How To Care for Your Half Dust Mask

Dust Mask Maintenance in Stone Working

Proper maintenance of respiratory protective equipment is essential to ensure that you and your team are protected against dangerous dust or fume emissions. Dust masks that are dirty, damaged or incomplete carry a risk of exposure.

This How To Guide aims to provide a set of steps to ensure that you are aware how to correctly care for a central component of your respiratory protective equipment. This article refers to non-powered negative pressure dust mask - the kind where the user creates the vacuum when they breathe in. Below are some examples of the styles of half mask that we stock.

HSE Advice on Maintaining Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)

There are five key points you should follow when carrying out maintainence for dust masks:

1. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions (these are available as downloads on our product pages)
2. A competent person should carry out the work
3. Ensure the intervals for maintainence are appropriate
4. The maintenance programme should reflect the complexity of maintaining the RPE
5. Keep records - see an example and template below

Dust Mask Diagram

The diagram below is one of our most popular half masks - the Dust Mask Profile 2 from Scott Safety. Most dust masks of this kind share similar components, and we'll use it to run through general care advice.

Step 1: Inspect

Dust masks must be checked before every use. If any damage is found then do not use the mask. If there is a clogging issue, change the filters and re-test. Do not continue to use it if this does not solve the problem.

• Check the components for damage by looking at the Facepiece (2), Head Harness (1) and Valve Set (4a+b) to ensure that they are present and intact. For example, if the Head Harness (1) is damaged in any way, the mask will not seal on the face correctly and not offer full protection
• Check the housing for any damage or cracks.

Step 2: Fit Check and Pre Use Check

To ensure that the dust mask is working, perform a fit check. There are two common methods.

• Cover the Exhalation Valve (4b) with your hand. Exhale gently to create overpressure. There must be no leakage between the face and the face seal
• Cover the filter openings with your hand. Inhale to make the mask press onto your face

If you fail to get a tight fit, this may mean that there is a potential leakage. If this is the case, adjust the head harness and perform the test again. This could mean that the mask is damaged but it was not found in step 1.

Step 3: Clean and Disinfect

After every use the following steps are suggested, remembering to remove the filters before cleaning. Ensure that your hands are clean and you do this step in clean area.

• Dissasemble the respirator - you can find a diagram of our respirators on the product pages
• Use lukewarm water, a mild detergent (neutral pH 6-8) and a cloth. Do not use a solvent based product, hot water or bleaching agents
• Once the mask is clean and dry, disinfect the inside and the face with a disinfectant cleaner or Disinfectant Wipes
• Never clean the mask with compressed air or water

Step 4: Store

• Once the half mask has been fully cleaned, allow it to air-dry. Then store it in a cool dry place between -10/+50°C away from dirt and direct sunlight and remove the filters
• An option is a plastic sandwich bag, the kind that seals tight with a zip, or we stock Personal Storage Boxes that will ensure the mask is stored away from dusty environments
• Do not store items on top of the dust mask as this could deform the Facepiece (2) resulting in an improper fit
• Filters are supplied in sealed plastic bags by the manufacturer - once opened do not leave them in dust place as this will damage their lifespan. They, must be sealed tightly if opened

Step 5: Replace

• Filters only have a limited capacity and will become clogged, making breathing difficult. Replacement filters should be changed when needed to ensure the RPE is effective
• These half masks styles are considered temporary. A monthly inspection should take place to see whether a new mask is required

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.