If workers are exposed to hazardous substances which they could potentially breathe, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services recommends that the job be evaluated by an industrial hygienist.
Engineering controls are preferred.
Although they appear to be convenient, single-use respirators require a full respiratory protection program to be effective. In addition, all respirator wearers should be medically evaluated by a physician to determine whether they are fit to wear respirators. Other agencies also require full respiratory protection programs if single-use respirators are used. Single-use dust and mist respirators have a lower protection factor than half or full face respirators. Single-use respirators are assigned the lowest protection factor of all air purifying respirators.