To work properly and provide the necessary protection, a respirator must what?

• A. Fit your face tightly
• B. Sit loosely on the chin
• C. Be worn under clothing
• D. Have no straps

Answer: (A)

A respirator only protects you when it forms a tight seal against your face. That seal prevents contaminated air from leaking around the edges so all inhaled air passes through the filter material. To ensure this, check the fit each time you put it on and adjust the straps so there are no gaps; facial hair, poor sizing, or improper placement can break the seal and let contaminants in. A respirator that sits loosely on the chin or is worn under clothing won’t provide proper protection, and a design with no straps can’t stay in place to maintain the seal. If a tight seal can’t be achieved due to facial hair or other factors, consider an alternative respirator type that doesn’t require a tight face seal.