Respiratory Protection
Respiratory protection is essential for keeping workers and the public safe from harmful substances in the air, such as infectious diseases like COVID-19 or flu, wildfire smoke, and air pollution. Every day, millions of people encounter these kinds of hazards at home and at work, which can lead to serious health problems. Learn more below about how respirators can help protect you from these hazards.
Types of Respirators and Masks
How to Wear a Respirator
The following graphic shows the steps to properly put on a respirator (also known as “donning”).
How to use your N95 Respirator 1-pager | English (PDF. 1MB) | Spanish (PDF, 1 MB)
The following video goes over how to properly put on and take off a mask.
Safe Reuse
While it is generally recommended that you should only wear a respirator once, there may be certain situations where you reuse a respirator. The 3 D's tell you when it is time to stop using a respirator:
When to use your Respirator
A respirator can protect you against:
Where to Purchase a Respirator
You can buy high-quality respirators such as N95s at places like hardware and home improvement stores, pharmacies, or manufacturers' websites.
What is Fit Testing
A respirator fit test checks that a respirator like an N95 fits snugly on your face. This is important to keep you safe and healthy.
Additional Resources