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PD ISO TS 16975 โ Respiratory Protective Devices Selection, Use and Maintenance (Parts 1 & 2)
Respiratory Protective Devices โ Selection, Use and Maintenance โ Parts 1 & 2 (BSI Published Documents, 2017)
๐ PD ISO/TS 16975 is a BSI Published Document implementing ISO/TS 16975, the International technical specification covering the selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective devices (RPD). The series comprises two parts: Part 1 sets out the systematic requirements for establishing and implementing an RPD programme, while Part 2 provides condensed guidance so that organisations with limited resources can establish a workable programme. The series introduces the concept of ISO Protection Levels (PLs), which represent the degree of respiratory protection that a class of RPD is expected to provide to wearers when used within an effective RPD programme.
๐ก ISO PLs bridge product performance standards and field practice: they are derived by professional judgement from previous assigned protection factors (APF), their associated nominal protection factors (NPF), and knowledge of the differences between laboratory and workplace protection performance โ giving a common reference for RPD selection.
1. Scope and General Framework ๐
PD ISO/TS 16975 covers two things: the procedural requirements for the selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective devices, and the operational guidance needed to establish the programme. Part 1 is aimed at occupational health and safety managers and specialist bodies, and specifies the objectives, elements, documentation and assessment of a programme. Part 2 condenses the same core content into a shorter document for organisations with limited resources.
Subclause 7.6.4 requires that where national or local regulations exist for breathable gas quality, those requirements shall be met. The document draws attention to BS EN 12021, Respiratory equipment โ Compressed gases for breathing apparatus, as the reference standard for breathable gas quality.
| Part | Reference | Subject | Primary Audience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | PD ISO/TS 16975-1:2016 | Establishing and implementing a respiratory protective device programme | OHS managers, HSE engineers |
| Part 2 | PD ISO/TS 16975-2:2016 | Condensed guidance to establishing and implementing an RPD programme | SMEs, site supervisors |
โ ๏ธ Until the proposed ISO PLs have been validated (when RPD conforming to the performance standards become available for assessment), the PLs are provided for information only. In the interim, the assigned protection factors published by the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in HSG53, Respiratory protective equipment at work โ A practical guide (HSE, 2013), should continue to be used.
2. The Concept of ISO Protection Levels (PLs) ๐ง
The ISO PLs were proposed by ISO/TC 94 (respiratory protection) on the basis of accumulated field data, intended to replace reliance on a single laboratory-derived assigned protection factor by a grading that also reflects device category, facepiece type, fit, and maintenance. The PLs are derived from professional judgement based on previous APFs, their associated NPFs, and knowledge of differences between laboratory and workplace protection performance of current products.
The document stresses that establishing PLs is the result of product standards, usage guidance and programme management working together. When selecting equipment on the basis of a PL, users should also consider the hazard class, exposure limits, work duration and the physiological condition of the wearer, so that the chosen level matches the risk.
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The significance of PLs is to drive a quantitative match between “protection level” and “risk level”, turning RPD selection from experience into structured assessment, and providing a common interface for future revisions of product standards.
3. Establishing and Implementing an RPD Programme ๐ฅ
The central idea of the document is that respiratory protection is only effective if the device is part of a complete programme. An effective RPD programme should include at least the following elements:
- Risk assessment: identify contaminant types, concentrations, particle size and exposure duration, and determine the required protection level.
- Device selection: choose the class and model on the basis of ISO PLs or assigned protection factors, considering face shape and work activities.
- Training and fit: train wearers in donning, seal checking and doffing, and ensure that the facepiece fits the face well.
- Maintenance and storage: define cleaning, disinfection, inspection, filter replacement and storage conditions.
- Records and improvement: record selection rationale, training, fit tests, maintenance logs and exposure monitoring, and review the programme periodically.
Part 2 condenses these elements into checklists and decision flows so that organisations without dedicated safety staff can build a closed-loop programme step by step.
4. Breathable Gas Quality and Related Standards ๐ฉ
Subclause 7.6.4 sets a principle for breathable gas quality: where national or local regulations exist, the gas shall meet those requirements. To help users comply, the document explicitly names BS EN 12021 as the reference standard for compressed breathing gas quality. This is especially important for supplied-air respirators, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and airline systems, where gas quality directly affects life safety.
Because RPD is often worn with other personal protective equipment (eye/face, hearing, chemical suits), the document also emphasises compatibility across the whole ensemble to avoid protection gaps.
๐จ Breathable gas quality is a non-negotiable safety baseline: oxygen content, levels of harmful gases (CO, COโ, etc.), oil mist and particulates, and moisture must satisfy BS EN 12021, and supply systems should be tested periodically.
5. Engineering Practice Essentials ๐ ๏ธ
- ๐ Selection logic: complete hazard identification and exposure assessment โ determine the required protection level โ match the device class against ISO PLs or APFs โ then choose the air supply mode by work duration and workload.
- ๐ง Fit and adaptation: face shape and nose bridge vary among wearers; provide several sizes and carry out fit testing; never share fitted facepieces.
- ๐ Maintenance schedule: base filter replacement on manufacturer instructions and contaminant loading; log every cleaning and disinfection to prevent cross-contamination.
- ๐ Records: integrate selection, training, fit, maintenance and monitoring records into the OHS management system as audit and improvement evidence.
6. Frequently Asked Questions โ
โ Q: How do ISO Protection Levels (PLs) relate to assigned protection factors (APFs)?
A: PLs are conceptual gradings derived from APFs, NPFs and laboratory-versus-workplace performance knowledge; until they are validated, the APFs published by the UK HSE in HSG53 remain the primary selection basis.
A: PLs are conceptual gradings derived from APFs, NPFs and laboratory-versus-workplace performance knowledge; until they are validated, the APFs published by the UK HSE in HSG53 remain the primary selection basis.
โ Q: What is the difference between Part 1 and Part 2?
A: Part 1 gives the complete programme requirements and documentation; Part 2 presents the same core content more concisely for smaller organisations. The content is consistent, differing only in detail.
A: Part 1 gives the complete programme requirements and documentation; Part 2 presents the same core content more concisely for smaller organisations. The content is consistent, differing only in detail.
โ Q: Which standard governs breathable gas quality?
A: The document refers to BS EN 12021, Respiratory equipment โ Compressed gases for breathing apparatus, and requires that national or local regulations on gas quality be met if they exist.
A: The document refers to BS EN 12021, Respiratory equipment โ Compressed gases for breathing apparatus, and requires that national or local regulations on gas quality be met if they exist.
๐ Q: Why should the programme be documented?
A: Documented selection rationale, training records, fit results and maintenance logs are the basis for continued effectiveness, auditability and traceability, and form part of an OHS management system.
A: Documented selection rationale, training records, fit results and maintenance logs are the basis for continued effectiveness, auditability and traceability, and form part of an OHS management system.