- An explanation of why a particular type of respirator has been selected and provided for a specific location or procedure.
- An explanation of the operation, and the capabilities and limitations, of the respirator provided.
- Instruction in how the respirator wearer should inspect, don, fit check, and correctly wear their provided respirator.
- An opportunity for each wearer to handle the respirator, learn how to don and wear it properly (i.e., achieve a proper face-seal fit on the wearer's face), check important parts (e.g., battery charge , flow rate, filters, air supply), and wear it in a safe atmosphere.
- An explanation of how the respirator is properly maintained and stored.
- Instruction in how to recognize an inadequately functioning respirator and how to recognize and cope with emergency situations.
4. Face-Seal Fit Testing and Fit Checking: The rationale for and the essential roles of fit tests performed by qualified persons and fit checks performed by respirator wearers before every use are detailed in Table 1 on page 20.
5. Respirator Inspection, Cleaning, Maintenance, and Storage: Scrupulous respirator maintenance should be made an integral part of the overall respirator program. Manufacturers' instructions for inspection, cleaning, and maintenance of respirators should be followed to ensure that the respirator continues to function properly. Wearing poorly maintained or malfunctioning respirators may be more dangerous than not wearing a respirator at all because the worker wearing a defective device will falsely assume that protection is being provided. A proper maintenance program ensures that the worker's
