MSA Optimair® 6 and Optimair® 6A

NIOSH Respirator User Notice

Issue Date: September 30, 1999

From: Richard W. Metzler, Respirator Branch, Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, NIOSH

Subject: MSA Optimair® 6 and Optimair® 6A

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) wishes to inform users of powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR) that Mine Safety Appliances (MSA) Company is recalling certain Optimair® 6 and Optimair® 6A brush-motor type PAPRs manufactured between June 1997 and December 1998. MSA Company is conducting this recall due to the potential for low air-flow. MSA Company investigated several reports of low air-flow on Optimair® 6 and Optimair® 6A PAPRs manufactured between June 1997 and December 1998 and determined the cause to be a loose motor impeller.

Low air-flow can result in the user receiving less respiratory protection than is expected.

The affected PAPRs can be identified by checking the serial number located on the motor-blower backplate. This serial number should not be confused with the serial number on the battery pack. The specific motor-blowers involved have serial numbers beginning with the following prefixes:

BJH BJJ BJK BJL BJM BJN BJP BKB BKC BKD BKF BKG

BKH BKJ BKK BKL BKM BKN BKP BLB BLC BLD BLF BLG

The Institute recommends that any Optimair® 6 or Optimair® 6A motor-blower units marked with any of these serial number prefixes should be removed from service and returned to MSA. The Institute also recommends that users contact MSA Company Customer Services directly by calling 1-800-MSA-2222 or by accessing the MSA Internet site at http://www.msanet.com/ to obtain additional information on this product recall.

Additional information on this subject may be obtained by contacting NIOSH at 1-800-35-NIOSH or by contacting the Respirator Branch at 304-285-5907.