Personal Protective Equipment
Respiratory Protection
When & What Type
When & What Type
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 · NIOSH N/R/P Filter Ratings · NYC Sites: Silica & Asbestos Controls
Respiratory hazards on NYC construction sites — silica dust, asbestos fibers, welding fumes, solvent vapors, and lead dust — cause serious, irreversible disease. A respirator is the last line of defense after engineering controls (water suppression, ventilation, exhaust) have been maximized. Wearing the wrong type provides no protection at all.
The NIOSH Filter Rating System
- N-95: 95% efficiency, not oil-resistant. For nuisance dust, silica, bioaerosols. Not for oily mists
- P-100: 99.97% efficiency, oil-proof. Required for asbestos, lead, and high-silica tasks. The magenta-colored filter
- Half-face APF (Assigned Protection Factor) 10: Filters air with P-100 cartridges. Reduces airborne concentration by a factor of 10
- Full-face APF 50: Reduces concentration by factor of 50. Required when contamination levels are very high or for chemical vapors with low IDLH
- Organic vapor cartridges: required for solvent vapors — a P-100 filter does not protect against vapors
Fit Test — Non-Negotiable
- A respirator that doesn't seal to your face doesn't protect you — period. Facial hair, bone structure, and scars all affect fit
- Quantitative or qualitative fit test required annually and when the facepiece model changes — records kept by employer
- Seal check every time you put it on: positive pressure check (block exhaust, exhale gently — mask should expand slightly) and negative pressure check (block inlets, inhale — mask should collapse slightly)
Medical Clearance Required
- All workers required to wear a respirator must receive medical clearance (OSHA Appendix C questionnaire) before the first use
- Workers with heart or lung conditions may not be able to wear tight-fitting respirators — medical evaluation determines the right device
- Your employer is required to provide fit-tested respirators at no cost to you
Discussion Questions
- You're grinding concrete. What is the minimum NIOSH-rated respirator required, and what level would you recommend for all-day work?
- You arrive on site and a colleague says "I just put on my N-95 and sealed the sides with tape because it didn't fit well." What is the problem with this?
- When is a full-face respirator required instead of a half-face unit?
- What must happen before you use a tight-fitting respirator for the first time on any job?
Sign-Off
Project Address
Date
Time
Foreman / Supervisor
SSM / SSC Name & License No.
Worker Attendance
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