How to Properly Wear a Professional Protective Mask?

1. What preparations should be made before wearing?
Before wearing a professional protective mask, three core tasks must be completed: environmental assessment, equipment inspection and facial preparation, in accordance with GB 18664—2025 Selection, Use and Maintenance of Respiratory Protective Equipment. First, assess the working environment to ensure the oxygen concentration is not less than 18% and the pollutant concentration does not exceed the mask's protection limit. For oxygen-deficient or high-concentration toxic gas environments, a positive-pressure air respirator must be used instead. Second, inspect the mask body for cracks, deformation or aging, and ensure the silicone edge is soft and undamaged; verify the gas canister/filter cotton is intact, within the validity period and matches the pollutant type. Finally, clean the face, remove facial hair such as beards and sideburns that affect sealing, and take off glasses to avoid interfering with the seal.
2. What are the standard wearing steps?
Pre-adjust headbands: Fully loosen the headbands, hold the mask on both sides with both hands, and keep the nasal bridge metal clip facing upward.
Fit to face: Place the bottom of the mask on the chin, pull it up to cover the nose and mouth, and ensure the edge fits the facial contour.
Fasten headbands: Tighten the lower headband to the neck first, then the upper headband to the top of the head. Adjust the tension evenly to ensure comfort and no obvious gaps.
Shape nasal bridge: Press the metal strip along the nasal bridge with both index fingers to fit the nasal bridge and cheeks, reducing air leakage gaps.
Air tightness test: Cover the gas canister inlet with the palm, take a deep breath and hold for 10 seconds. A slight negative pressure adsorption without air penetration indicates qualification; readjust the headbands and retest if air leaks.
3. What are common wearing mistakes?
Common mistakes include over-tight or loose headbands, unfitted nasal bridge strips, untrimmed facial hair and skipping air tightness tests. Over-tight headbands cause facial indentation and discomfort, while loose ones lead to edge air leakage; unshaped nasal bridge strips create gaps that reduce protection; beards and glasses break the seal and cause leakage; working without an air tightness test may result in pollutant inhalation due to seal failure.
4. How to adjust and maintain after wearing?
If air leakage or discomfort occurs after wearing, promptly adjust headband tension and mask position, and test by lowering, raising and turning the head to ensure no displacement. Avoid large movements during operation to reduce the risk of mask displacement. Disinfect the inner side of the mask in time after use, store it by designated personnel in a dry and ventilated place away from direct sunlight and extrusion; replace gas canisters/filter cotton regularly and do not use them beyond the validity period.
5. How to select a suitable mask for different scenarios?
For dust and particulate matter environments, choose KN95/KN100 dust masks; for toxic and harmful gas environments, select a matching gas canister (organic vapor, acid gas, etc.); for welding and high-temperature operations, choose arc radiation and heat radiation protective masks; for large-area chemical splash scenarios, prioritize full-face masks to ensure complete facial protection。