Page 26 - PPE GUIDELINE
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Guidelines on the Use of PPE Against Chemical Hazards
Figure 2: Effective Respiratory Protection versus % Time Worn
(Source: The Occupational Environment-Its Evaluation and Control, AIHA)
Tight-fitting respirator shall not be worn by employees who have
1. Facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the face-piece and the
face or that interferes with valve function; or
2. Any condition that interferes with the face-to-face-piece seal or valve function
-If the employee wears corrective glasses or goggles or other PPE, the
equipment shall not interfere with the seal of the face-piece to the face of the
user.
Respirator User Seal (Fit) Check
Each time after putting on a tight-fitting respirator, it is important that the user is to
perform seal check or fit check. This is necessary to ensure no leakage when it is used
in contaminated environment. A positive and negative pressure seal checks are easy to
conduct and can be performed by the wearer, following the manufacturer’s
recommended procedure.
User seal check is also required prior to conducting fit testing. Below are examples of
seal check for various respirator types.
Department of Occupational Safety & Health, Ministry of Human Resources, Malaysia October 2005 26
