Economic Justification for Choosing Individual Respiratory Protection Means

Abstract

Objective. Develop a theoretical and methodological approach to economically justify the selection of individual respiratory protection means (IRPM) taking into account the risk of occupational respiratory organ diseases caused by workplace air pollution and the impact of respirators on employee productivity. Methods. The study uses analytical methods, probability theory methods, statistical data analysis of respiratory diseases in employees, and economic-mathematical modeling methods. Results. The proposed methodological approach for choosing IRPM for respiratory protective equipment for employees takes into account both the expenses for procurement and maintenance of respirators, as well as the losses associated with their use. This includes the economic impact of occupational diseases caused by dust exposure, reduced employee productivity when using IRPM, and accidents related to its use. Analytical dependencies are used to calculate the losses of various types of respirators, considering their protection class, breathing resistance, and usage conditions. These conditions include the difficulty of work, meteorological conditions, maximum single permissible dust concentration in the workplace air, and the duration of work in harmful conditions. The probability of occupational diseases caused by dust is assessed based on probability relationships.. Scientific novelty. The proposed methodological approach for selecting IRPM for respiratory organ protection is unique in its comprehensive consideration of procurement and maintenance costs and the losses associated with using or not using IRPM. This includes the economic consequences of events related to the occurrence of occupational diseases caused by dust, reduced employee productivity when using IRPM, and accidents related to IRPM use. Practical value. Implementing the proposed approach for selecting IRPM for individaul respiratory protection means will allow companies to justify their expenses for purchasing and maintaining respirators and reduce the risk of occupational diseases caused by dust exposure among employees working in harmful conditions. Keywords: risk, occupational diseases, harmful occupational factors, dust, working conditions, individual respiratory protection means, economic justification.