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How hard to breathe in a full face respirator?

Discussion in 'Tanker, Bulk and Dump Trucking Forum' started by Dark_Majesty_06, Mar 11, 2015.

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  1. Mar 11, 2015 #1
    Dark_Majesty_06

    Dark_Majesty_06 Road Train Member

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    Hey guys, I have a chance to join a hazmat tanker outfit that requires a full hazmat type suit and full face respirator. I went today to take my pulmonary breathing physical.. Its like a hard core version of a breathalyzer and Im not going to lie.. I came a chin hair from passing out. I passed the test but It has me second guessing using a mask if the test is that hard.
    So I'm looking for any input on how hard it is to breathe and the like. How are those hazmat suits in the dead of summer? I imagine very hot along with a face mask.
    Is it worth it for 25% of the load( they haul sulfuric acid, ammonia and some kind of dry bulk), fully paid family benefits/paid holidays/401k and the like? Is it worth it to sale my manliness of my beard for a clean shaven face the rest of my career? Lol.
    Thanks for any and all input.
     
    Dark_Majesty_06, Mar 11, 2015
    Dark_Majesty_06, Mar 11, 2015
    #1
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  3. Mar 11, 2015 #2
    marineman227

    marineman227 Dock Waterer

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    I would require 110% of the load revenue to shave my beard. That is all
     
    marineman227, Mar 11, 2015
    marineman227, Mar 11, 2015
    #2
    Dark_Majesty_06 Thanks this.
  4. Mar 11, 2015 #3
    Dark_Majesty_06

    Dark_Majesty_06 Road Train Member

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    Yeah, well.. I am "thinking" on it. I guess money triumphs my beard.. Just don't tell my beard I said that until I know for sure.
     
    Dark_Majesty_06, Mar 11, 2015
    Dark_Majesty_06, Mar 11, 2015
    #3
  5. Mar 11, 2015 #4
    marineman227

    marineman227 Dock Waterer

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    During the test you just had to blow in the tube and see how high you could get the meter right? The masks are nothing like that. Saying full face respirator leaves a few options but I'm assuming it's the type with either 1 or 2 cartridge filters? Those really aren't too bad to breathe through, not like you have to force air through it. You just have to get used to the hot air staying around your face when you breathe out, other than that no worries. the suits we had (haz mat response team previously) absolutely sucked. They were hot in the summer and cold in the winter and you came out of them wet from sweat either way.

    The he rest of it I can't help you with as I decided haz mat wasn't worth the hassle years ago so I don't know much about it.
     
    marineman227, Mar 11, 2015
    marineman227, Mar 11, 2015
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  7. Mar 11, 2015 #5
    Dark_Majesty_06

    Dark_Majesty_06 Road Train Member

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    Yes, full face with 2 cartridges. I haven't seen the chemical suits yet but figure they are much like the ones I hear Schneider tanker drivers complaining about.
     
    Dark_Majesty_06, Mar 11, 2015
    Dark_Majesty_06, Mar 11, 2015
    #5
  8. Mar 11, 2015 #6
    marineman227

    marineman227 Dock Waterer

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    The respirator itself is no worse than any other dust mask or anything.
     
    marineman227, Mar 11, 2015
    marineman227, Mar 11, 2015
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  9. Mar 11, 2015 #7
    KW Cajun

    KW Cajun Road Train Member

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    You do realize that if you take the job, you have to wear the mask 24/7/365, even at home making whoo-whoo with the wife. ;)

    Seriously,, the masks aren't very restrictive to breathing at all.
    It's usually annoying/irritating, but even that depends on the individual.
     
    KW Cajun, Mar 11, 2015
    KW Cajun, Mar 11, 2015
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  10. Mar 11, 2015 #8
    wsyrob

    wsyrob Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I would ask them how often you do the actual unloading. I can count on my fingers the number of times I have needed to suit up in 7 years. The worse the chemical the more likely the plant unloads it has been my experience. Too much liability for them to let someone they didn't train do it.
     
    wsyrob, Mar 11, 2015
    wsyrob, Mar 11, 2015
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  11. Mar 11, 2015 #9
    Wild Murphy

    Wild Murphy HAPPY TRUCK DRIVER

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    Where I come from we have a name for people that don't have beards.

    They're called women.
     
    Wild Murphy, Mar 11, 2015
    Wild Murphy, Mar 11, 2015
    #9
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  12. Mar 11, 2015 #10
    Dark_Majesty_06

    Dark_Majesty_06 Road Train Member

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    Got it. Well.. That will spice up the bed room life then.... Lol! Thanks yall.. I just didn't know if there was a reason for that breathing test being so hard or if its just another thing to roll with.
    So any input on the pay and benefits? I can't seem to get a straight answer for home time.. Just.. "our longest run is 4 days." That doesn't tell me much.
     
    Dark_Majesty_06, Mar 11, 2015
    Dark_Majesty_06, Mar 11, 2015
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