When hazardous events such as chemical leaks or toxic gas releases occur, the ability to evacuate safely depends heavily on selecting the right escape respirator. In this Safety+Health Magazine article, Elmridge Protection President Ira J. Gurvitch breaks down the critical considerations organizations must evaluate when choosing a NIOSH-approved escape respirator.
The article outlines the three primary categories of escape respirators: mouth-bit respirators, air-purifying respirator (APR) hoods, and compressed-air escape bottles, highlighting how each option differs in protection level, usability, training requirements, maintenance, and cost. Rather than promoting a one-size-fits-all solution, the piece emphasizes aligning respirator selection with real-world risk profiles, workforce capabilities, and emergency response planning.
Beyond hazard type, the discussion addresses practical operational factors such as communication during evacuation, reuse after false alarms, maintenance demands, and deployment speed. The article reinforces that escape respirators are not merely pieces of equipment, but critical components of a broader safety ecosystem designed to preserve life when time is limited.
You can read the full Safety+Health magazine article at the link below:
https://secure.viewer.zmags.
Alternatively, you can download the article as a PDF by clicking the image below.
