Hi my name's David Fishwick. I'm the Chief Medical Adviser for the Health and Safety Executive and
also work in the NHS as a respiratory physician. Why is it important to wear RPE? A respirator
protects your lungs from hazardous substances released into the air during work activities.
How to fit your RPE. Before you start, make sure you're clean shaven around the face
to seal an effective fit. Make sure your hands are clean.
Make sure that you read the manufacturer's instructions for checking the respirator
and putting it on correctly. Make sure it's the right disposable respirator for
you and that you have been fit tested for that respirator. Check the model and size the mask.
If the respirator is folded, open it out. Check the straps, the face seal and the nose clip.
Check the filtering material for holes by putting it up to the light and looking through it, looking
through the filter material. When checking during exhalation, check the rubber diaphragm is present
and can form a seal over the valve, it's not damaged and that there are no foreign objects
inside it. If the respirator is squashed crumpled or damaged simply do not use it.
When putting a respirator on make sure that it is the right way round.
Cup the disposable respirator in one hand with the straps hanging out of the way. Hold the respirator
in place on your face. Pull the bottom strap over your head to the back of your neck. Pull the top
strap over your head to sit above your ears and over the crown of your head. Check the strap's
not twisted. If you need to tighten the straps pull both ends at the same time bottom first then
the top. Use a colleague or mirror to check the respirator and straps are in the right positions.
If there's a nose clip on the respirator press this firmly to the shape of your nose.
Roll your fingers down either side of your nose to form a good seal, don't just pinch the nose clip.
Don't over tighten the respirator, it should be tightly fitted but still comfortable. If you
wear glasses make sure they do not create a gap between the respirator and your face. Respirators
should be compatible with other facial protection used such as, for example, protective eyewear
so that this does not interfere with the seal of the respirator.
While you are wearing your respirator don't let it dangle around your neck between each use.
Don't touch it whilst it's on and discard the respirator if it gets damaged, gets soiled
(for example with secretions or bodily fluids), gets damp, is uncomfortable, or is difficult to
breathe through, or you feel that the facial seal is in any way compromised. How to do a fit check.
Before entering your workplace do a fit check to make sure you put your respirator on correctly and
there is no leakage around your face. Make sure your hands are clean before you carry
out that check. Cup your hands over the filter material without affecting the fit of the mask
and breathe in. The respirator should suck down hard onto the face when you breathe in sharply.
Breathe sharply out. You should not feel any leaks around the edges of the respirator.
Repeat this until you feel you achieve a good fit. Thank you.