Breathing Apparatus Service and Maintenance Competency

Cause & Consequence

• Failure of PPE/RPE

Contributing Factor

• Competence

Description of Process

Visually inspect components for signs of excessive wear and tear or damage.

Replace any required maintenance parts as per service schedule.

Carry out full function test to check all required parameters and operation of sets.

Document and Certify the equipment accordingly and log on Certificate portal for customer access.

Report finalised work undertaken to customer.

Description of Incident

An engineer was tasked with carrying out routine BA maintenance for a new client.

The engineer was informed that the previous maintenance had been carried out annually for over a decade by a local provider - with no reported issues.

Several BA sets were found to be defective, requiring repairs and parts that had been ignored for years, including a mandatory major 6 & 12 year service of parts, such as the diaphragm within the LDV which could cause critical issues such as restricted airflow or air starvation, leading to possible fatality due to hyperventilation or suffocation.

It was found that the previous provider was not manufacturer approved, meaning the kit had not been maintained to the correct standard for over 10 years.

Good Practice Guidance

To carry out any service or maintenance on BA, the individual must meet the manufacturers guidance and be manufacturer trained.

Any company or person issuing certification for annual testing for BA that has not been trained by and meeting the manufacturers guidance are providing invalid certificates and the equipment will require to be retested by an approved and trained person/company and new certifications issued.

Reference:

Respiratory protective equipment at work: A practical guide HSG53 Section 5 states must follow manufacturers guidance, which in this case was a trained and competent person by the manufacturer to carry out service and maintenance.