What kind of RPE to use when welding?

What kind of RPE to use when welding? Let's take a look at the example of a shipyard.

The shipbuilding industry includes welding. Lots of welding. It is performed both in confined and open spaces. If welding is done in a confined space, then we face such danger as lack of oxygen. In this case, it is necessary to use isolating RPE, which allows you to forget about all harmful substances in the air.

When welding in open spaces and the presence of oxygen is at least 17%, filtering RPE is used. What does it protect from? First of all, from particles (fine dust). Particles of metal are deposited in the lungs and are harmful to health. The second factor is smoke accompanying the welding. It contains harmful gases, for example ozone.

For such work in a shipyard we recommend using UNIX 2100 half mask complete with UNIX 223 P3 R D filters. The corresponding recommendation is based on measurements carried out using Drager X-am 5000 gas analyzer at seven plants, covering twenty-seven workplaces.