Six steps
- Wash or disinfect your hands before touching the mask.
- Hold the mask with the nose clip on top and place it over nose, mouth and chin.
- Pull the upper strap over the back of your head and the lower strap below your ears onto your neck.
- Press the nose clip to the bridge of your nose with both hands, not with one, which bends it on one side only.
- Check the seal before entering the work area.
- To take the mask off, release it by the straps and do not touch the outside, which carries contaminants.
A seal check in ten seconds
Place both hands loosely over the mask and breathe out firmly. If the seal is tight, the mask bulges slightly and no air escapes at the edge. If you feel air at the nose, press the clip again. If you feel it at the cheeks, adjust the straps. The exact method for each model is in the instructions for use.
Common mistakes
- Straps twisted or both pulled over the head.
- Clip not pressed on, so air flows past the eyes.
- Mask worn under the chin or pulled down in between.
- Beard or sideburns in the sealing line. Nothing compensates for that, see Face seal and beards.
- A used mask put back on after a break although it is wet, deformed or dirty.
With safety glasses, helmet and ear defenders
Safety glasses must not push the mask upwards. If they fog up, the clip often does not seal. Put on glasses, helmet and ear defenders first and the mask last. Check the seal with the complete equipment.
If the company wants to know for sure: the fit test
A fit test measures whether a given mask model seals on a given person, qualitatively with a taste test or quantitatively with an instrument. A fit test includes the choice between several models and sizes. Instructions and record sheets to download per model: Fit test for AirGuard Pro masks.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check that my FFP mask seals?
Place both hands loosely over the mask and breathe out firmly. If air escapes at the edge, adjust clip and straps. The model-specific method is in the instructions for use.
Do I have to press the nose clip on?
Yes. Shape the clip to the bridge of your nose with both hands so that no air flows past the eyes.
Can I wear an FFP mask with a beard?
Not if beard or sideburns lie in the sealing line. They prevent a tight seal.
What is a fit test?
A test that checks whether a given mask model seals on a person. It is carried out qualitatively or quantitatively.
