GVS / RPB Safety

Respirators and Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) are both critical pieces of personal protective equipment used to safeguard the respiratory health of workers in various environments, but they differ significantly in design, function, and suitable applications. Ohio Power Tool offers a selection of both types from GVS and RPB Safety, ensuring that workers can find the right respiratory protection for their specific needs.

A respirator typically refers to a mask-like device that covers at least the nose and mouth, though often the entire face, filtering particulate matter, gases, or both as the wearer breathes. These devices can range from disposable masks to more durable, reusable models with replaceable filters. Respirators are categorized into two main types: air-purifying respirators, which remove contaminants from the air using filters or cartridges, and atmosphere-supplying respirators, which provide a clean external source of breathable air. They require a snug fit to ensure that air does not leak around the edges of the mask, bypassing the filtration system. Common applications for respirators include environments with dust, mist, or chemical vapors, such as in construction, painting, or chemical handling tasks where air quality cannot be controlled through ventilation alone.

On the other hand, PAPRs are a type of air-purifying respirator that includes a battery-powered blower, which draws air through filters or cartridges to clean it before delivering it into a facepiece. This powered system reduces the breathing effort required from the wearer and ensures a continuous supply of purified air, making it suitable for longer durations of wear and for users who find negative pressure respirators (like simple face mask respirators) uncomfortable or fatiguing. PAPRs are particularly beneficial in environments where contaminants are not only present but are in such concentration or require such protection level that enhanced filtration and face seal are necessary. These include pharmaceutical manufacturing, healthcare settings during infectious outbreaks, or industrial painting and coating processes where high levels of vapors or particulates are released.

Both GVS and RPB Safety provide advanced designs in respirators and PAPRs, focusing on user comfort, effective filtration, and reliability in protection. Choosing between a respirator and a PAPR often comes down to the specific job requirements, the duration of exposure, and the need for mobility and comfort during wear. Ohio Power Tool’s experts can help guide users to the appropriate choice based on these factors, ensuring maximum respiratory protection in hazardous work environments.