Respirators are an effective method of protection against designated hazards when properly selected and worn. Respirator use is encouraged and you may wear respirators to avoid exposures to hazards, even if the amount of hazardous substance does not exceed the limits set by OSHA standards to provide an additional level of comfort and protection. FSS provides respirators for your voluntary use, or if you provide your own respirator, you need to take certain precautions to be sure that the respirator itself does not present a hazard.

 

• Dust respirators may be needed when working in dusty environments and activities that may produce dust such as Insulation, sweeping of floors, demolition, grinding, and cleanup, etc. Please contact your supervisor if you need a respirator.

• Half face respirators are required for the sanding of drywall or paint, the cutting, drilling, mixing, or grinding of concrete products, and/or activities that have been determined a risk by the safety department. Training will be provided for all employees who use a respirator and will be required to have a medical evaluation and fit test.

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Please adhere to the following when using a respirator:

1. Read and follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer on use, maintenance, cleaning and care, and warnings regarding the respirator’s limitations.

2. Choose respirators certified for use to protect against the contaminant of concern. NIOSH, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the US department of Health and Human Services, certifies respirators. A label or statement of certification should appear on the respirator packaging. It will tell you what the respirator is designed for and how much it will protect you.

3. Do not wear your respirator into atmospheres containing contaminants for which your respirator is not designed to protect against. For example, a respirator designed to filter dust particles will not protect you against gasses, vapors, or very small solid particles of fumes or smoke.

4. Keep track of your respirator so that you do not mistakenly use someone else’s
respirator.