Respiratory Protection for The Whole Mine
Mining operations offer numerous respiratory hazards. Drilling and blasting generate Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS), crushing and material handling keep it airborne, maintenance teams encounter welding fumes and diesel particulate matter (DPM) from heavy mobile equipment, and in underground and open-cut coal operations, coal mine dust is a constant consideration.
Maintaining effective respiratory protection as the work changes throughout the shift is a challenge. The Optrel Swiss Air Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) is the solution. It delivers continuous filtered airflow, lightweight ergonomics and a respiratory system that operates independently of helmets and other PPE, giving workers across a mining operation the flexibility to move between tasks without needing to change their gear.
Designed for Changing Tasks
Unlike traditional powered air-purifying respirators that are integrated into a welding helmet, the Optrel Swiss Air system operates independently of compatible head and face protection.
This allows workers to move between welding, grinding, inspections, maintenance and general site activities while continuing to benefit from powered respiratory protection appropriate for the task at hand.
The system’s ventilated half mask continuously supplies filtered air to the breathing zone using positive pressure, helping reduce breathing resistance while supporting all-day comfort during physically demanding work.
Lightweight Comfort for Longer Shifts
Mining work often involves long hours in challenging conditions, making comfort an important consideration when selecting respiratory protection.
Swiss Air has been engineered to minimise weight carried on the head by positioning the compact blower unit comfortably on the worker’s back. Weighing just 550 g, the blower delivers continuous airflow while the ergonomic carrying system promotes freedom of movement around heavy equipment, workshops and maintenance areas.
The integrated rechargeable battery provides up to 12 hours of operation, helping support continuous use throughout a typical shift.
Flexible Protection to Suit Different Applications
Swiss Air is available in two respiratory protection configurations.
The TH3 configuration features a lightweight fabric “Loose Fit” half mask that does not require conventional fit testing, making deployment across a large or rotating workforce significantly more practical.
For operations requiring the highest level of protection available within the Swiss Air range, the TM3 configuration uses a silicone “Tight Fit” half mask that is available in multiple sizes and is designed to be fit-tested, meeting the compliance standard for higher-risk environments including underground work and tasks generating RCS or DPM.
This flexibility allows businesses to select the most appropriate solution for their workforce and operating environment without compromising on either practicality or protection level.
Supporting Mining Operations Across Australia
As Optrel’s Australian distributor, SMENCO brings local knowledge of mining operations and boots-on-the-ground in the key regions. That presence shapes the technical guidance and support we provide when helping operations identify the Swiss Air configuration best suited to their environment and workforce.
Whether you’re running an underground maintenance crew, a fabrication workshop, a team of shutdown contractors or a processing facility, Swiss Air is the lightweight powered respiratory protection solution that will keep pace with the demands of your operation.
Reach out to our team and we’ll help you with an Optrel Swiss Air PAPR setup.
