Respirators are designed to protect you from hazardous materials. Ensuring you don and doff your respirator correctly is essential to ensuring your safety and limiting your exposure.
1. Inspect respirator for signs of damage
Examine the following aspects of the respirator:
- Straps - pliable and stretchy (bounce back if pulled)
- Valves - soft and pliable, lying flat
- Gaskets/Diaphragms - soft and pliable, lying flat (not crispy, or folded)
If damage is found, select a new respirator, tag damaged respirator for repairs.
2. Attach appropriate filter cartridges
Ensure cartridges are aligned with the respirator and secure with a turn. Appropriate filters will be determined based on job type.
Check with your safety officer/supervisor if more information is required.
3. Don the respirator
- Hold respirator in one hand and place against face (avoid touching filter cartridges)
- Use other hand to pull straps over head, towards the back of the head
Adjust straps,
- Start with straps lower on the head
- Then adjust higher straps
Straps should be flat and smooth against the head.
Note: Facial hair can interfere with the seal of respirator. It is recommended to have a clean shaven face (specifically in areas where seal touches face), when donning a respirator.
4. Perform leak checks
Negative fit check:
- Place hands firmly over both filter cartridges
- Inhale
Positive fit check:
- Cover exhaust value
- Exhale
When inhaling and exhaling try to feel for air movement (leaks) around the seals/sides of the respirator. If there is air movement readjust respirator and try again. If air movement continues try another respirator and/or speak to supervisor.
NOTE: To complete a full fit test with a new respirator follow the process linked below, 'How to Complete a Quantitative Respirator Fit Test'.
5. Remove the respirator
Take off the respirator carefully.
Avoid touching face with respirator as it may be contaminated.
- Hold respirator with one hand - avoid touching cartridges
- Use other hand to pull straps over head, forward towards face
- Lift up and off face
6. Clean and store respirator
Clean respirator properly as per the process linked below.
Place respirator in proper storage bag and label it for cleaning.
