yourself against airborne contaminants in

your workplace, it is very important to

follow proper procedures for putting it on

and taking it off. The process of putting on

and taking off your respirator is also referred

to as “donning and doffing.” Respirator

manufacturers supply instructions on how to

properly don and doff (put on and take off)

each respirator they produce.

The manufacturer also supplies instructions

on how to properly conduct a user seal

check. A “user seal check” is a way to

verify that the respirator has been properly

positioned on your face to assure a proper seal.

Sometimes, workers confuse the term “user

seal check” with the term “fit test,” which is

different. A user seal check is not a

substitute for a fit test, which is a more

involved process that uses a test agent or

instrument to verify the respirator’s fit. A fit

test must be performed before you wear a

respirator for the first time and at least

annually thereafter. A user seal check must

be performed each time you put on a

respirator to check that it has been donned correctly.

Remember, always follow the respirator

manufacturer’s instructions for the specific

respirator model that you are using.

Here are some general instructions for

properly donning and doffing and properly

conducting a user seal check for the two

most common types of respirators.

Let’s begin with general instructions for a

disposable filtering facepiece respirator,

which is often referred to as an “N95” or a

“dust mask”:

Inspect the respirator, including the straps,

for tears or damage. If you find any damage

to the respirator, replace it. If your respirator

comes out of its original container folded

flat, open the folds fully, following the

manufacturer’s instructions.

Using one hand, place the respirator on your

face with the nosepiece at your fingertips,

allowing the headbands to hang freely. The

nosepiece should span and cover the bridge

of your nose, and the respirator should cup

your chin.

Pull the top strap over your head, resting it

high at the back of your head. Pull the

bottom strap over your head and position it

around your neck and below your ears. Be

sure not to criss-cross the straps. Make sure

that your mouth and nose are covered

by the respirator.

If the nosepiece has a metal nosepiece or

strip, use both hands to mold the nose strip

to conform to the shape of your nose by

pushing inward while moving your fingertips

down along both sides of the nosepiece.

Next, conduct a user seal check. It’s

essential to follow the manufacturer’s user

seal check instructions because the

manufacturer knows the best method for

checking their respirator.

Generally speaking, the manufacturer’s

instructions are based on covering the

surface of the respirator, usually with your

hands, so that air is prevented from passing

through the filtering facepiece. A positive

pressure seal check is performed by gently

exhaling to see if the facepiece bulges

slightly. For a negative pressure seal check,

take a quick, deep breath to see if the

facepiece collapses slightly.

During either test, if air leaks out between

your face and the respirator’s faceseal, the

respirator may not fit your face properly.

One way that you can identify leakage is if

you feel air blowing through the seal onto

your face or eyes. If you feel leakage,

readjust the fit of your respirator and check

the seal again.

If you cannot achieve a proper seal, you are

not protected and should not enter a

hazardous area. See your supervisor to

determine what the problem may be.

When you’re finished wearing the respirator,

carefully remove it without touching the

exterior, because the exterior may be

contaminated. Discard your respirator

according to your company’s procedures.

Now, let’s explore the general instructions

for properly donning and doffing and

properly conducting a user seal check for a

half facepiece elastomeric respirator,

sometimes referred to as a “half mask.”

Remember, these are just general

instructions. You should always follow the

manufacturer’s instructions for the specific

respirator model that you are using.

To begin, inspect the respirator, including

the straps, valves, and gaskets, for loose,

missing, or damaged parts. If you find any

damage to the respirator, repair or replace it.

Then, pull the bottom strap over your head.

Place the respirator facepiece under your

chin and over your nose, with the narrow

part of the facepiece over your nose.

Pull the head harness over the crown of your

head and adjust its placement until it is

stable, but comfortable.

Be sure that the neckstrap is flat and smooth

against the back of your neck. Adjust the

neckstrap, but be careful not to over-tighten

the respirator to your face.

Next, perform a positive pressure user seal

check. Place the palm of your hand over the

exhalation valve outlet. Do not push so hard

that you distort the natural shape of the

facepiece. Exhale gently and hold your

breath to create and maintain a slight

positive pressure inside the facepiece. If the

facepiece bulges slightly and no air leaks are

detected between your face and the

facepiece, a proper fit has been achieved.

If, on the other hand, you detect faceseal

leakage, reposition the facepiece and

readjust the straps, and then retest. If you

cannot achieve a proper seal, you are not

protected and should not enter

a hazardous area.

See your supervisor to determine

what the problem may be.

Next, perform the negative pressure seal

check. Cover the respirator cartridges or

filters with the palms of your hands. Inhale

gently. If you feel the facepiece collapse

slightly and pull closer to your face with no

leaks between the face and facepiece, a

proper seal has been made. If you detect

faceseal air leakage, reposition the respirator

on your face and readjust the straps, then

recheck. If you cannot achieve a proper seal,

you are not protected and should not enter a

hazardous area. See your supervisor to

determine what the problem may be.

When you have finished wearing the

respirator, carefully remove it by loosening

the straps and taking it off without touching

the cartridges or filters, because they may be contaminated.

Follow your company’s procedures for

maintenance of the respirator, including

proper cleaning and disinfecting and storage.

Remember, respirators must be used in the

context of a comprehensive respiratory

protection program, according to OSHA

standard 29 CFR 1910.134.