From construction sites and chemical manufacturing plants to firefighting and emergency response operations, many workers face hazardous environments where respiratory safety is a matter of life and death.
Exposure to dangerous gases, vapours, and airborne particles can lead to serious health consequences and long-term occupational risks, making effective respiratory protection essential. In this context, full-face masks conforming to the European standard EN 136 (‘Respiratory protective devices – Full face masks – Requirements, testing, marking’) provide critical protection by shielding workers against harmful substances in the air.
EN 136, which supports the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on Personal Protective Equipment, is currently being revised within CEN Technical Committee 79. The ETUC has joined this work to help ensure that the level of protection remains strong, fit for purpose, and fully aligned with today’s workplace realities.
