With growing attention focused on workers’ exposure to respirable crystalline silica,
PiONAiR has introduced its RX-3000 Hardhat All-in-One PAPR, a compact powered air respiratory protection system designed to simplify compliance while delivering a high level of protection in demanding industrial environments.
Recent concerns surrounding silica dust exposure have been heightened by reports of severe silicosis cases among workers involved in cutting and finishing engineered stone and quartz worktops. At the same time, the Health and Safety Executive has increased its focus on guidance and enforcement relating to engineered stone dust, prompting many employers to reassess the effectiveness and practicality of their respiratory protection measures.
Developed for use in construction, stoneworking, utilities, maintenance and other dust-intensive industries, the RX-3000 combines powered respiratory, head and eye protection in a single integrated unit.
Unlike conventional powered air systems, which typically rely on a belt-mounted blower, breathing hose and separate battery pack, the new system houses the blower, filter and battery within the helmet itself, giving users a self-contained solution that can be donned quickly before work begins.
The RX-3000 provides loose-fitting TH3/APF40 powered respiratory protection, eliminating the need for face-fit testing and making it suitable for workers with facial hair, often a significant challenge when using tight-fitting disposable or reusable masks. The helmet also incorporates EN397 hard-hat protection and an EN166 1 B impact-rated flip-front visor, enabling users to benefit from respiratory, head and eye protection in a single piece of equipment.
Additional design features include a rear-mounted filter positioned away from the direct dust path to help reduce filter loading, while three selectable airflow settings allow wearers to tailor comfort and airflow levels to suit different working conditions. The flip-front visor can also be raised when required without removing the entire helmet assembly.
Ricard Pomeroy, product manager at PiONAiR, said: “The RX-3000 was designed around a simple idea: make high-level powered protection easier to wear, easier to manage and easier to keep in use. With no belt-mounted blower or hose, it gives workers a single all-in-one unit that reduces restriction and helps simplify day-to-day use.”
He added: “For many employers, the challenge is not just choosing compliant RPE. It is making sure workers actually wear it correctly, especially where face-fit testing, facial hair and comfort can create barriers. Loose-fitting powered air helps remove those barriers.”
Designed for protection against particulate hazards including silica, wood, cement, plaster grinding dusts, as well as metal fumes, mists and airborne particles, the RX-3000 offers more than six hours of battery life, an IP54 rating and optional helmet-mounted ear defenders providing SNR 32dB hearing protection.
PiONAiR is also offering dedicated storage solutions, including a Pro-Stack Heavy Duty PAPR Storage Case, to help protect equipment between uses. The RX-3000 is available through the company’s distributor network, with no-obligation site demonstrations also available for employers and contractors interested in evaluating the system.