Don and Doff a Respirator
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.
Step 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.
Step 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.
Step 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.
Step 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'.
Step 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
Step 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.
