Respirator Maintenance
The purpose of a respirator is to protect you from harmful contaminants. The much we all seem to understand. Where the communication breaks down, however, is usually in the area of keeping the respirator clean. A dirty respirator, especially one that is dirty on the inside, while on some level protecting you from harmful vapors, particulates and gases, is also contaminating you.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in a workplace and seen a respirator sitting on top of a tool chest or on a table in a contaminated area, face up, while the wearer is at lunch or on a break. That same wearer is going to come back from that break and stick what has essentially become a cup of contaminants to his face and inhale the contents for the next couple of hours until he takes his respirator off again.
Some others wearers are a little more savvy then this and know not to do this. They make sure that the respirator is not getting contaminated on inside. In fact, they make sure to put the mask in a sealed bag or container whenever they aren’t using it. Unless, however, they have properly cleaned the respirator, they are sealing it in a bag with all the contaminants that were clinging to the exterior and to the filter. During the break or during the 12 hours between shifts, those particles, gases and fumes aren’t necessarily behaving themselves by staying exactly where they are; they are moving around in the bag and slowly contaminating the inside of the mask.
If you are wearing a respirator, it is vital that you understand respirator maintenance, cleaning and disinfecting.
First, start out by reading and familiarizing yourself with “The Basics of Respiratory Protection“, include a section on maintenance and cleaning (there is a good one at http://www.trustcrm.com/ectny/respiratory_advisor/oshafiles/maintenanceandcare1.html#Appendix%20B-2).
Next make sure you have what you need to properly clean the respirator. Respirator Cleaning Kits can be purchased that include everything you need to make sure that your respirator continues to protect you rather than becoming one of the culprits.
