Respiratory Protection Program
Construction and general industry · Ver en español
Talking points
- A written respiratory protection program is required whenever respirators are used — even voluntarily for dust comfort. The program must include selection, fit testing, training, and medical evaluation.
- Fit testing is mandatory before first use and annually thereafter. Quantitative or qualitative methods may be used, but the test must match the respirator model and size you will wear.
- A medical evaluation must be completed before fit testing. A physician or licensed health care professional determines if you can safely wear a respirator.
- Facial hair that interferes with the seal — beards, stubble, long sideburns — is prohibited when using tight-fitting respirators. No exceptions.
- Know the difference between air-purifying respirators (filter the air) and atmosphere-supplying respirators (provide clean air). IDLH environments require SCBA or supplied-air with escape capability.
Ask the crew
When was your last fit test — and are you using the same make and model of respirator you were tested on?
Standards this talk is built on
A toolbox talk is a short safety briefing. It supports the training a standard requires; it does not replace it.
Run this talk with your crew and keep the record
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Sign-in sheet
Print this page to collect signatures, or run the talk in Jobsite and workers sign in on their phones.
| Name | Signature | Date |
|---|---|---|
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