What is required for respiratory protection when working above permissible exposure limits?

When working above permissible exposure limits for airborne contaminants such as lead, respiratory protection is crucial to safeguard the health and safety of workers. The use of appropriate respiratory protection must include a HEPA filter and other necessary filters specifically designed to capture harmful particles. HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are capable of trapping a significant percentage of very small particles, including lead dust, which is essential in environments where exposure is elevated and thus poses serious health risks.

Using disposable masks, standard surgical masks, or opting not to wear protective equipment altogether falls short of providing the necessary defense against lead exposure. Disposable masks do not offer the level of filtration required in these situations, nor do standard surgical masks, which are primarily designed to protect against biological contaminants rather than highly toxic materials like lead. Therefore, using HEPA filters, along with any additional required filters, is vital for ensuring proper respiratory protection when working in lead-abatement scenarios above the permissible exposure limits.