Important Information About Voluntary Use of Respirators

Respirators protect against airborne contaminants when properly selected and worn. Respirator use is encouraged, even when exposure to contaminants are below the exposure limit(s), to provide an additional level of comfort and protection for workers. However, if a respirator is used improperly or not kept clean, the respirator itself can become a hazard to you. Sometimes, workers may wear respirators to avoid exposures to hazards, even if the amount of hazardous contaminants (chemical & biological) does not exceed the limits set by WISHA standards. If your employer provides respirators for your voluntary use, or if you are allowed to provide your own respirator, you need to take certain precautions to be sure that the respirator itself does not present a hazard.

You should do the following:

1. Read and follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer on use, maintenance, cleaning and care, and warnings regarding the respirators 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 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, certifies respirators. A label or statement of certification should appear on the respirator or 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 solvent vapor or smoke (since smoke particles are much smaller than dust particles).
4. Keep track of your respirator so that you do not mistakenly use someone else's respirator.