I haven't started wearing one, yet, and I am actually surprised that a lot of folks in here don't. I am going to purchase the proper mask in the next few weeks. I didn't know it could be this serious.
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Roof Cleaning and Pressure Washing in Anne Arundel County, and Howard County, Maryland
You have to wear a mask, it's just smart. I have a steady employee and some part timers,everyone gets their own mask and goggles and are responsible for them after they are issued. They leave with them at the end of each day and return with them when they work.
Wow! I started this post a long time ago! My son still won't wear one and he's worked for me roof cleaning since 1994. I have bought a few styles of respirators, but he doesn't like any of them. He's 32 and I just talked to him about it again 2 weeks ago. He says no. I have never worn them either and i've been squirtin' chlorine since about 1978-but not these strong roof mixes-I started that in about 1991 I believe. I did wear a mask, just to try it once and I really hated it myself. I still believe a respirator should be worn, if you can make yourself do it?
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I wear a 3M mask half mask with chlorine filters and goggles. Chlorine fumes are tough on the lungs (just look what the fumes do to equipment). Plus, my lungs are sensitive to the fumes, so I don't take any chances.
Is designed to provide comfortable, reliable worker protection against certain oil and non-oil based particles including those present with nuisance levels* of acid gases such as sulphur dioxide, hydrogen fluoride, and/or chlorine.
An excellent choice for work settings that involve heat, humidity and long wear periods. Suggested applications include glass etching, chemical processing, paper processing, aluminum smelting and brewing operations where particles and nuisance levels* of acid gases may be present. Its lightweight construction promotes greater worker comfort and contributes to increased wear time.
*3M recommended for relief against nuisance levels of acid gases. Nuisance level refers to concentrations not exceeding OSHA PEL or applicable government occupational exposure limits, whichever is lower.
After reading the post about being shut down by HUD I thought I'd mention something that might be of concern if someone was working on any kind of government project. Get the 3M respirators 8576, P95 and at least put it around your neck if you can't stand wearing it. Those damn OSHA guys can really be a pain.
I was on a job once where the OSHA inspector went to all the cords plugged in, pulled them out enough as to not disconnect and when he found one w/o a ground , unplugged it and waited for the person to show up to plug it in. The end had to be cut off and the cord had to be removed from the building and if it happened again he threatened fines. The guy had to drive to the supply house and buy a new end for his cord. Something like two hours lost. Just my two cents.
After reading the post about being shut down by HUD I thought I'd mention something that might be of concern if someone was working on any kind of government project. Get the 3M respirators 8576, P95 and at least put it around your neck if you can't stand wearing it. Those damn OSHA guys can really be a pain.
In our case the Hud inspector wouldve really blown his top had we all been wearing ppe. His biggest concern was the residents. Dont try explaining constant exposure Vs passing exposure to someone who doesnt care to listen.
I was 100% right. We werent doing a thing wrong but I was afraid to argue too much. That guy couldve made my life a living hell if he wanted to. Theres no telling who all he couldve had out there waiting to shut us down.
I use a MSA Comfo Elite respirator with the GMC-P100 combination filter. These filters are rated for most organic vapors, and CL. These are a little expensive however the filters have a longer lifetime than most of the other filters since they are 2 stage carbon filters.
I wear one when I shoot from a ladder, but not on the roof or while I'm house washing. I wish I would have been wearing them one time when I was opening a pale of acid.... whewww. My nose is still burning.
I wear a respirator when doing tile roofs, any commercial roof that may take a few hours to clean. They really work and keep out the vapors. I will clip it around my neck if wearing on a small job and put it on when the smell gets too intense. If there is a breeze usually will keep it off, but the longer I do this the more I know I should wear it on every job. It's SH and breathing it in is not good at all even in small portions or light mixes. The only exception is exteriors, the mix for that is so light it does not bother me at all.
I guess I am immune to the smell too, in 98 when I first smelled roof mix it made me cough and sneeze like a SOB and have headaches from it.
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ORLANDO / CENTRAL FLORIDA "SAFE NO PRESSURE ROOF CLEANING" AND PRESSURE WASHING Since 1998.