# Respirators

URL: https://hardhatbinder.com/en/toolbox-talks/respiratory-protection
Last updated: 2026-10-23

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.

## Key points

1. Use only the respirator assigned for the task. A dust mask won't stop paint vapors, and the wrong cartridge won't protect you.
2. Wear only the make, model, and size you were fit tested for. If it doesn't seal, it doesn't work.
3. Do a seal check every time you put it on: cover the openings, breathe in and out, and feel for leaks around the edges.
4. Shave where the mask seals. Beards and stubble break the seal on tight-fitting respirators.
5. Before each use, check straps, valves, and the facepiece for cracks, tears, or missing parts. Turn in anything damaged.
6. Change 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.
7. Clean 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.

## Official sources

- [29 CFR 1926.103](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.103) — Respiratory protection
- [29 CFR 1910.134](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1910.134) — Respiratory protection program

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Source: HardHat Binder, operated by Leadspire LLC. Templates to be reviewed by a competent person before use; not legal advice; not affiliated with OSHA.