When workers are exposed to hazardous airborne substances, respirators provide the last line of defense against overexposure.
Effective training for respirator use requires participants to understand the nature of their hazards, how a chosen respirator and cartridge captures substances, and the limitations of respirators.
Hands-on training ensures that participants learn how to achieve, test, and maintain a proper face seal, know how to care for, clean, and inspect respirators, and when to replace cartridges and filters.
After training, fit testing is recommended for all personnel who are required to wear a tight-fitting respirator.