Page 42 - OHS, July/August 2020

PPE: RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
How to Don and Doff a Face Mask, N95 and Half-Mask Respirator for Returning to Work
Safety managers are working to ensure their employees have the proper face masks or respirators and know how to use them correctly.
BY LYNN FEINER
Our current environment has introduced the need for face masks and respirators in non- traditional industries. As retailers, corpora- tions, industrial operations and construc-
tion sites re-open, safety managers are working to ensure their employees have the proper face masks or respirators and know how to use them correctly. Since some workers are new to wearing face masks and res- pirators, it is important to review the proper way to don and remove to ensure the best protection for all.
If your worksite opts to use a respirator instead of a face mask, we must remember that the occupational use of respirators should follow a written respiratory protection program and meet all local government reg- ulations. In the United States, employers must comply with OSHA 29CFR1910.134 and in Canada, the respi- ratory program must comply with CSA Standard Z94.4. All programs should include evaluation, training and fit testing. Workers should have the opportunity to handle the respirator, learn how to inspect it, don and remove, have it properly fitted, wear it in a normal air
environment and finally, wear it in a test atmosphere. This piece will review donning and removing tech- niques for the face mask, N95 disposable respirator and the half-face mask respirator. These donning and removing techniques are not meant to be exhaustive. If you have questions, we recommend checking with your supervisor, reviewing the written respiratory program your employer may have in place and check-
ing OSHA1 or CDC2 guidelines.
Face Mask
For most retailers and companies returning to work, there is a need to ensure employees wear face masks when in public spaces. The role of face masks in this case is to prevent contamination of the surrounding work area when a person coughs or sneezes.
There are two versions of face masks: a mask with one or two elastic headbands and a mask with elastic bands that loop over the ears. When donning the face mask, users should follow these steps.
If using a face mask with one or two elastic straps:
36 Occupational Health & Safety | JULY/AUGUST 2020
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