Respiratory Safety Tests & Tips

Safety Training:

Respiratory Protection and Safety Program Courses

Respiratory Protection

An estimated 5 million workers are required to wear respirators in 1.3 million workplaces throughout the United States. Respirators protect workers against insufficient oxygen environments, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays. These hazards may cause cancer, lung impairment, other diseases, or death.

Respiratory Protection

• Harmful chemicals, dusts, biological contaminants can be released into the air while people are doing their jobs.
• These hazards can be controlled using exhaust ventilation or some other type of control such as substituting one toxic compound with a less toxic one.
• If the controls don't work completely or while these controls are being installed or implemented, it may be necessary to wear respirators.
• Respirators are the last line of defense and worker knowledge and proper use are critical.
• Respirator use requires constant supervision to make sure they are being used properly. When respirators are not used correctly, workers may become ill from exposure to the air contaminants or even die from a lack of oxygen.

Safety Tips

Make sure it fits

Two easy tests can indicate whether most respirators fit properly and do not leak.

Negative Pressure Test - Block the air inlets (usually the filter openings on the sides of the facepiece). Try to breathe in. If there are no leaks, the facepiece should collapse slightly and not let any air in.

Positive Pressure Test - Put on the facepiece and adjust it to fit comfortably (snug, not overly tight). Block the exhalation valve (usually on the bottom of the respirator). Try to breathe out. The facepiece should puff slightly away from your face but should not let air out.

Either test will readily detect any significant leaks. After readjusting the facepiece, test again and repeat until fit is satisfactory.

Test every time you put on a respirator and throughout the shift to make sure that you are being protected.

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Make sure that your respirator does not leak or slip. It must fit properly.

Beards, long sideburns, and mustaches can prevent most respirators from fitting properly.

With respirators it's good practice to be clean-shaven, since even one day's growth of beard can significantly affect the protection provided.

Missing dentures, scar tissue, and other facial features can also affect how well a respirator protects you.

To help with these and other problems, most manufacturers offer small, medium, and large facepieces, as well as full- and half-face versions. More...