Respiratory

The right respirator depends on what's in the air and how much of it. A quick way to choose between N95s, half masks, full facepieces and PAPRs.

Pick the respirator from the hazard, not the shelf. Filter classes, protection factors, cartridge change-outs and the fit and medical steps OSHA 1910.134 expects before anyone wears one.

Pick the respirator by the hazard and its concentration, then make the program work: medical clearance, fit testing, cartridge change-outs and cleaning.

Welding fume, spray paint and chemical vapors each need different filters and facepieces. How to match a respirator to the job, with cartridge colors and the mistakes that leave people exposed.

Pick a respirator from the hazard and the exposure level: N95s, half and full facepieces, PAPRs like CleanSpace, supplied air, protection factors, and the fit test and cartridge rules.

TR-300+ for particulates, TR-600 when gases and vapors are in the mix, TR-800 for hazardous locations. How to choose, and what comes in a TR-600 Easy Clean kit.

Which 3M cartridge or filter goes with which hazard, how to read N, R and P ratings, and why "change it when you smell something" isn't a change-out schedule.

Cloth masks and surgical masks don't filter smoke well. What does, what N95s and P100s can't do, and how long a disposable respirator lasts in smoke.

What OSHA's respirable crystalline silica rule asks of contractors, when Table 1 calls for a respirator, and which respirators meet an APF of 10.