In this episode, host Mark Reggers and 3M’s Terry Gorman, Occupational Hygienist and respiratory protection specialist in PPE, are discussing all about Supplied Airline Systems. Usually, respiratory protection takes the form of filtering or air purifying products, that take the air being breathed in from the environment and filter out the unwanted impurities, such as particles or vapours. Supplied Airline Systems are required when the air is either too toxic to filter or presents a risk of unknown substances being present in a contaminated are that are unable to be filtered from getting into the worker’s lungs.

Terry covers the application and use of Supplied Airline Systems, the various components of a system, cleaning, servicing and maintenance programs and some more detailed specifications around air pressure, air-conditioning, multiple worker systems and training to ensure correct use and reliable service or Supplied Airline Systems.

Guest Bio:

Terry Gorman is a Certified Occupational Hygienist who has been involved in workplace safety for nearly 30 years. He has worked for 3M Australia and New Zealand in the Personal Safety Division for 18 years. Terry is a current member of the Australian/New Zealand Standard Committees responsible for respiratory protection (AS/NZS 1715 & 1716) as well as the Eye/Face Protection Standards Committee (AS/NZS 1337 & 1338).

He currently represents Standards Australia on the International Standards Organisation (ISO) Committee TC94/SC15, a team of international specialists creating a set of global respiratory standards.

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In this episode, Mark & Terry discuss the following:

• Where does supplied air systems sit in relation to respiratory protective equipment?
• When would or should a workplace consider a supplied air system?
• Are there limitations workplaces should be aware of?
• What components make up a supplied airline system?
• Can any compressor be used for an airline system?
• Why is compressed air filtration required?
• How many people to be attached?
• What types of hoses are used? Can any compressed air hose be used?
• What tests need to be done to check the air quality?
• What are the different types of head tops that can be used?
• How detailed would the training be for a user at the end of a supplied air system?
• What are the service and maintenance requirements for a supplied air system set up?
• Where can the listeners go and get further information about Supplied Airline Systems?

Supplied Airline Systems are systems that use a clean air source and supply that to the wearer. By using a supplied air system, we don't need a filter in that contaminated area, since the worker’s breathing is taking place independent of the external atmosphere. We can use systems where we can cool or heat the ambient air that's arriving to that respirator by something in the order of 25 degrees Celsius.

Additional Resources:

• Podcast Transcript
• SafeWork Australia – PPE
• WorkSafe NZ – Respiratory Protective Equipment
• Standards Australia – AS/NZS 1715:2009 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• RESP-FIT
• 3M Australia – Centre for Respiratory Protection
• 3M Australia – Centre for Respiratory Protection Fit Testing
• 3M New Zealand - Centre for Respiratory Protection
• 3M New Zealand– Centre for Respiratory Protection Fit Testing

Contact a 3M Safety Specialist at scienceofsafetyanz@mmm.com for more information.