Toolbox talk · Personal protective equipment
Respirators
Dust, fumes, and vapors on our jobs can hurt your lungs, and you often can't see or smell the danger. A respirator only protects you if it's the right one, it fits, and you wear it the whole time you're exposed. Today we'll go over how to use yours the right way.
Published 2026-10-23
Key points
- 1Use only the respirator assigned for the task. A dust mask won't stop paint vapors, and the wrong cartridge won't protect you.
- 2Wear only the make, model, and size you were fit tested for. If it doesn't seal, it doesn't work.
- 3Do a seal check every time you put it on: cover the openings, breathe in and out, and feel for leaks around the edges.
- 4Shave where the mask seals. Beards and stubble break the seal on tight-fitting respirators.
- 5Before each use, check straps, valves, and the facepiece for cracks, tears, or missing parts. Turn in anything damaged.
- 6Change filters or cartridges on schedule, or sooner if breathing gets hard or you smell or taste the chemical. Leave the area right away if that happens.
- 7Clean your respirator after the shift and store it in a clean, closed bag away from dust and sun. Tell your supervisor if you feel dizzy, short of breath, or sick while wearing it.
Talk it over
- What tasks on this site this week will need a respirator, and do we have the right cartridges for each one?
- When have you seen someone pull their mask down "just for a minute" while still in the dust or fumes?
- Where are you keeping your respirator between uses, and is that spot keeping it clean?
Remember
Right respirator, good seal, worn the whole time — your lungs don't heal like a cut does.
Also in the other language: Respiradores
Official sources
- 29 CFR 1926.103 — Respiratory protectionecfr.gov
- 29 CFR 1910.134 — Respiratory protection programecfr.gov
Print it with a sign-in sheet
Pro prints every talk on your letterhead with an attendance sheet, records who attended, and emails your foremen this week's talk every Monday.
General information, not legal advice. Templates and examples should be reviewed by a competent person before use. HardHat Binder is not affiliated with or endorsed by OSHA.