What is the OSHA protection factor for a Supplied-Air Respirator (SAR)?

The OSHA protection factor for a Supplied-Air Respirator (SAR) is 1,000. This means that when using a SAR, the respirator can provide a level of protection that is 1,000 times greater than the exposure level in the environment, given that the respirator is properly fitted and maintained. The high protection factor reflects the effectiveness of supplied-air respirators in environments where the concentration of harmful particles, gases, or vapors is significantly elevated.

Supplied-Air Respirators are designed to provide clean, breathable air from an uncontaminated source. They are particularly useful in situations where harmful airborne contaminants may exceed permissible exposure limits, or where the atmosphere is immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH). Therefore, the ability of a SAR to protect workers to such a high degree emphasizes its critical role in occupational safety, especially for individuals working in environments with potential exposure to asbestos or other hazardous materials.

In contrast, other options reflect lower protection factors applicable to different types of respiratory protection, such as air-purifying respirators, which would naturally have lower levels of protection due to their reliance on filters rather than a continuous supply of clean air.