Raising the Standard: Why Advanced Respiratory Protection Matters More Than Ever

Respiratory health is rapidly becoming one of the most critical challenges facing Australian workplaces. Rising exposure to airborne contaminants — including dusts, fumes and hazardous chemicals —continues to place workers at risk, particularly in construction, mining, manufacturing and remediation environments. For individuals with pre‑existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), even moderate exposure can significantly exacerbate symptoms and hasten disease progression.

In higher‑risk settings, prolonged or intense exposure can result in irreversible and life‑threatening occupational lung diseases, including silicosis, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. As awareness grows and exposure limits tighten, respiratory protection is firmly under the spotlight.

Australia’s Shift to Stronger Exposure Controls

The increasing prevalence of occupational lung disease — most notably silicosis — has prompted a decisive regulatory response. Safe Work Australia is leading a national transition from existing Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) to more stringent Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs).

From 1 December 2026, these WELs will be mandatory, enforceable and legally binding, placing a clear obligation on employers to ensure worker exposure remains below prescribed limits. This represents a fundamental shift: exposure limits will no longer function as guidance alone, but as enforceable benchmarks for compliance.

For businesses, this change carries significant implications. Reliance on outdated monitoring processes, inadequate controls or substandard respiratory protective equipment (RPE) will expose organisations to heightened health, legal and reputational risk.

Proven Protection in High‑Risk Environments

Against this backdrop, the selection of respiratory protection has never been more consequential. Sundström, a Swedish manufacturer celebrating over 100 years in respiratory protection, has built a global reputation for precision engineering, material integrity and long‑term product performance.

Manufactured in Sweden using high‑grade materials, Sundström respirators are designed for consistency and reliability in demanding environments where equipment failure is simply not acceptable. In Australia, the brand has been trusted for over 40 years, with its SR100 half mask, SR200 full face mask and Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) systems widely deployed across construction, mining, spray painting, asbestos removal and remedial works just to name a few industries.

Sundström introduced its PAPR systems to the Australian market nearly 15 years ago, and their near‑zero product failure rate reflects an uncompromising commitment to quality, safety and engineering excellence.

Simplicity Without Compromising Protection

Sundström’s PAPR range is intentionally streamlined to reduce complexity while maintaining high levels of protection. Two fan units are offered to align precisely with task‑specific hazards:

• SR500 PAPR — Designed for protection against both gas and particulate contaminants, the SR 500 features two selectable airflow rates including a 175 L/min normal and a boost function delivering up to 240 L/min, exceeding the airflow capability of many competing systems. By maintaining constant positive pressure, the unit significantly reduces the risk of inward leakage, providing reliable protection even during strenuous work or extended wear.
• SR700 PAPR — A particle‑only lightweight system, widely recognised as an industry‑leading solution for asbestos and other particulate‑heavy environments designed for extended wear. Also offering 2 flow rates at 175 L/min normal and 225 L/min during boost mode.
   

Paired with Sundström’s range of lightweight hoods, helmets, face shields and full‑face masks, these systems support high levels of comfort and protection — particularly in hot, physically demanding conditions. The head-top ability to integrate with external air supply further enhances flexibility for specialised applications.

Modular Design and Long‑Term Cost Efficiency

A defining strength of the Sundström system is its modular design philosophy. High‑efficiency P3 particulate filters are interchangeable across both SR500 and SR700 PAPRs, removing the need to stock multiple filter types for different units. Gas filters offer superior absorption capacity compared with many competing products, extending service life and reducing replacement frequency.

This modularity simplifies training, reduces inventory complexity and delivers tangible long‑term cost benefits — an increasingly important consideration as compliance costs rise.

Equally important is cross‑platform compatibility. PAPRs can be used with all Sundström head‑tops and negative‑pressure respirators and all Sundström head-tops can be connected to airline, allowing organisations to scale protection levels as risks, tasks or regulatory obligations evolve — without replacing entire systems.

Designed for the Future, Not Just Today

Sundström respirators meet Australian Standards approvals and are engineered to support compliance with the newly strengthened exposure limits. Beyond product performance, Sundström provides technical support, servicing capability, full warranty coverage and extended warranty options when equipment is used and maintained correctly in accordance with user instructions — services that are increasingly scrutinised during safety audits and regulatory inspections.

In an era where respiratory programs are assessed holistically, this lifecycle support is critical.

A Trusted Name in a Changing Regulatory Landscape

The introduction of enforceable Workplace Exposure Limits marks a turning point for Australian industry. It demands a shift away from minimum‑compliance thinking toward long‑term respiratory health strategies grounded in robust, adaptable and proven protection.

With a century of experience, a highly modular respiratory platform and a clear focus on future‑ready protection, Sundström continues to set the benchmark for respiratory safety — providing Australian employers and workers with confidence and reliability as regulatory expectations continue to rise.

For more information on the Sundström product range, visit Safety Equipment Australia