Respiratory Protection Basics for Construction Workers

Common Respiratory Hazards in Construction

Construction sites often contain airborne hazards that can damage your lungs:

• Dust: From concrete, wood, drywall, and silica
• Fumes: From welding, soldering, and hot work
• Gases and Vapors: From paints, adhesives, and solvents
• Mold and Biological Hazards: In renovation or demolition
• Asbestos and Lead: In older building materials

Even brief exposure to some of these hazards can cause permanent damage to your lungs and health.

Types of Respirators

Filtering Facepiece Respirators (Dust Masks)

• Look like surgical masks but are designed to filter particles
• N95 respirators filter 95% of airborne particles
• Good for dust and particulates
• Not suitable for gases or vapors
• Disposable and not for reuse

Half-Face Respirators

• Cover your nose and mouth
• Use replaceable cartridges or filters
• Different cartridges for different hazards
• Can protect against both particles and certain chemicals
• Require proper fit testing

Full-Face Respirators

• Cover your entire face
• Protect both lungs and eyes
• Provide a better seal than half-face models
• Use replaceable cartridges like half-face respirators
• Required for more hazardous environments

Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs)

• Use a battery-powered blower to provide filtered air
• More comfortable for longer wear
• Less breathing resistance
• Often used for heavy dust work or by workers with beards

Supplied Air Respirators

• Provide clean air from an outside source
• Used in the most hazardous environments
• Include airline respirators and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
• Require special training to use

Choosing the Right Respirator

The right respirator depends on:

1. The type of hazard
2. The concentration of the hazard
3. How long you'll be exposed
4. The work you're doing

Your employer should tell you which respirator to use based on air testing and job hazards.

Using Your Respirator Properly

Before Use

• Make sure you've had a proper fit test
• Inspect for damage before each use
• Check straps, filters, and valves
• Make sure you're clean-shaven where the respirator seals to your face

Putting It On

1. Position the respirator on your face
2. Pull straps over your head
3. Adjust for a snug but comfortable fit
4. Perform a seal check:
   • Cover the filters and inhale - the mask should collapse slightly
   • For exhalation valve models, cover the valve and exhale - the mask should bulge slightly

During Use

• Leave the area immediately if:
  • You can smell or taste contaminants
  • Breathing becomes difficult
  • You feel dizzy or sick
  • The respirator becomes damaged

After Use

• Clean according to manufacturer instructions
• Store in a clean, dry place
• Replace filters/cartridges according to schedule or if breathing becomes difficult

Required Training

Before using a respirator, you must receive training on:

• Why the respirator is necessary
• How improper fit or use can make the respirator ineffective
• The capabilities and limitations of the respirator
• How to inspect, put on, seal check, use, and remove the respirator
• How to maintain and store the respirator
• How to recognize medical signs that may limit or prevent respirator use

Medical Evaluation

You must have a medical evaluation before using a respirator to ensure you can safely wear one. Some health conditions can make respirator use dangerous.