What should you do in case of respiratory difficulty while using a respirator?

In situations where you experience respiratory difficulty while using a respirator, the appropriate action is to leave the area and seek fresh air. This is crucial because respiratory difficulty can indicate that the respirator is not functioning properly or that the air quality in your environment is hazardous. By leaving the contaminated area, you protect yourself from potential harm caused by inhaling harmful substances.

Continuing to work with a faulty respirator could lead to serious health consequences, such as asphyxiation or exposure to toxins. Seeking fresh air allows your body to recover from the strain of struggling to breathe and reduces the risk of further injury.

While informing a supervisor is an important step, it should occur after ensuring your immediate safety. Simply replacing the filter or stopping the use of the respirator without addressing the potential dangers in the environment could leave you exposed to hazardous conditions. Therefore, the most logical and safety-focused choice is to exit the area actively and seek a safe environment.