Toolbox Talk: Respirator Seal Checks

Before you start

Bring a half-mask respirator so you can demonstrate the positive and negative pressure checks.

Read this to your crew

A respirator only works if air goes through the filter, not around the edges. A small gap at the cheek or chin can let in most of the contaminant you are trying to keep out.

Today we will practice the quick seal check you should do every time you put on a tight-fitting respirator.

Key points

Check the seal every time. Do a user seal check each time you put the respirator on, before you enter the work area.
Positive pressure check. Cover the exhalation valve and breathe out gently. The facepiece should bulge slightly with no air leaking at the edges.
Negative pressure check. Cover the cartridges or filters and breathe in gently. The facepiece should pull in slightly and stay that way for a few seconds.
Keep the sealing area clear. Beards, stubble or anything else between the face and the seal are not allowed with tight-fitting respirators.
Get fit tested. Use only the make, model and size you were fit tested on, and get retested at least once a year.

Ask the crew

Who can show us both seal checks?
When was your last fit test?
How do you know when it is time to change cartridges?

Picture this

A worker grabs a different size respirator from the shelf because his is missing. He skips the seal check. After an hour of spraying, he has a headache and a sore throat. The mask was leaking at the chin the whole time.

Print this page to use the sign-in sheet, or skip the paper and record attendance digitally in SafetyIQ.

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Talk leader: ______________ Date: ______________ Site: ______________