01-32_GENERALS_SUMMER25_PT - Flipbook - Page 10
HEALTH AND SAFETY
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
Selecting respirators for your workplace
By STACY RICHARDSON
W
HEN RESPIRATORY HAZARDS ARE PRESENT,
choosing the right respirator is key. No matter
how well your respirator is
made, it can’t filter out hazards that it’s not designed
for! Once you know what your hazards
are, using the results of your exposure
assessment, you’re ready to select appropriate protection for your employees.
STEP 1: Know your hazard type
You’ll need to select equipment based on
whether your work environment contains
a particulate hazard (such as hazardous
dusts or 昀椀bers), a gas or vapor hazard
(such as solvent vapors or chlorine gas),
or both types of hazards.
Generally, you protect against particulate hazards with a 昀椀lter and against
gas and vapors with a cartridge. If both
types of hazards are present, combination
cartridges are an option that can 昀椀lter out
both particles and gas or vapors.
Comfort and ability to do the job are also
important considerations; if the work
is particularly strenuous, try to select
respirators that are as lightweight and
streamlined as possible.
10 the generals • SUMMER 2025
THEGENERALS.NET
