What to know
- Workers rely on various types of respiratory protection to stay safe on the job.
- NIOSH is the federal entity responsible for the testing and approval of respirators used in the workplace.
- The markings on a respirator and NIOSH approval label can help identify if it is approved by NIOSH.
- Respirators used in the workplace should be used in a respiratory protection program.
Overview
This page serves as a trusted source for respiratory protection information. Millions of workers across the United States rely on respiratory protection to keep them safe on the job. This includes workers in occupations such as healthcare, construction, public safety, emergency response, and mining.
To reduce exposure to respiratory hazards, it's best to apply the hierarchy of controls. The use of respiratory protection is an important "last line of defense" in the hierarchy of controls approach.
When an employer determines that workers need respiratory protection, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires the use of NIOSH Approved® respirators. The NIOSH Respirator Approval Program is responsible for evaluating and approving respirators used in U.S. workplace settings.
Types
There are two main types of respiratory protection. Each respirator type provides a different level of protection based on its design:
- Air-purifying respirators (APRs)
- Atmosphere-supplying respirators (ASRs)
Additionally, NIOSH approves five different types of APRs and ASRs for protection against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents.
Each type of respirator has an assigned protection factor. This indicates the level of protection you can expect to receive from that respirator. presents the assigned protection factor for each respirator type.
It's important that employers choose the right type of respirator for your specific exposure or exposures. To do that, they must identify all respiratory hazards in your environment and the amount of exposure.
Additionally, a respirator's effectiveness depends heavily on proper fit and use. For information on how to properly select and use respirators see Selection and Use of NIOSH Approved respirators.
Air-purifying respirators (APRs)
APRs use filters, cartridges, or canisters to remove gases, vapors, aerosols, or a combination of contaminants from the air. The different types of APRs are
- Filtering facepiece respirators
- Elastomeric respirators
- Elastomeric quarter facepiece respirators
- Elastomeric half mask respirators
- Elastomeric full facepiece respirators
- Elastomeric quarter facepiece respirators
- Powered air-purifying respirators
Atmosphere-supplying respirators (ASRs)
ASRs provide clean breathing air from a separate source. These respirators protect you from many types of airborne contaminants (particles, gases, and vapors) and, in certain cases, oxygen-deficient atmospheres. The different types of ASRs are:
- Supplied-air respirators
- Self-contained breathing apparatus
- Open-circuit (commonly used by firefighters)
- Closed-circuit (used for entry or escape in industries such as mining where it is known as a self-contained self-rescuer)
- Open-circuit (commonly used by firefighters)
- Combination supplied-air/self-contained breathing apparatus
Respiratory protection programs (RPPs)
Workplaces covered under OSHA must establish a complete RPP when respiratory protection is required.
RPPs typically have nine parts including medical evaluations, fit testing, and training.
Medical evaluations
What is the purpose of a medical evaluation?
A medical evaluation determines your ability to wear a respirator.
How often do you need a medical evaluation?
OSHA requires a medical evaluation once, prior to initial fit testing and use in the workplace. However, you may need an additional evaluation if
- You, your supervisor, or your respiratory protection program administrator recognize signs or symptoms that may affect your ability to use the assigned respirator.
- A licensed healthcare professional determines that you have a condition that causes you to need another evaluation.
Fit testing
What is the purpose of fit testing?
Fit testing ensures that tight-fitting respirators form a complete seal to the face, which is important for providing the expected level of protection. Fit testing uses a test agent, either qualitatively detected by the wearer's sense of taste, smell, or involuntary cough (irritant smoke) or quantitatively measured by an instrument, to verify the respirator's fit.
How often should you get fit tested?
You should be fit tested annually and any time you use a different model, style, or size respirator. If your weight changes or facial/dental alterations occur, you may also need to undergo a fit test again to ensure your respirator remains effective.
Training
What is the purpose of training?
Training ensures that you know how to properly use, clean, and maintain your respirator.
How often should training occur?
You should receive training annually or when the need arises. A need may arise if the type of level of hazard changes or if you use a new type or model of respirator.
- NIOSH Approved is a certification mark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) registered in the United States and several international jurisdictions.