Toolbox Talk: Respirator Seal Checks Before Every Use

A 5-minute toolbox talk for BC supervisors and crew leads. Read it out, or use the key points as prompts. Free to print and use.

Why this matters

A fit test proves a respirator model and size can seal on your face. It does not prove it is sealing today. Straps get loose, masks get put on in a hurry, and stubble grows back. A user seal check takes about 10 seconds and is the only way to know the mask is working right now.

Key points to cover

• Every time: do a seal check every time you put the respirator on, and again if it gets bumped or moved.
• Positive pressure check (half-face and full-face): cover the exhalation valve with your palm and breathe out gently. The facepiece should bulge slightly with no air escaping around the edges.
• Negative pressure check: cover the cartridges or filter inlets with your palms and breathe in gently. The facepiece should pull in slightly and stay pulled in for a few seconds.
• N95 and other disposables: cup both hands over the mask without pushing it out of shape and breathe out sharply. You should not feel air leaking at the nose or around the edges. Pinch the nose clip with both hands, not one.
• If it fails: adjust the straps and the position and try again. If it still will not seal, do not go into the hazard area. Tell your supervisor.
• Clean-shaven where it seals: hair under the seal line means no seal, even if it feels fine.
• Same model as your fit test: only wear the make, model and size you were fit tested on. A different mask means a new fit test.

Quick demo

Put on your own respirator in front of the crew and do both checks out loud. Then have each person who wears one do their checks while you watch. It is common to find straps that are too loose or upside down.

Questions to ask your crew

• When did you last do a seal check, honestly?
• Does anyone's mask feel like it moves when they talk or look down?
• Does everyone know which model and size they were fit tested on?

Record it

Write down the date, the topic and who attended, and keep it with your respiratory protection program records.

Where Clear Work fits

In BC, every worker who wears a tight-fitting respirator needs a fit test before first use and at least once a year after. We bring on-site respirator fit testing to your workplace, and we teach the seal check as part of every test.

Read more: beards and respirator fit testing and WorkSafeBC fit testing requirements. More talks in our free toolbox talk library.

This toolbox talk is general safety information. Always follow the respirator manufacturer's instructions, your respiratory protection program and the current WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation.