Scout's Toolbox Talks

Wearing a respirator isn’t optional when airborne hazards are present — it’s required. The right protection depends on the hazard you face.

Why It Matters:

Dust, fumes, vapors, and mists can cause immediate harm or long-term damage to your lungs. Many respiratory hazards are invisible and odorless, so you may not know you’re at risk until it’s too late.

Key Points:

• Identify the hazard: Is it dust, chemical fumes, silica, or something else?
• Follow the safety data sheet (SDS) and job hazard analysis (JHA) for required protection.
• Use the correct type of respirator — filtering facepiece, half-face, or full-face — based on the hazard.
• Respirators must be NIOSH-approved and properly fitted.
• Surgical masks are not respirators and offer no protection from dust or chemicals.

✅ No guesswork — if air quality is questionable, ask before breathing it in.

Ask the Crew:

• What airborne hazards do we face today?
• Do we have the right type of respiratory protection for the task?

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