Construction jobs can expose workers to unsafe airborne 

contaminants (e.g., dust, fumes) that can harm health and lead to 

serious diseases. To prevent exposure to airborne contaminants, 

employers should prioritize eliminating the hazard, replacing the 

hazard, or implementing engineering controls (e.g., local exhaust 

ventilation) or administrative controls (e.g., rotating workers between 

hazardous tasks). However, when these controls are not feasible or 

are insufficient to reduce harmful exposures, workers should wear 

appropriate respiratory protection. To be effective, respirators must 

be properly selected and the user fit tested. Workers must be trained 

and follow employer and manufacturer’s instructions for the proper 

use, inspection, maintenance, and storage of respirators. This includes 

proper donning (putting on) and doffing (taking off) procedures.

Different types of respirators, such as filtering facepiece 

respirators (FFRs), elastomeric half-mask respirators (EHMRs), 

elastomeric full-facepiece respirators, and half-mask, full-facepiece, 

and hood or helmet powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs), can be 

used to protect workers from airborne contaminants. Your employer 

should provide respirators that are approved by the National Institute 

for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for use under the 

direction of a written respiratory protection program as required by 

the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Construction

Toolbox Talk

Andrea’s Story 

Andrea spent the day on a renovation project sawing concrete 

with a handheld masonry saw. Andrea did not wear a respirator 

because she used water to suppress the dust. However, due to 

the direction of the wind that day, the water suppression was 

less effective than usual, and she was still exposed to airborne 

contaminants. After completing the project, Andrea noticed her 

chronic bronchitis worsened. 

# What should Andrea have done to protect herself from the 

airborne contaminants?

# Have you or someone you know ever suffered from an 

occupational lung disease? 

Remember This 

• NIOSH sets Recommended Exposure Limits (RELs) for airborne 

contaminants such as silica dust. OSHA mandates legally 

enforceable Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) with which 

employers must comply.

• As required by OSHA, employers are responsible for providing 

a NIOSH-approved respirator to each employee whenever such 

equipment is necessary to protect the health of the employee (29 

CFR 1926.103/29 CFR 1910.134).

• The equipment provided must be a NIOSH-approved respirator 

suitable for the job. If you have a question about whether a 

respirator is needed for a specific task or which type to use, 

talk to your supervisor or foreperson. The respirator’s approval 

label indicates that the respirator is approved and will help you 

identify the protection level (e.g., N95). Make sure you follow the 

manufacturer’s instructions for each specific respirator model.

• To find a NIOSH-approved respirator consult the NIOSH Certified 

Equipment List. More information about respirators can be found 

on the NIOSH Trusted-Source web page.

– FFRs are disposable respirators comprised of a filter material that 

removes particles.

– Reusable EHMRs and elastomeric full-facepiece respirators use 

replaceable filters/cartridges to remove gases, vapors, or 

particles. Full-facepieces also provide eye and face protection.

– PAPRs use a battery-powered blower and filter/cartridge to 

remove gases, vapors, or particles.

When using respirators, always do so as part of an OSHA-compliant 

respiratory protection program, which includes medical evaluations, 

fit testing, and training. Fit testing is required to make sure tightfitting respirators provide the expected protection.

Perform the manufacturer-recommended maintenance on EHMRS, 

elastomeric full-facepiece respirators, and PAPRs. Replace 

filters/cartridges when they are damaged, soiled, causing noticeably 

increased breathing resistance, or airflow rates fall below minimum 

requirements for PAPRs.

How can we stay safe today?

What will we do at the worksite to promote respirator use and prevent respiratory-related illnesses?

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Respiratory Protection
GET 

INFORMATION 

CDC/NIOSH INFO: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) | TTY: 1-800-232-6348 | cdc.gov/info | cdc.gov/niosh

CPWR: Contact 301-578-8500 | cpwr-r2p@cpwr.com | www.cpwr.com/toolbox-talks

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2022-102 (revised 02/2022) | DOI: https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2022102revised022022 |

February 2022

Construction

Toolbox Talk Respiratory Protection

; If engineering and administrative controls are not in place or are insufficient and workers are exposed to hazards at levels above OSHA’s PELs, 

respiratory protection is required. 

; Employers must implement an OSHA-compliant respiratory protection program, which includes medical evaluations, fit testing, and training. 

; If respiratory protection is required at the worksite, respirators must be properly selected and the user fit tested. Respirators should be stored 

and made available when needed. Users must put them on and take them off according to the manufacturer’s instructions.