By Tim Wade
IATSE Safety Chair

A t some point in our career, many of us will be required, for safety reasons, to use a respirator on the job. A respirator is nothing more than a face piece, hood, or helmet designed to protect the wearer from harmful airborne agents. Some of the most common hazards to your lungs are the lack of oxygen and the presence of harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, fumes, gases, vapors or sprays, including substances that may cause cancer, lung impairment, other diseases or even death.

There are many workplace conditions that involve toxic agents and for which other engineering controls are inadequate. That’s when it is important to use a respirator.

Only NIOSH certified respirators can be used. Many of the paper respirators found in general over the counter situations are not approved, read the package label.

Respirators come in four basic types, but with many variations:

• the full-face and half-mask cartridge masks;
• supplied-air respirators (SAR) with an airline;
• self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA); and
• paper masks

If a work situation arises for which a respirator is needed, it is important to first complete the required safety training course (Safety Pass Training, Course 1) or your employer must provide appropriate training.

Training : This training typically involves instruction on how to properly fit, maintain, and use an approved respirator. It should also include an explanation of the various conditions that require the use of one. At the end of a training course on respirators, you should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the uses, capabilities, and limitations of respirators.

Medical Evaluation : Before using a respirator, an employer must provide for a medical evaluation, to determine if you are physically able to work with a respirator. This is important, because some respirators, such as air-purifying ones, may result in distressed breathing under conditions of heavy work. A person who is otherwise physically fit may not be able to function at 100% in a respirator, which is why employers are required to provide these evaluations.

Fit Test : A fit test must also be performed to determine if a worker is able to properly wear the respirators issued. Eyeglasses and facial hair are some of the factors that can affect the fit of a respirator.

Once the appropriate training and evaluations have been completed and a respirator is issued, it is the wearer’s responsibility to use, maintain, and store the equipment properly.

It is important to be aware of the respirator’s functioning. Remember to leave a contaminated area immediately and replace the respirator if:

• The respirator becomes damaged
• You taste or smell the contaminants
• Breathing becomes difficult
• Dizziness or other distress occurs

It is impossible to cover all the specifics of respirator uses, but employers must provide all of the training necessary to instruct workers in their safe use and to protect workers from respirator hazards.

07/20