Respiratory Hazards: Know What You’re Breathing

One-page crew talk, with separate supervisor and attendance sheets. Plan a 5–10 minute discussion and allow the time needed for field verification. All downloads are free; no account is required.

Reviewed October 6, 2026 · Version 1.0 · Scope: Task hazard review and required respiratory protection

Learning objective

Confirm the task’s respiratory controls and recognize when protection is unknown.

Start with today’s work

Illustrative scenario: A crew changes from dry cleanup to using a solvent-containing product. The disposable particulate respirator from the earlier task is still in the worker’s pocket. Pause: the substance and exposure route have changed. Review the product information and task assessment, revise the controls and have the program’s responsible person establish any required respiratory protection.

Key hazards or failure points

Unidentified dust, fumes, gases or vapors; ineffective capture or ventilation; the wrong respirator or cartridge; poor fit; and an unknown or oxygen-deficient atmosphere.

Practical controls

• Have the employer evaluate the actual material, process and exposure. Use feasible engineering controls, such as effective capture or an approved lower-exposure method. Appearance and smell cannot establish safe air.
• Where respirators are required, follow the respiratory protection program and task-specific selection. Confirm medical evaluation, training and applicable fit testing before use. Do not choose protection by color or convenience.
• For a tight-fitting respirator, use the approved model and size, keep the seal clear of interfering facial hair, and check compatibility with other PPE. Follow the specified cartridge change schedule where required.

Verify It in the Field

• Match the task and material to the exposure assessment and control plan. Have the designated person verify ventilation or capture using its specified performance check—not merely whether a fan is running.
• Confirm the selected respirator, filter or cartridge matches the program’s task requirements. Inspect it under the manufacturer’s instructions. For a tight-fitting respirator, complete the required user seal check every time it is donned; this does not replace fit testing.
• Ask the worker to identify where to go and whom to notify if protection fails. An air-purifying respirator does not supply oxygen. Unknown atmospheres require specialist assessment and the appropriate entry procedures.

For each required control, identify the acceptance source and safe check method, assign a person with the required competence and authority, and record the actual result and time. Use VERIFIED, HOLD/NOT VERIFIED, or N/A with a reason. A checkmark alone does not demonstrate that protection works.

These are examples, not a complete task inspection. Check all required controls. Do not enter danger, defeat a safeguard or improvise a test. If the criterion, method or result is uncertain, hold affected work and get the appropriate technical help. No actual equipment model, product SDS or site permit was supplied for these examples; use the documents for your task.

Leader preparation and explanation

Identify the hazard before selecting equipment

The employer must identify and evaluate respiratory hazards under 1910.134. If exposure cannot be identified or reasonably estimated, that uncertainty has serious implications under the standard’s IDLH provisions. Do not treat unknown air as ordinary nuisance dust. Enclosed spaces, oxygen deficiency and emergency entry require their own assessment and procedures.

Verify engineering performance

A running fan proves that a motor turns. It does not prove that contaminants are captured at the source or that exposure is controlled. Use the system’s specified indicator, inspection, measurement or exposure-evaluation method through the designated competent technical person. This page supplies no invented airflow, exposure limit or sampling method.

Fit test and seal check are different

For required tight-fitting respirators, fit testing applies to the actual make, model, style and size and is required before initial use, after relevant changes, and at least annually under 1910.134(f). A user seal check is required each time the respirator is donned under (g); it is not a substitute. Medical evaluation precedes fit testing and required use. Voluntary-use provisions differ and must be managed under the program where applicable.

Do not use odor as a change schedule

Where gas/vapor cartridges are used, the program must establish the required end-of-service-life indicator or objective change schedule. Smelling a contaminant is not a reliable way to schedule replacement. If breakthrough or another failure is noticed, leave safely and follow the program’s corrective process. Air-purifying equipment does not provide oxygen.

Stop and reassess

Leave the exposure area safely for failed ventilation, leakage, increased breathing resistance, irritation, breakthrough or a changed process. Report the problem and follow the program before reentry. Do not enter an unknown atmosphere or attempt an unplanned rescue. Correct and verify the protection, obtain required authorization and rebrief before work resumes.

When conditions change, return to Pre-Job JHA/JSA: What Changed Today? and revise the affected task plan with the crew.

Three crew discussion questions

• What assessment identifies today’s airborne hazard and required controls?
• What evidence shows capture or respiratory protection is suitable and working?
• What change or symptom means we leave, and where is the safe location?

Short supervisor field check

• Current assessment covers the actual material, process and expected exposure.
• Engineering controls have the specified performance verification and acceptable results.
• Required respirator selection matches the task, atmosphere and program requirements.
• Medical clearance, training, fit testing where applicable, inspection and seal checks are confirmed.
• Exit, failure response, cartridge changes and any specialist entry arrangements are understood.

Use the separate supervisor sheet to record the task and change, JHA/JSA revision, acceptance source, safe method, verifier, actual result, unresolved items, corrective action, recheck and required restart authorization. Link specialist inspection records rather than copying private or unnecessary details.

Attendance and follow-through

Use the separate attendance sheet for participant names, roles and acknowledgment, meeting details, concerns, actions and rebriefs. Attendance is not proof of competence, functioning controls or permission to work. Keep completed records under the employer’s privacy and recordkeeping procedures; never post completed sign-in sheets publicly.

Related JHA/JSA resource and existing video

How to Conduct a Job Safety Analysis connects the task steps, hazards and controls. For related background, see What Is PPE and How Do You Choose It?.

Related crew discussions

• Hazard Communication: Labels, SDS & the Task
• Heat: Conditions Change, Controls Change

One next step

Use the free JSA Planning and Field-Verification Sheet to record today’s changes and checks with the crew.

Sources and references

Sources reviewed October 6, 2026. Apply each regulation’s industry and activity scope, and current state or local requirements where applicable. Guidance is identified separately. This discussion resource supports preparation; it does not replace task procedures, required training, permits or specialist decisions.

1. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 — Engineering controls and program; hazard evaluation/selection; medical evaluation; fit testing; use, seal checks and cartridge-change provisions. Regulation; apply its scope and exceptions.
2. OSHA 29 CFR 1926.103 — Construction respiratory protection requirements are identical to 1910.134. Regulation; apply its scope and exceptions.