Should you Clean your Respirator? A Complete Guide

By limiting exposure to potentially dangerous air pollutants such as dust, fumes, smoke, gases, and vapors, respirators serve a crucial role in worker safety. However, for respirators to function well, they must be in excellent condition. For reusable respirators, this implies that they must undergo routine cleaning and maintenance.

Regularly check your Respirator

Cleaning your Respirator won't help if it has a crack or any other issue. Before each usage, spend some time ensuring your Respirator is in good working order.

Pay close attention to the face seal and carefully inspect the facepiece for any dirt, scratches, or cracks. Inhalation & exhalation valves, straps, gaskets, and seals should all be examined for any symptoms of deterioration.

Finally, check your Respirator's lenses for anything that can compromise your performance or eyesight. It must be replaced if there are any indications of damage or fault.

How to Clean Your Respirator?

Here are some steps which will help clean your Respirator:

1. Remove the canisters, filters, or cartridges. Disassemble hoses, valve assemblies, diaphragms, and other parts.

2. Warm water and a light detergent or cleaning specified by the manufacturer should be used to wash the components. You can use a stiff-bristled (non-wire) brush.

3. Components should be rinsed in fresh, warm running water.

4. If the cleaner isn't disinfecting, you can submerge the respirator parts in OSHA-approved solutions. NEVER use alcohol wipes or solvents.

5. Rinse the parts once again in clean, hot running water.

6. Components can be dried by hand using a lint-free, clean cloth or left to air dry.

7. Replace filters, cartridges, and canisters before reassembling the facepiece.

8. Check the Respirator's functionality.

Upkeep Your Respirator

Do not leave your Respirator in the cab of your truck, a toolbox, or a locker. Rules regarding that are in place for a good purpose.

After each usage, correctly storing your Respirator is crucial to preserving your equipment. Because exposure to direct sunlight, heat, cold, smoke, or chemicals might harm your Respirator & render it ineffective, be careful to store it in a cool, dry location.

To prevent contamination, you should also take that cartridge from your Respirator & keep it in a plastic bag with a zipper closure.

Filters and cartridges cannot be cleaned. They can either be entirely discarded or repurposed, depending on their state. To know when to replace each cartridge, have a change-out schedule on hand.

It's crucial to keep track of the pollutants you're handling, their frequency, concentration, and duration of usage, and any other aspects of your work environment, such as temperature and humidity. Keep track of these replacements to know when a new filter is needed.

Conclusion

Respirators may survive for a very long period if they are correctly maintained. Contrarily, filters require frequent replacement per the manufacturer's recommendations. Do not be afraid to contact a trained expert or the manufacturer if you have any additional queries about maintaining, inspecting, or cleaning your Respirator.