WHY RESPIRATORY
PROTECTION IS SO IMPORTANT
Any environment where people are exposed to harmful inhalants demands an appropriate level of caution in protecting the sensitive respiratory system from irritants, particles, chemicals, and viruses, which may result in illness, death and/or permanent disability.
Making safety a priority in the modern workplace has become a legal requirement, not just in terms of the long-term welfare of workers but also potential liability if rigorous health and safety standards are not properly adhered to.
Choosing the right mask for the right area of application is equally important, as much as ensuring that stringent quality, health and safety standards are met at all times.
HOW TO CHOOSE
THE RIGHT MASK
Various work environments place different demands on a face mask, from simple dust filtration to hazardous materials to protection from airborne viruses. U-Mask offers a risk assessment service to advise our clients on the proper respiratory protection for their needs.
It is recommended to conduct a hazard assessment to identify potential risks and how they can be mitigated by protection classes, then move onto considerations such as fit and comfort.
MASK GUIDELINES
PROTECTION CLASSES
The mask classifying system consists of three FFP (Filtering Facepiece) protection classes, which are the definitive minimum requirements in terms of Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs)*: the average concentration of a substance in the air, up to which no damage (chronic or acute) is to be expected if an employee works up to eight hours a day for five days a week.
The table below serves as a broad guide to the various protection classes, but it is both the employers’ and the wearers’ responsibility to ensure the right FFP class is determined for hazardous and concentrated environments before use!
* OELs are intended to replace Maximum Workplace Concentration (MWC) and Technical Reference Concentration (TRC) guidelines. However, both aforementioned values are not yet fully accounted for in OELs and can still be used on an interim basis for assessing risks in the workplace.
CLASS
THRESHOLD
description
FFP1
4x
Basic protection against solid and liquid particles that are not toxic, nor associated with fibrosis, nor carcinogenic, nor radioactive, nor airborne biological substances from risk group 3, nor enzymes.
FFP2
10x
Intermediate protection against hazardous and harmful, vapour and smoke particles that are not radioactive, nor airborne biological substances from risk group 3, nor enzymes.
FFP3
30x
High protection against poisonous particles, vapour and smoke; solid and liquid aerosols with a high filtering classification, bacteria and viruses, as well as radioactive materials, airborne biological substances from risk group 3, and enzymes.
CLASS
FFP1
THRESHOLD
4x
description
Basic protection against solid and liquid particles that are not toxic, nor associated with fibrosis, nor carcinogenic, nor radioactive, nor airborne biological substances from risk group 3, nor enzymes.
CLASS
FFP2
THRESHOLD
10x
description
Intermediate protection against hazardous and harmful, vapour and smoke particles that are not radioactive, nor airborne biological substances from risk group 3, nor enzymes.
CLASS
FFP3
THRESHOLD
30x
description
High protection against poisonous particles, vapour and smoke; solid and liquid aerosols with a high filtering classification, bacteria and viruses, as well as radioactive materials, airborne biological substances from risk group 3, and enzymes.
U-MASK QUALITY
GUARANTEE
U-Mask uses only the latest technology in the manufacturing of our particle filtering half masks, and offer the ultimate in disposable respiratory protective devices against a host of different particulates.

DUSTS
Fine airborne particles – formed when solid matter is broken down.
MISTS
Tiny liquid droplets – formed by condensation or through processes like spraying.
METAL FUMES
Fine airborne metal particles – formed after metal vaporised at high temperatures condenses.
GASSES
Any substance in its gaseous state – often odourless and invisible, spread freely through the air.
VAPOURS
Any substance suspended in the air – often through evaporation, usually still in a liquid or solid state.
REMEMBER THAT
YOUR MASK IS ONLY
AS GOOD
AS IT FITS!

Setting the benchmark in
respiratory safety.
LIMEROC BUSINESS PARK, ERF 1812 SIMELA STREET, KNOPPIESLAAGTE 385-JR, CENTURION, 0157
E: admin@u-mask.co.za
T: 010 900 0573
Products
FLAT FOLD RANGE
2001 Econo / 2002 Econo Valve
9200 Premium / 9201 Premium Valve
9202 Premium Carbon Valve
9300 Premium Valve
MOULDED CUP RANGE
3001 Econo
9400 Premium Carbon Valve
9400 Pro-Welder
MEDICAL RANGE
11000 3-Ply Surgical
5000 Series
Manufactured
using 98% locally
produced materials
