How do I Know if my Respirator is Fitted Properly?

According to OSHA, all respirators that rely on a mask-to-face seal need to be annually checked with either qualitative or quantitative methods to determine whether the mask provides an acceptable fit to a wearer.

A proper fit is necessary for your respirator to provide the maximum amount of protection that it is designed to provide. Generally speaking, there are a few steps that can be taken to ensure that your respirator is properly fitted.

• When getting ready to put on your respirator,hold it in the palm of your hand with the nose contour at your fingertips and let the head straps hang loosely on the outsides of your palm.


• Place the respirator on your face, with the nose contour up around your nose. Pull the shorter strap around your head so it is below the ears and around the neck. Place the longer strap around the crown area of the back of your head. Both straps must be used for proper fitting.
  


• Adjust the straps so that the respirator fits snugly but comfortably around your face.
  


• Check the seal by cupping your hands over the respirator and inhaling sharply. A negative pressure should be felt inside respirator. If any leakage is detected at respirator edges, adjust the straps and/or reposition the respirator on your face. The seal should be checked each time you wear the respirator.
  

Written by: Carissa Kelley

Why Choose a PAPR?

Complete respiratory protection is crucial in any environment where there are hazardous airborne chemicals or particles present. Protection can be achieved by wearing an appropriate face mask and filter system. There are many things to consider when choosing your respiratory protection system. Most importantly, should you use a traditional face mask respirator, or opt for the PAPR?

A Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) is a motorized system that uses a filter to clean ambient air before it is delivered to the breathing zone of the user. A PAPR system typically includes a blower, battery, headpiece and a breathing tube.

Unlike traditional face masks where the user must exert effort to breathe through a filter, a PAPR has a battery powered air pump that drives air through a filter system, and delivers it straight into the face mask to the user. Also, the air delivered by a PAPR into the headpiece is actually cool, not hot or sticky. This is the major benefit of using a PAPR over a regular face mask respirator: because the user does not have to work to breathe in air through the filter in a PAPR, fatigue will not set in nearly as quickly as it would when wearing a traditional mask.

Another benefit of the PAPR is fit testing (or lack there of). When wearing one of the loose-fitting hoods on a PAPR, no fit testing is required. And, workers do not have to shave facial hair in order to use the PAPR. This is not possible when using traditional face masks for respiratory protection.

Finally, a PAPR is actually lighter then other face masks because the heavy components – such as the battery pack, blower, and filters – are mounted and worn on a belt. The mask of a PAPR is much lighter than regular models, making them comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Written By: Carissa Kelley

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