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PAPRs and Communication
Millions of American workers use respiratory protection to help keep them safe on the job. This includes workers in general industry, construction, mining, emergency response, and healthcare. Powered Air-Purifying Respirators, or PAPRs, are a special type of respirator providing many advantages, including providing more options for two-way radio communications than most tight-fitting respirators.
Powered Air-Purifying Respirators, PAPRs, have a battery-powered fan that pulls air through attached filters or cartridges to clean the air before delivering it to the breathing zone. PAPRs provide low breathing resistance with a high level of protection. This special type of respirator can be used to protect against gases, vapors, or particles by using an appropriate filter, cartridge, or canister for the hazard at hand.
PAPRs often have a hood or helmet that covers the user's nose, mouth, and eyes (providing eye and face protection). A PAPR may have a tight-fitting half or full facepiece or a loose-fitting facepiece, hood, or helmet. Unlike tight-fitting PAPRs, loose-fitting PAPRs do not require fit testing. PAPRs can be a good solution when an employee has facial hair or is unable to pass a fit test with a tight-fitting respirator.
PAPRs also accommodate more options for two-way radio communications than most tight-fitting respirators. When a respirator is tightly sealed around the face, using a traditional headset with boom mic is not possible. A good option for communicating clearly with any respirator is CavCom‘s Talk Through Your Ears® (TTYE) system which features an in-ear microphone, bypassing the typical speech pathway. When using a loose-fitting PAPR, both TTYE and a lightweight headset such as CavCom‘s Phantom™ can be good options for keeping in communication with the work team. When hands-free is necessary, check into TeamTalk™ full-duplex options.
Contact CavCom to determine options for clear communication for your PAPR users.
Resources
NIOSH [2018]. A Guide to Air-Purifying Respirators. By Cichowicz J, Coffey C, Fries M. Pittsburgh, PA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2018-176, https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2018176.
NIOSH [2024]. Respirator Selection Guide for the Healthcare Industry. By Kiederer M, Casey M, Sietsema M, McClain C, Haas EJ, and Page F. Pittsburgh, PA: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2025-102, https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2025102.
NIOSH [2025]. Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Respiratory Protection Handbook. By Szalajda JV, Greenawald LA, Janssen L, Johnson AT, Johnson JS, Mansdorf SZ, Medici OR, Metzler RW, Rehak TR. Pittsburgh, PA: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2025-111.
OSHA Respiratory Protection eTool: Selecting an Appropriate Respirator
