An N95 respirator is a tight-fitting filtering facepiece that removes at least 95 percent of airborne particles when properly fitted and worn.
An N95 respirator is a disposable, tight-fitting filtering facepiece respirator that removes at least 95 percent of airborne particles, including very small particles around 0.3 microns, when it is properly fitted and worn. The "N" means the filter is not resistant to oil, and the "95" refers to the minimum filtration efficiency.
In the United States, N95 respirators must be approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) under 42 CFR Part 84. An approved respirator carries a NIOSH approval number, often called a TC number, printed on the device. Surgical N95s are also cleared by the FDA for use where fluid splash protection is needed, such as in healthcare.
N95s are widely used in construction, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare and emergency response to protect against dusts, mists and biological particles such as bacteria and viruses. They are one part of a broader respiratory protection program.
An N95 only works if air passes through the filter rather than around the edges. Under OSHA's respiratory protection standard, 29 CFR 1910.134, workers who are required to wear an N95 must be fit tested before first use, at least once a year, and whenever a different model or size is used. Workers should also do a user seal check every time they put the respirator on. Facial hair that sits under the seal, such as a beard or stubble, prevents a proper fit.
When an employer requires respirators, it must have a written program that covers respirator selection, medical evaluation, fit testing, training, use and maintenance. Where workers choose to wear an N95 voluntarily and no hazard requires it, employers must still give them the information in Appendix D of the standard.
Under the hierarchy of controls, respirators are used when engineering controls such as local exhaust ventilation or wet methods cannot reduce exposure enough, or while those controls are being put in place.
A renovation contractor's crew was sanding drywall joint compound in a series of apartments. Workers had been wearing loose paper dust masks, which are not respirators and are not NIOSH approved. Air sampling showed respirable dust levels above the exposure limit.
The contractor switched to sanders connected to HEPA vacuums, which cut dust levels sharply. For the remaining exposure, it set up a respiratory protection program with medical evaluations, fit testing on two N95 models in several sizes and training on seal checks. Two workers with beards were offered loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirators instead, since an N95 could not seal on their faces.
No. Many dust masks and comfort masks are not NIOSH approved and do not filter small particles or seal to the face. Only a NIOSH-approved N95 with a TC number meets the N95 standard.
Yes, when an employer requires workers to wear it. OSHA requires a fit test before first use and at least annually after that.
No. N95 filters capture particles only. Gases and vapors need a respirator with the right chemical cartridges or a supplied-air system.
It can be worn until it is damaged, soiled, wet or hard to breathe through. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and your employer's program.
Part of SafetyIQ's EHS glossary: plain-English definitions of workplace health and safety terms.
> Keep learning
> See it in action
Capture hazards, run inspections, track training and close out corrective actions in one platform built for high-risk, field-heavy work.
Book my free demo
Get a demo built around your sites, your teams, and the way your people work.
EHS, journey, and fatigue management software for field-heavy teams.
.png){kind=logo}
.png)