At Hazardex Live 2025, Ian Kelsall, the Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE) Business Development Manager for Draeger Safety Ltd., will take a look at some of the benefits offered by Powered Air Purifying Respirator systems and address some of the perceived barriers too.

When specifying RPE many know how to understand hazards, select protection levels and specify appropriate RPE. But what about its suitability? Increasingly specifiers are facing challenges caused by human, task and environmental factors. These can range from facial hair to the physicality and exertion required, the duration of the task to temperature or even the compatability with other PPE needed. Many are moving to Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) as a solution to suitability factors not addressed by tight-fitting respiratory protection.

About the author:

Ian Kelsall is the Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE) Business Development Manager for Draeger Safety Ltd. With 16 years’ experience in the Safety Industry, Ian has focused on Application and Business Development. He has played an integral role in many new powered air, supplied air and other RPE development projects, contributing from concept creation through to user development testing. Working across most sectors Ian has extensive experience in supporting industry with RPE specification, training and end-user trials. Ian has also contributed technical expertise to RPE Product Approval and Standardisation Committees.