Respirators are classified based on their design, intended use, and the level of protection they provide. Here are the main classifications of respirators:

1. Air-Purifying Respirators (APRs):
   • Particulate Respirators: These respirators filter out particles such as dust, smoke, and aerosols. They are commonly referred to as “dust masks” and are classified into three efficiency levels based on their filtering capacity: N95, N99, and N100 (in the United States) or FFP1, FFP2, and FFP3 (in Europe).
   • Gas and Vapor Respirators: These respirators use cartridges, canisters, or filters to remove specific gases, vapors, or chemical contaminants from the air. They provide protection against various chemical hazards but do not protect against particles. Examples include organic vapor respirators, acid gas respirators, and multi-gas respirators.
2. Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs):
   • PAPRs use a battery-powered blower to force ambient air through filters, providing filtered air to the wearer. They offer a higher level of respiratory protection compared to APRs, as they provide a continuous supply of filtered air and can be more comfortable to wear for extended periods.
3. Supplied Air Respirators (SARs):
   • SARs deliver clean, breathable air from an external source to the wearer via hoses or tubes connected to a stationary air supply. They are used in environments with insufficient oxygen levels, or where contaminants exceed the capacity of air-purifying respirators. SARs include airline respirators and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
4. Escape Respirators:
   • These respirators are designed to provide short-term protection for emergency escape from hazardous environments. They are compact and portable, intended for use in situations such as chemical spills, fires, or industrial accidents. Escape respirators typically provide a limited duration of protection and are not suitable for prolonged exposure.
5. Reusable vs. Disposable Respirators:
   • Respirators can also be classified based on whether they are intended for single-use (disposable) or multiple uses (reusable). Disposable respirators are typically discarded after use, while reusable respirators can be cleaned, maintained, and reused multiple times, provided they remain effective and properly fit-tested.
6. Half-Face vs. Full-Face Respirators:
   • Respirators can cover either the nose and mouth (half-face) or the entire face, including the eyes (full-face). Full-face respirators provide eye protection in addition to respiratory protection and are commonly used in environments with potential eye hazards.

Understanding the classification of respirators is essential for selecting the appropriate type of respiratory protection for specific workplace hazards and ensuring the safety and health of workers. Employers should consider factors such as the nature of the hazards, the duration of exposure, the comfort and fit of the respirator, and compliance with regulatory requirements when choosing respiratory protection for their workforce.

Selecting the appropriate respiratory protection for a workplace involves considering various factors, including the types of hazards present, the concentration and duration of exposure, the availability of engineering controls, and the specific needs and preferences of workers. Here are some selection criteria based on different workplace hazards: