The purpose of a respirator is to protect the user from inhaling airborne particles. Proper fitment is essential for a respirator to protect the user from airborne particles, fumes, viruses, bacteria and other hazardous substances.
An airtight seal ensures that air passing through the respirator is filtered, removing pollutants before they are breathed in. If there are gaps or obstructions between the respirator and the face, contaminated air can bypass the filter, exposing the user to potentially hazardous particles that may enter their respiratory system.
How Does Facial Hair Interfere With The Fitment of a Respirator?
Contaminated air can leak through a respirator if there is interference between the respirator and the user's face. Facial hair, such as beards, moustaches, and even stubble, can pose a risk to the efficacy of a respirator because it prevents an airtight seal.
They create gaps around the respirator's seal, allowing contaminated air to bypass the filtering system of a respirator. Even a small amount of facial hair can interfere with the seal, threatening the user's respiratory system with dangerous airborne particles.
How Do You Properly Fit a Respirator?
Proper fitting is required to ensure that a respirator provides the expected level of protection. However, at work the first step is to ensure that if a respirator has various sizes, you choose the right size for your face. Make sure it creates an airtight seal around your nose and mouth without any gaps. Some respirators have adjustable straps that can customise the fitment.
Perform a seal check to ensure it is a snug fit for your face. A seal check is conducted by covering the respirator with both hands and inhaling deeply to check if the respirator does not collapse against your face. If a respirator comes with adjustable straps, ensure that you adjust these to suit; if not, a different size would need to be tested.
A fit check can be conducted once the respirator is on. To ensure that a respirator is fitting correctly, place your hands over the respirator and exhale with force. Ensure that there is no air leaking around the edges of the respirator. If the respirator is adjustable, re-adjust to suit. If the respirator is not adjustable, try a different size and repeat the fit check.
Ensure to follow any manufacturer's instructions regarding different types of respirators. It is also important to note that donning and doffing procedures should be done correctly and carefully to avoid contamination and ensure a respirator's effectiveness.
I Don't Want to Shave!
While we appreciate the manly appearance of your beard, it is more important you survive to grow another beard than to wear it on the field. However, there are alternatives - expensive ones - if you really can't, or won't, shave to ensure your respirator fits properly.
A Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) is a system that uses a fan to deliver filtered air into a variety of headgear and facepiece options. Most systems will include a headpiece, breathing tube (if applicable), motor-blower unit, battery, filter and/or cartridge. However, this is an entire mechanical system functioning to provide you with your air, and as such, can cost thousands for a complete kit.
Since these systems do not fit directly to your face like a mask does, you're free to keep that luxurious facial hair of yours. If your beard is worth around $2800 more compared to a reusable mask, or even $3200 compared to a disposable, then a PAPR system is right for you. We won't judge!
Ensure Effective Protection
The proper fitment of respirators is vital for effective respiratory protection. Choosing the right size, performing a seal check and removing any interferences, such as facial hair, should be considered to ensure a snug fit that will filter any harmful airborne particles from entering the respiratory system.
Following the manufacturer's instructions, regularly checking fitment and seeking training procedures for donning and doffing will practically guarantee the expected level of protection from a respirator.
