Noun phrase

Uncountable

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is equipment designed to be worn in a contaminated atmosphere to protect against oxygen deficiency and/or exposure effects of substances hazardous to health, including radioactive particulates and gases.
It can be divided into two major classes, based on the principle by which the protection is given to the wearer:
1) Respirator (filtering device) – this filters or cleans contaminated air from the workplace before it is inhaled by the wearer. It should not be worn in environments which are immediately dangerous to life or health including oxygen-deficient atmospheres;
2) Breathing apparatus – this delivers breathable air or oxygen to the wearer from an independent source. It may be suitable for environments which are immediately dangerous to life or health including oxygen-deficient atmospheres.

Jones 2003, adapted from "The selection, use and maintenance of Respiratory Protective Equipment – a practical guide", HSG53, 2001, HSE Books

Directives 89/656/EEC, 89/686/EEC

The Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002

Facepiece, Breathing apparatus, Filter

RPE, Respiratory protective device

= Apparecchio di protezione delle vie respiratorie

= Appareil de protection respiratoire

= Atemschutzgerät