember that different work environments require different types of protection.

Example:

👉 Use of dust masks (e.g. disposable non-woven ones) when working with fumes of paints, solvents or chemical gases - the result is a potential risk of poisoning, such masks do not protect against gas and vapours.

👉 Putting on a mask with a P3 filter to work with particles that do not require such protection, e.g. for working with mineral wool where you should use P1 protection - the result is difficult breathing, the high resistance of the P3 filter causes you to get tired quickly, it is difficult for you to breathe, this discourages you from using the mask.

👉 Using a leaky mask and no fit test  remember that the mask only protects when air enters the lungs through the filters. If you inhale air through the sides of the mask, e.g. through your beard, it's a bit like not wearing a mask at all.

💡 Protip from BalticBHP:

✅ If you don't know what you're working with, check the product's technical data sheet in section 8 - there you will always find the manufacturer's suggested protective measures.

✅ Check the filter guide provided by the manufacturer.

✅ Perform a fit test - remove the filters, cover the filter slots tightly with your hand, try to take a breath. The mask should stick to your face.

Buying a mask without checking how many and what filters you need to buy and what comes with the mask - the price of the mask alone is not everything

This is also a common case. We buy something that is cheap without paying attention to the elements that we need to buy to use the product safely. It's like buying a cheaper car but without rims and tires. You can't ride it without additional expenses.

Example:

👉 In the set with the Sundstrom mask you get additional accessories - mask bag, pre-filter, filter cover - you don't get these in e.g. 3M masks.

👉 3M masks do not allow for any combination of dust filters with gas filters - Series 2 filters are not easily compatible with gas absorbers. In the Sundstrom system, you can easily combine each filter with another. This will allow you to: 1. maintain safety at work because you can use the right combinations of filters, 2. save on purchases.

👉 Number and price of filters needed for safe work -some systems require only 1 filter, e.g. Sundstrom for 1 mask only 1 filter, others 2 pcs. e.g. 3M for 1 mask minimum 2 filters on both sides, check the price of the set before you decide to buy.

💡 Protip from BalticBHP:

✅ Check the product description and additional accessories you will receive with the mask.

✅ Check the price of replacement parts for the mask.

✅ Calculate how much you have to spend on the entire set, not just on the mask.

Oh yes, we sometimes come across this approach too :)

The cost of a pre-filter is usually a fraction of what we spend on the main protective filter. Pre-filters are designed to protect the main filter element from rapid clogging and destruction, e.g. by spray paint.

Example:

👉 Spray painting - during such spraying, dust and aerosols always appear that negatively affect the air flow through the main gas filter.

👉 Cleaning work in a very neglected room, a lot of dust and dirt - you use the main filter, e.g. P3, which takes on all the dirt that rises from the floor during cleaning. Some of this dust could be "taken on by the pre-filter, which you then throw away.

💡 Protip from BalticBHP:

✅ Always use pre-filters to extend the life of the main filter. Pre-filter - usually costs from 4 to 12 PLN per set, main gas or dust filter - usually around 40-60 PLN. The calculation is simple.