RPE, Dust Masks & Respiratory Protection

At Start Safety, we take pride in offering an extensive range of dust masks and respiratory protective equipment (RPE). You will find everything required in our range to protect yourself from dangerous dust and vapours encountered in workplaces. All of our products in this range are ready to ship with fast next-day delivery.

Our status as a distributor allows us to receive exclusive discounts from manufacturers, enabling us to buy stock in bulk and offer competitive prices to our customers. We only stock quality equipment suitable for use in a commercial environment, giving you and your staff peace of mind that all your items will comply with UK health and safety requirements.

With so many styles, options, and filter types available, finding the best respiratory protection for your needs can be daunting. To help make things easier, we work directly with well-known manufacturers to help you find the right RPE for your requirements; you can pick up the phone and speak to a member of our friendly team on +44 (0)1905 794875 or reach out to us through the chat box.

Disposable Face Masks

These mostly single-use masks are ideal for low-intensity work in areas where hazards are present. They come in both valved and unvalved formats, with a range of styles to choose from to suit your individual needs.

Filtration levels available in this range include FFP2 and FFP3, with additional activated carbon masks available for use with nuisance odours.

Half Masks

These tight-fitting masks feature a body made of a soft rubber or similar mask. They are more robust in design and are suitable for low-medium intensity activity. Many models on offer feature removable filter cartridges, cutting down on long-term costs.

Filtration options within this range include; P3, ABEK1P3, and A2P3.

Full Face Masks

As the name suggests, these larger masks seal around the face’s outer edge, covering the users’ features with a see-through window. This is the only suitable mask to use when working with asbestos. Due to the hazardous environments this mask is appropriate for, there should be a consious effort made by the user to ensure the mask is properly fitted and tested.

These masks feature removable filtration cartirdges, with options including P3 Filters, A2P3 and ABEK1P3.

Powered Air Masks

These powered air masks offer respiratory protection for users with facial hair or those working long shifts in a physically intense environment. They are considered loose fitting and protect the wearer from hazards by creating a shield of lightly pressurised filtered air within the face covering. This positive air pressure prevents the ingress of particulates. However, this has limitations; for example, it cannot be worn when working with asbestos or in windy environments.

In the workplace, it is your employer's responsibility to ensure that adequate RPE equipment is used and, just as importantly, appropriately used. Below are a few examples of activities that require respiratory PPE include;

Welding

Particulates from welding can, over time, lead to cancer and damage to the nervous system.

Cutting

If cutting bricks or concrete, the silica dust produced can cause illnesses such as silicosis. Engineered wood, such as MDF, can release elements that can cause lung cancer if inhaled.

Using Solvents

Painting, glueing and varnishing, as well as many other tasks, can release fumes which can cause dizziness, headaches and nausea.

Cleaning

Sweeping and even using cleaning chemicals can kick up dust or aerosolise solvents that can cause long-term health issues if proper protection is not worn.

Working With Asbestos

The fine fibres released by disturbed asbestos can cause mesothelioma, a rare type of lung cancer.

Maintenance Work

Whether you are carrying out maintenance in a dusty loft space or blasting brake dust off a train carriage, running gear appropriate RPE should be worn.