English
Asbestos, as a mineral fiber with high strength and resistance to high and low temperatures, has been widely used in various industrial fields. However, it has been clearly classified as a human carcinogen. Long term inhalation of asbestos fibers can induce serious diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and pleural mesothelioma, and the related diseases have a long incubation period and irreversible condition, posing a fatal threat to the respiratory health of asbestos workers.
Respiratory protection, as the most critical protective measure in asbestos operations, is the core defense line to block asbestos fiber inhalation and ensure the safety of workers' lives. It must be strictly standardized and implemented. In asbestos work, asbestos fibers are suspended in the air in the form of tiny particles.
Especially in processes such as dry cutting, grinding, and dismantling asbestos containing products, a large amount of high concentration asbestos dust is generated. These small fibers can easily penetrate the respiratory barrier and deposit in the alveoli, and long-term accumulation can cause lung lesions.
According to statistics, at least 107000 people worldwide die each year from occupational asbestos exposure related diseases. Therefore, asbestos workers must establish the awareness of "protection first" and carry out respiratory protection throughout the process in a standardized manner. Scientific selection of respiratory protective equipment is the foundation.
According to the dust concentration and working environment of asbestos operations, particulate matter respirators that comply with national mandatory standards should be selected. Due to asbestos dust being a non oily particulate matter, protective equipment of KN95 or higher level should be selected. In high concentration work scenarios, priority should be given to using respirators with higher protection levels.
At the same time, it is necessary to ensure a tight fit between the respirator and the face. Before wearing, an air tightness check should be conducted to avoid protection failure due to leakage. The mask structure can be selected as disposable, replaceable half mask or full face mask according to the intensity of the operation. Standardizing the use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment is crucial.
Before starting the homework, it is necessary to check the integrity of the protective equipment, confirm that the filter elements are not damaged, expired, or damp; Wear it throughout the homework and do not remove it randomly. Smoking and eating are strictly prohibited in the work area to prevent asbestos fibers from entering the body through the mouth.
After the homework is completed, the respirator should be removed in the designated area according to the regulations, and the discarded filter elements should be disposed of according to the requirements of hazardous waste disposal. They should not be discarded at will to prevent secondary pollution. In addition, enterprises should fulfill their main responsibility, provide qualified respiratory protective equipment for asbestos workers, regularly conduct occupational health training, popularize asbestos hazards and respiratory protection knowledge, and guide workers to correctly master the selection, wearing, inspection, and maintenance methods of protective equipment.
At the same time, it is necessary to regularly monitor the concentration of asbestos dust in the working environment, take engineering measures such as wet work and local ventilation to reduce dust concentration, create a safe working environment for workers, establish occupational health monitoring records, and regularly organize asbestos workers to undergo physical examinations in order to detect health abnormalities early.
The respiratory health of asbestos workers is related to personal happiness and family peace. Respiratory protection is no small matter, and every detail of the operation cannot be ignored. Only when enterprises strictly implement protection management requirements, workers consciously regulate personal protection, and build a strong respiratory protection line throughout the process, can the hazards of asbestos fibers be effectively blocked, the occupational health of asbestos workers be protected, and every worker can work safely and with peace of mind.
