Respiratory Protective Equipment For Asbestos Removal |
The code of practice on how to safely remove asbestos gives the below guidance on selection of RPE.
The most efficient respirator and filter for the task should be used. Proper fit is critical; fitting a disposable half-face respirator can be difficult. Consideration should be given to upgrading to a non-disposable half-face respirator. The selection of appropriate respiratory protection for different tasks, assuming the correct work procedures are being followed. Consideration needs to be taken for personal features including facial hair or where glasses are worn. Full protection cannot be achieved if either of these factors interferes with the face seal. Information provided below is from SafeWork NSW Code of practice, How to safetly remove asbestos December 2022.
| Work Procedure | Required Respirator | Filter Type | Best Sellers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple enclosure erection — no direct handling | Disposable or half-face particulate respirator | P1 or P2 | Titan P2 Pro Choice PC321 3M 9322A+ |
| Inspecting friable asbestos in poor condition | Disposable or half-face particulate respirator | P1 or P2 | Force360 RWRX251 RWRX351 3M 6225 Kit |
| Sampling asbestos material | Disposable or half-face particulate respirator | P1 or P2 | STS TS01 SR900 Kit 3M 6535 Kit |
| Removing non-friable asbestos | Disposable or half-face particulate respirator | P1 or P2 | Sundstrom SR100 SR100 Kit |
| Extensive friable sampling | Full-face particulate filter respirator | P3 | 3M FF-400 3M FF-300 SR200 |
| Small friable removal tasks (gaskets, insulation) | Full-face particulate filter respirator | P3 | 3M 6000 3M FF-600 Vision SR200 |
| Wet or dry stripping (effective saturation) | PAPR full-face or positive pressure airline respirator | P3 | STS SYNC01 3M PF-600 + FF-302 SR700 + SR200 |
| Dry stripping (ineffective wetting) | PAPR or positive pressure airline respirator (mandatory) | P3 | 3M PF-600 + PF-603 SR700 + SR200 |
| Dry stripping in confined areas | Hooded continuous flow airline respirator (no lesser respirator) |
P3 (as backup) | Contact Us for suitable options |
Respirators are classified by the type of hazard they protect against, their APF (assigned protection factor), and the specific substance(s) they’re approved for. There are other ways that you may also commonly see respirators classified as well, such as:
Negative-pressure respirators rely on the wearer to pull air in through cartridges or filter.
Positive-pressure respirators do the work of pushing air to the respirator headtop or facepiece; using a battery-powered blower to pull air through a filter.
Did you know that beards, moustaches, and even stubble can prevent a tight-fitting respirator from sealing correctly? According to Australian Standard AS/NZS 1715, any facial hair that interferes with the sealing surface of a respirator compromises its effectiveness. If you wear a tight-fitting disposable, half face, or full face respirator, you must be clean-shaven where the mask contacts your face.
In situations where shaving isn’t possible, loose-fitting powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) may be a better solution. These don’t rely on a facial seal and can still offer high protection for workers with facial hair.
Read more about facial hair and respirator compatibility here ›
Allens Industrial Products isn’t just your every day work wear & safety shop, we are experts and specialists in respiratory protection and the asbestos removal industry. Allens Industrial is your single source supplier to the asbestos removal industry. with branches in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and transportation available Australia wide you can trust that providing TRUE SERVICE is our number one priority.
Need help choosing the right respiratory gear? Below are answers to common questions about respirator selection, fit testing, and filter use when dealing with asbestos removal or hazardous environments.
The best respirator for asbestos removal depends on the type of task and level of risk. For basic enclosure or sampling, a P2 half face respirator is often sufficient. For friable asbestos or high-risk work, a P3-rated full face respirator or a PAPR (Powered Air Purifying Respirator) is recommended. Allens offers a full range of compliant options to meet asbestos mask requirements in Australia.
P2 filters offer protection against mechanically and thermally generated particles and are suitable for most asbestos tasks. P3 filters provide a higher level of filtration and are recommended for friable asbestos or tasks with increased airborne fibre risk. Knowing the difference between P2 vs P3 for asbestos helps ensure proper protection.
Yes. For tight-fitting respirators, including disposable, half face, and full face models, a fit test is required under AS/NZS1715. This ensures the mask forms a proper seal and delivers full protection. If you're unsure about fit testing for asbestos masks, our team can guide you through it or provide testing kits and services.
Allens Industrial specialises in respiratory protection for asbestos removal. We stock top brands like 3M, Sundstrom, Shigematsu, and Moldex, and understand asbestos mask requirements in Australia inside out. Our team offers expert guidance and fast delivery nationwide.
There’s no set timeframe. Factors like humidity, air quality, and usage frequency all affect lifespan. For P2/P3 filters, change them when breathing becomes difficult. For PAPRs, swap filters if battery life drops or alarms sound. Keeping filters fresh is crucial for safety, especially with asbestos particles.
No. Facial hair interferes with the seal of tight-fitting respirators, compromising protection. A clean-shaven face is required for compliance. If shaving isn't possible, consider a loose-fitting PAPR unit which doesn’t rely on a facial seal and still meets Australian standards.
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