RPE (Respiratory Protective Equipment)
RPE covers all breathing protection on a building site: dust masks, half-face respirators, and SCBA for confined spaces. Know which type fits which hazard.
Ask Chalkline about this →RPE stands for Respiratory Protective Equipment. It is a subset of PPE specifically designed to protect the wearer’s airway and lungs from airborne hazards including dust, fibres, gases, and vapours.
On a residential construction site, RPE is required for a range of tasks. Disposable P2 respirators (also called P2 masks) are the minimum for asbestos removal, fibre cement cutting, and high-dust activities. Half-face respirators with replaceable cartridges are used for solvent vapours (paints, adhesives) and chemical treatments. Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is required for confined space rescue where the atmosphere may be immediately dangerous to life or health.
For confined space entry, the appropriate RPE is determined by the atmospheric hazards identified in the risk assessment. Where oxygen deficiency or toxic gas is a possibility that cannot be ruled out by monitoring, supplied-air or SCBA RPE is required rather than a filtering facepiece. Rescue personnel must have appropriate RPE pre-staged before any entrant goes in.
RPE selection must follow AS/NZS 1715:2009 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment (verified 2026-05-10).
Also known as: respiratory protection, respirator, SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus)
Category: WHS / PPE
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Last updated: 2026-05-10. Verified: 2026-05-10. Quarterly review for currency.