Respiratory Training Guidelines

Employers must ensure that employees and managers are aware of correct respirator use. The goals of this training for the employee(s) are for the employee to be able to do the following:

• Demonstrate knowledge of a respirator's capabilities and limitations
• Understand why the respirator is necessary
• Know how to select and maintain respirators
• Explain how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the respirator

Additionally, employees should understand how improper respirator use (or maintenance) can lead to overexposure, and that use of poorly fitted (or poorly maintained) respirators may cause immediate illness, chronic diseases, or death. Remember: Employers should develop training programs based on the employee's education level and language background.

General training guidelines must include an explanation of the following topics:

• Why respirator use is necessary
• The site's respiratory hazards
• The consequences of not fitting, using, and maintaining the respirator properly (based on the site's hazards)
• Why the employer has selected this type of respirator to protect from the identified hazards
• The capabilities and limitations of the selected respirator
• How to correctly inspect the respirator (including the seals)
• How to properly put on and take off the respirator
• Maintenance and storage requirements for the respirator
• How to use the respirator in emergency situations
• What to do if the respirator malfunctions while in use
• How to spot the medical signs or symptoms that may cause an employee to not use the respirator effectively

To learn more about Respiratory Protection visit our Respiratory Protection Online Training web page.