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PAPR-PDS Positioning - Safety Alert

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Safety Alert

Effective Powered Air-Purifying Respirators and Proximity 
Detection Systems Positioning

Since 2024, 33 mines have been granted the use of a Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) through the Petition for Modification process. Electromagnetic interference can cause failure of a miner-worn Proximity Detection System (PDS) if it is not worn as recommended, such as being worn too close to the battery or motor/blower of a PAPR. The illustrations show how miners can position these devices when using belt-worn and neck-supported PAPRs and maintain the recommended separation distance.

Multiple illustration of PDS posioning with belt-worn or neck-supporting PAPR.

Best Practices

To prevent interference, miners must maintain at least six inches of separation between their PDS and the battery or motor/blower of their PAPR.