If you or your team are working in an environment with poor air quality, including wildfire smoke, gas, and other types of pollution, everyone should wear a respirator.
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Face and dust masks as well as respirators are extremely effective in filtering out particulates. However, you may also need a range of respirator accessories, such as: respirator filters and cartridges, wall cases, air supply hoses, exhalation valves, cleaning wipes, and plastic lens covers. Additional protection may be required depending on the nature of your work environment.
Respirator accessories are designed to keep you and your team moving in the field. You can use carrying cases, backpacks, and wall cases to keep respirators easily available throughout your facility or work environment. Air quality can change quickly, so your team should have immediate access to respirators if the threat becomes more severe. Cleaning wipes come in handy to keep your face masks and respirators clean in a pinch. You can also use air filters, motors, and supply tubes to pump additional air into your work environment.
Respirator accessories provide added protection and help you make the most of your respirators. Browse our selection of respirator kits and accessories below to give your team everything they need to breathe easy in the field.
What should respirators be cleaned with?
Respirators and components should be cleaned with a mild soapy solution on a regular basis to prevent unwanted build up of dirt and sweat. Respirator cleaning wipes are a good alternative when detergent and water are not readily available. The manufacturer includes cleaning instructions in the packaging with a list of recommended cleaning products to choose from. You can always use a mild detergent if you don’t have access to an approved cleaning agent.
According to OSHA ruling 1910.134 App B-2, you should remove all filters, cartridges, and hoses from the housing before cleaning. Use the wipe or non-wire brush with stiff bristles to clean the inside of the respirator and rinse it with warm, clean water with a maximum temperature of 43 °C (110 °F). If the residue is still present, you can try soaking the equipment in running warm water or use a hypochlorite solution with 50 ppm chlorine (one milliliter of laundry bleach to one liter of warm water) or an aqueous solution with 50 ppm iodine (0.8 milliliters of tincture of iodine to one liter of warm water).
How often should a respirator be cleaned and sanitized?
OSHA recommends cleaning and disinfecting respirators at the start and end of every shift. Cleaning the respirator at the end of the shift prevents stains from hardening and toxic substances from spreading around the worksite. Respirator accessories exposed to hazardous gases may need to be cleaned as well. Keep manufacturer-approved cleaning supplies on hand to make it easy for your workers to wipe down their equipment in between shifts.
