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July 2008
Respirator Safety Tips

Here are nine safety tips and tricks to keep in mind for respirator users.

1. Though it may be new and fresh out of the box, a respirator should still be inspected. Check it for holes in the filter, broken or stretched straps, and verify that it has the type of cartridge you need.

2. Wearing a headband may keep the sweat out of your eyes, but if you're wearing a full-face respirator it will also ruin the seal.

3. Check the fit of your respirator every time you put it on. Your face may not have changed during your coffee break; however, something (like a piece of donut on your chin) may be breaking the seal.

4. If you can smell traces of detergent, then your mask wasn't rinsed well enough the last time it was cleaned. Skin irritation or dermatitis may result if you wear it.

5. There's no need to pull the straps so tight that the mask leaves a permanent ring around your face.

6. Dust masks do not protect against vapor and gases. That includes paint vapors.

7. Facial hair does interfere with the seal of a full or half-face filter respirator, even though the mask may seem to fit perfectly.

8. Always check the cartridge(s) on an air-purifying mask to verify they are screwed in securely.

9. Don't trust the color-coding on the cartridge. Read the label.
Avoid sneezing while wearing a full-face respirator.

Important:

This information is offered by the Gases and Welding Distributors Association and your local distributor as general guidance only and may not explain all relevant safety precautions or hazards.

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