Face masks for use when vaporising OA

[bingevader]

V's holding a box of fire while encased in a suit that could easily catch fire around all the risks of tripping/angry bees and panic, I'd say it's well down the list.

ref mask; Moldex 898225 8000 Series ABEK1 and P3 RD, also used when cutting YEW (nasty stuff).

But you have training, or should have, for the risks you have mentioned, but not for sublimation.
People keep saying that it is safe as long as it is done correctly.
There are other easier and safer methods for beginners.
Once they're used to the fire, flammable suit, tripping, angry bees and panic, that you mention, then maybe.
I certainly wouldn't want to add sublimation of a hazardous chemical, face masks and filters to the list and wouldn't put them well down that list either.
If it was easy, you wouldn't need all the extra gear to protect you.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Well a couple of years ago I did a demo at home for a few people and later at our association meeting. By the following year most people who treated had bought a Varrox.

 

[Poly Hive]

With the greatest respect Dani you are a highly qualified person who probably has a considerable amount of common sense.

My work experience with both supposedly the cream of the British workforce and the general public has left me a tad cynical about "commmon sense" which I have found is about as common as talking rocking horses.

If there is a less risky method of doing things that is my preferred path.

There seems to be a rather weird fascination in beekeeping and especially south of the border for hot things. Blow torches seem to have taken a bit of a back seat recently possibly as the hot urge is now satisfied by gassing colonies on an extrodinary frequent basis. Didn't someone say recently they were doing it every four days or something?

As I keep saying I find that one dose a year does the trick for me. Nice and simple and a damn sight safer.

Better safe than sorry. KISS

PH

 

[For want of a better word]

With the greatest respect Dani you are a highly qualified person who probably has a considerable amount of common sense.

My work experience with both supposedly the cream of the British workforce and the general public has left me a tad cynical about "commmon sense" which I have found is about as common as talking rocking horses.

If there is a less risky method of doing things that is my preferred path.

There seems to be a rather weird fascination in beekeeping and especially south of the border for hot things. Blow torches seem to have taken a bit of a back seat recently possibly as the hot urge is now satisfied by gassing colonies on an extrodinary frequent basis. Didn't someone say recently they were doing it every four days or something?

As I keep saying I find that one dose a year does the trick for me. Nice and simple and a damn sight safer.

Better safe than sorry. KISS

PH

Just for you
eBay item number:
352827358623

 

[Millet]

Well a couple of years ago I did a demo at home for a few people and later at our association meeting. By the following year most people who treated had bought a Varrox.

Common sense kicked in i see..i can not honestly see a easier and quicker method for treating bees for varroa..light the gas vap place a cap of product on each colony..put the organic vapour gas mask on and then vape the hives from behind under the open mesh floor..less than 20 seconds per colony with no roof or crown board getting popped of..
In my first year as a beginner i used Apilife Var and as i has mentioned before i was saddened by the amount of dead brood on the inspection tray..in the same year i moved over to a varrox and i have never looked back since (only forwards)..no more dead brood no dead Queen just dead varroa..

 

[Hachi]

Thank you for all the advice. I would welcome some instruction. If I go ahead, I will purchase a varrox, (probably Thornes) passive type, rather than the active version.

I'm close to you and would pop over and show you how I do it if you want?

 

[Erichalfbee]

I'm close to you and would pop over and show you how I do it if you want?

Hooray
Well done.

 

[E&MBees]

I'm close to you and would pop over and show you how I do it if you want?

Thank you for the offer. If you have time, I would be very grateful.

 

[charlievictorbravo]

I use one of these..https://tinyurl.com/yx2e9p3w

A MOLDEX Dust MASK FFP3 NR D Mask Air Plugs R D Mask with Air Valve

(Note the ad is for FFP2 and FFP3... you must use FFP3 for OA)

I also wear spectacles ..

I vape with a heated tray affair.. Provided you are sensible and watch the wind direction - vaping into an entrance with the wind blowing towards you is VERY risky and I do not do it.

The above masks fit very comfortably, work well and most importantly - when wearing glasses - don't mist them up..

If I was using a gas vaping device pumping gases into the hive I would wear a full mask.. But with gases driven by heat and wind currents only a simple mask is sufficient.

Just catching up on some reading. I had a look at that face mask and I agree that it might not be suitable where a lot of vapour is produced quickly such as with a Gas Vap. I vaped 20 hives and Nucs at a local group's apiary last Saturday. Despite the fact that an assistant was working upwind, measuring out the treatment, he still had the occasional whiff of OA vapour. We agreed that , if the group purchased a proper Gas Vap (mine is homemade) we'd also buy two sets of PPE so that the assistant is fully protected too. The only problem for me , with an ex-MoD full face mask, was I had to work without my spectacles because the arms prevented a good seal on the side of the face.

We were thinking of these https://www.screwfix.com/p/jsp-forc...p3/1863f#product_additional_details_container and these https://www.screwfix.com/p/site-slimline-safety-goggles/1721k

I found, working with the Gas Vap that heat resistant gloves are also needed to remove the hot (used) caps.

CVB

 

[Hachi]

Thank you for the offer. If you have time, I would be very grateful.

I'll PM my number. Give me a call.

 

[mbc]

With the greatest respect Dani you are a highly qualified person who probably has a considerable amount of common sense.

My work experience with both supposedly the cream of the British workforce and the general public has left me a tad cynical about "commmon sense" which I have found is about as common as talking rocking horses.

If there is a less risky method of doing things that is my preferred path.

There seems to be a rather weird fascination in beekeeping and especially south of the border for hot things. Blow torches seem to have taken a bit of a back seat recently possibly as the hot urge is now satisfied by gassing colonies on an extrodinary frequent basis. Didn't someone say recently they were doing it every four days or something?

As I keep saying I find that one dose a year does the trick for me. Nice and simple and a damn sight safer.

Better safe than sorry. KISS

PH

Yes, but by your own admission your beekeeping could hardly be classed as successful this past season, so perhaps poo pooing other more successful beekeepers methods while trumpeting your own isn't such a good idea.

 

[Amari]

J

I found, working with the Gas Vap that heat resistant gloves are also needed to remove the hot (used) caps.
CVB

No, an old rag will suffice. KISS.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I note that the spare caps are cheap. I had a look at getting Sublimox spares and they are nearly 40 quid!

 

[Millet]

I note that the spare caps are cheap. I had a look at getting Sublimox spares and they are nearly 40 quid!

End caps and a small piece of copper pipe costs less than £10 for two..i have six here for spares and the soldered ones are ok for a 20 second vape..

 

[Camey]

Just thought I’d give a “quick” comment regarding beards and face masks. I am a new first year bee keeper and have realised by taking a very non scientific straw poll, namely looking around at the bee keepers in my area and local group and on line that there are a reasonable number of beeks who like the bearded bee keeper look.
My “exciting” day job is an offshore Health and safety advisor and Medic, one task involves the responsibility with Respiratory protective equipment ( RPE), including workforce teaching/ training of hazards and controls related to RPE protection. This included carrying out face fit testing. Which legally in the UK requires the person to be clean shaven. I also noted a comment re positive pressure being more of an issue for bearded bee keepers, although a reasonable thought process it’s incorrect. The reverse of that is true. If you were well off enough to have a positive pressure RPE mask, that is the pressure within the mask is higher than the outside environment E.G 3m Versaflo TR-300 Powered Air Respirator then the wearing of beard is not as bad an issue due to the positive pressure keeping any external gases from being breathed in. However if wearing any of the “standard” negative pressure masks I/.E. air pressure inside the mask during inhalation is negative in respect to air pressure outside the respirator. For example (3m 4255 half mask with P3 filter) anything that can disturb the seal will prevent the mask from doing its job and leakage will occur at the seal.
Sublimation of Oxalic acid has been discussed frequently. Oxalic acid has a Short term exposure limit ( STEL) of 2 mg/m3 ,( ref EH40/2005 workplace exposure limits- Page 17 list of work place exposure chemicals.) The usual vaporised dose quoted to use per colony is around the 1.5 to 2 grams mark. Obviously not all of that would vaporise and it is usually carried out in a well ventilated area however it can be seen that it is possible to be well over the exposure limit.
In summary – it’s your choice, my advice is if vaporising oxalic acid and using face masks, use a P3 filter and also ensure you also have a good seal on the mask around your face, having facial growth or a beard will not give an adequate seal. Or splash out for a positive pressure set up if you like the beard.

 

[Poly Hive]

yes MBC last year was hardly stellar but as it rained and rained and rained possibly that was a factor other than varroa treatments? I mean.... let's get real eh? I think I mentioned the monsoon more than once.

It was the coldest longest Spring I have ever had followed by the wettest summer. Utterly shi**.

PH

 

[enrico]

Just thought I’d give a “quick” comment regarding beards and face masks. I am a new first year bee keeper and have realised by taking a very non scientific straw poll, namely looking around at the bee keepers in my area and local group and on line that there are a reasonable number of beeks who like the bearded bee keeper look.
My “exciting” day job is an offshore Health and safety advisor and Medic, one task involves the responsibility with Respiratory protective equipment ( RPE), including workforce teaching/ training of hazards and controls related to RPE protection. This included carrying out face fit testing. Which legally in the UK requires the person to be clean shaven. I also noted a comment re positive pressure being more of an issue for bearded bee keepers, although a reasonable thought process it’s incorrect. The reverse of that is true. If you were well off enough to have a positive pressure RPE mask, that is the pressure within the mask is higher than the outside environment E.G 3m Versaflo TR-300 Powered Air Respirator then the wearing of beard is not as bad an issue due to the positive pressure keeping any external gases from being breathed in. However if wearing any of the “standard” negative pressure masks I/.E. air pressure inside the mask during inhalation is negative in respect to air pressure outside the respirator. For example (3m 4255 half mask with P3 filter) anything that can disturb the seal will prevent the mask from doing its job and leakage will occur at the seal.
Sublimation of Oxalic acid has been discussed frequently. Oxalic acid has a Short term exposure limit ( STEL) of 2 mg/m3 ,( ref EH40/2005 workplace exposure limits- Page 17 list of work place exposure chemicals.) The usual vaporised dose quoted to use per colony is around the 1.5 to 2 grams mark. Obviously not all of that would vaporise and it is usually carried out in a well ventilated area however it can be seen that it is possible to be well over the exposure limit.
In summary – it’s your choice, my advice is if vaporising oxalic acid and using face masks, use a P3 filter and also ensure you also have a good seal on the mask around your face, having facial growth or a beard will not give an adequate seal. Or splash out for a positive pressure set up if you like the beard.

Useful post, thanks
E

 

[citrus]

Just thought I’d give a “quick” comment regarding beards and face masks. I am a new first year bee keeper and have realised by taking a very non scientific straw poll, namely looking around at the bee keepers in my area and local group and on line that there are a reasonable number of beeks who like the bearded bee keeper look.
My “exciting” day job is an offshore Health and safety advisor and Medic, one task involves the responsibility with Respiratory protective equipment ( RPE), including workforce teaching/ training of hazards and controls related to RPE protection. This included carrying out face fit testing. Which legally in the UK requires the person to be clean shaven. I also noted a comment re positive pressure being more of an issue for bearded bee keepers, although a reasonable thought process it’s incorrect. The reverse of that is true. If you were well off enough to have a positive pressure RPE mask, that is the pressure within the mask is higher than the outside environment E.G 3m Versaflo TR-300 Powered Air Respirator then the wearing of beard is not as bad an issue due to the positive pressure keeping any external gases from being breathed in. However if wearing any of the “standard” negative pressure masks I/.E. air pressure inside the mask during inhalation is negative in respect to air pressure outside the respirator. For example (3m 4255 half mask with P3 filter) anything that can disturb the seal will prevent the mask from doing its job and leakage will occur at the seal.
Sublimation of Oxalic acid has been discussed frequently. Oxalic acid has a Short term exposure limit ( STEL) of 2 mg/m3 ,( ref EH40/2005 workplace exposure limits- Page 17 list of work place exposure chemicals.) The usual vaporised dose quoted to use per colony is around the 1.5 to 2 grams mark. Obviously not all of that would vaporise and it is usually carried out in a well ventilated area however it can be seen that it is possible to be well over the exposure limit.
In summary – it’s your choice, my advice is if vaporising oxalic acid and using face masks, use a P3 filter and also ensure you also have a good seal on the mask around your face, having facial growth or a beard will not give an adequate seal. Or splash out for a positive pressure set up if you like the beard.

Thanks for the information that I'll re-read again ... I have a goatee that I shave down to nothing around the chin when I do vape but interested about the positive pressure mask you mention.

So I need a clean shave around the seal for these 3M 4255 Maintenance Free Half Mask FFA2P3 - masks?

(was discussed last year as well -> https://beekeepingforum.co.uk/showpost.php?p=656935&postcount=58 )

**appreciate it is just advice off the web etc .. but really appreciate this info and will take all advice in the fair spirit its given**

 

[Erichalfbee]

So I need a clean shave around the seal for the cheaper face masks ?

Phew!
I’m ok then

 

[citrus]

Phew!
I’m ok then

give it time my dear