What dictates what type of respirator we should wear?

• A. Air monitoring will tell you
• B. When you require the use of a respirator for any reason, for any duration
• C. Both air monitoring results and the requirement to wear for any reason
• D. Employer preference only

Answer: (C)

Respirator selection is driven by how exposed workers actually are to a hazard and the requirement to protect them. Air monitoring provides the concentration of the contaminant (and checks for oxygen deficiency), which tells you whether a respirator is needed at all and what level of protection is required. If the atmosphere shows elevated concentrations or is not safe to breathe, you must choose a respirator that provides the appropriate protection. The fact that a respirator must be worn for any period signals a real hazard and helps determine the specific type and protection level needed, such as a filtering versus supplied-air respirator and the appropriate facepiece. In short, the correct choice blends the measured conditions with the requirement to protect workers, rather than relying on preference or a blanket rule.