The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) said all metal and nonmetal mine operators and contractors using airline respirators should carefully examine their respiratory protection program because even one misuse of this equipment can result in a fatality.

“If a respirator’s airline terminal coupling can be connected to equipment other than a designated breathable air source, a fatality can result,” MSHA said.

Airline respirators are typically used in painting, cleaning, abrasive blasting, refining, and

working in confined spaces. Coupling compatibility problems have resulted in the inadvertent supply of nonrespirable gas to the respirators of some nonmine workers, resulting in their deaths.

“We urge all mine operators to incorporate standard operating procedures making airline couplings incompatible with outlets for other gas systems and to provide training and instruction on the proper use of respirators and their limitations,” MSHA said.