Employees can easily forget which respirator is correct to wear, but this small mistake can result in big consequences. This informational poster outlines which respirator is correct to wear in particular situations to avoid potential risks.

Respirators & Their Uses

Air-Purifying Respirators Many have filters, cartridges, or canisters that remove contaminants from the air by passing the ambient air through the air-purifying element before it reaches the user.

Particulate Respirator

• Captures particles in the air, such as dusts, mists, and fumes
• Does not protect against gases or vapors
• Generally becomes more effective as particles accumulate on the filter and plug spaces between the fibers
• Combination Respirator
• Normally used in atmospheres that contain hazards of both particulates and gases
• Have both particulate filters and gas/vapor filters
• Gas and Vapor Respirator
• Are normally used when there are only hazardous gases and vapors in the air.
• Uses chemical filters to remove dangerous gases or vapors and protect against specific gases or vapors, not airborne particles
• Provides protection only as long as the filter’s absorbing capacity is not depleted
• Generally equipped with an end-of-service-life indicator (ESLI).
• If no ESLI is present, a change schedule is necessary

Atmosphere-Supplying Respirators Supplied-Air Respirator (SAR)

• Makes use of a hose to deliver clean, safe air from a stationary source of compressed air
• Provides clean air for long periods of time and is light weight for the user
• Limits the range of user-mobility and may fail due to hose damage
• Are normally used when there are extended work periods required in atmospheres that ARE NOT immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH)
• Combination Respirator
• Have an auxiliary self-contained air supply to be used if the primary supply fails
• The self-contained portion can be small since it only needs to supply enough air for escape
• Can be used for entry into confined spaces
• Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
• Consists of a wearable, clean-air supply pack
• Doesn’t restrict movement with a hose connection
• The closed-circuit type can provide air up to 4 hours
• The open-circuit type only provides air for 30 – 60 minutes

This full color, laminated, safety poster is 18″ x 24″ with English or Spanish options available.