What respirator do you wear, when grinding metals with toxicity?

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Hi Guys,
I need advice to make sure I am using the correct respirator for the job.
I have been told by a very nice gentleman when I first came to this forum, that the hazards of working with metal dust would be prevented with properly fitting a full or Half face respirator with two P- 100 hot pink pancake filters( the last 4 words I made up), when I would be grinding or sanding metal and even cadmium.
I know there is not that much lead in 12L14, but I do not know about the leaded bronze which I turn into rollers on the lathe.
Lead dust is .1 micron in size according to the chart online. P-100 filter 99.7% and I do not know the smallest they will filter, but the same gentleman had more recently told me that these filters are used for asbestos abatement.
Asbestos is .3 microns in size.
AM I being protected when wearing a half or full face mask with the P - 100 pink pancake filters?
Any Advice is greatly appreciated,
Jon
 
i have always used painters masks with carbon and cotton filters...paper masks are a joke..don't know why people even bother with those
 
The paper masks do work as rated. I also agree with Ray, the ones with the vent are both more comfortable and seal better.

I recently got a half face mask, and it is even better. It is a 3M 6291 (that is the medium sized model from that series). The seal is soft and comfortable, and I get a decent seal, even with a beard. There are also a number of different cartridges that can be purchased. I have the pink P100 filters that have some amount of protection from vapors, but don't rely on them from protection from vapors; it mostly just removes some of the smell.

As far as what type of cartridge, those pink p100 cartridges should be great for any particulates you encounter. For working with vapors, you will want something intended for vapors, or a forced ventilation setup. There are vapor rated cartridges for the mask listed above.
 
As far as the paper masks are concerned, you'll notice they all have a number like 85, 90 or 95 etc... That is the percentage of particulate matter they filter provided you fit it to your face properly. The rating is a test based on a national standard. Masks like this do not filter vapors or "organic" fumes suitable for automotive spray painting; for that you'll need to get a different type of unit that has replaceable cartridges. I've done fine with the simple ones and have them from several brands and I usually get the 90 or 95 rated units. The do work quite well if you spend a few moments to bend the metal nose-bridge to fit your face properly. Always get the kind that have two rubber straps. The really cheap ones with a single rubber band are pretty useless and don't even have the filtration rating system numbers on them.


Ray
 
All of the posts are good, accurate and appropriate. However, please understand that it doesn't matter the quality/rating of the mask and filter/bottle system if you don't have a good seal.

The mask must have a good seal to your face or you will suck in air and all the nasties you are trying to avoid. Emergency Responders sometimes believe they are somehow special. My belief is that anytime someone is working in an environment that is a danger to life and health, those persons deserve appropriate PPE.

OSHA Procedure Standard: https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=9780

Fit Test Video: https://www.osha.gov/video/respiratory_protection/fittesting_transcript.html

Facial hair clarification: (https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=19237)


Thank you,
Daryl
MN
 
All of the posts are good, accurate and appropriate. However, please understand that it doesn't matter the quality/rating of the mask and filter/bottle system if you don't have a good seal.
The mask must have a good seal to your face or you will suck in air and all the nasties you are trying to avoid. Emergency Responders sometimes believe they are somehow special. My belief is that anytime someone is working in an environment that is a danger to life and health, those persons deserve appropriate PPE.

OSHA Procedure Standard: https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=9780

Fit Test Video: https://www.osha.gov/video/respiratory_protection/fittesting_transcript.html

Facial hair clarification: (https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=19237)


Thank you,
Daryl
MN
I was hoping you would post. I really appreciate your information. I had been warned by a friend of my wife's husband, who works for OSHA. IN A SMALL basement shop one or two class D fire extinguishers?
Thanks for any advice,
Jon
 
Like I always told my guys, if you can smell it you are breathing it...

Binks mask, carbon fume with cotton dust filter
373819_330356540322857_1509331728_n.jpg

373819_330356540322857_1509331728_n.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
IN A SMALL basement shop one or two class D fire extinguishers?

I am neither a Fire Inspector, nor Gods gift to fire mitigation.
The following is merely my opinion:
Class D extinguishers are formetal fires involving magnesium, sodium, potassium and sodium-potassium alloys. These metals are usually found at in the airplanes, auto body shops, auto part stores. Working with these metals? If so, then yes you should likely have a Class D. If not, why bother with the trouble and expense. A fresh ABC is likely very appropriate. I write fresh, because they should be inspected and "re-charged" (it's not just about the PSI, as the powder cakes at the bottom) as recommended. From what I understand the biggest problem with extinguishers is that people use them to fight room and contents fires, when they are best suited when it's still waste basket size. A second problem is that people delay calling 911 until their locate and deploy their extinguisher. Thirdly often times people are confused about how best to aim and deploy an extinguisher.

I did a Google video search and found this. It seems appropriate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw4uIiXUCY4
However, I encourage you to contact your local fire department and ask if they would consider doing a demonstration and citizen training at a local community event. If they worked in conjunction with a local fire extinguisher supplier they might even sell some.

Regarding how many. I had no idea. Thus, I did some more OSHA searching and found:
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/evacuation/portable_placement.html
This seems to be a good and succinct link.

I've got an extinguisher near my garage exits, as I want my egress clear and pre-planned.

Again, consider asking your local fire department to offer training. The local inspector may even offer to do an unofficial inspection and offer advise, unless of course you have a business in which case the inspections are required (although they may not follow through depending on their resources).


Daryl
MN
 
I have co2 all around...one big bottle to flood the shop if needed..close the door and hit the valve..(siphon tank)
 
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