ABSTRACT
Respiratory and other personal protective equipment may be required to assure safety during entry and work. Reliance on personal protective equipment results from the nature of the work and the impracticality of other means of control. Most of the information available to practitioners focuses on the technical aspects of respirator use. Respirators function by isolating the face and the respiratory system from the contaminated atmosphere. Selection of personal protective equipment for use in confined spaces can become a considerable challenge because of the breadth of hazardous conditions that can occur. Respirators and other personal protective devices must be compatible with the needs and capabilities of human physiology. The equipment was used communally, and cleaned, serviced, and tested prior to reuse. The bulk of the equipment plus the extra weight considerably reduces mobility and reserve strength in cramped quarters. Certain combinations of equipment may prove incompatible for performance of required tasks.
