Respiratory Protection puts workers through 10 interactions matching the right respirator and cartridge to the hazard, running the seal check, and judging when an atmosphere makes air-purifying protection unsafe — validating 7 competencies in choosing and trusting the correct protection.
Awareness-level respiratory protection aligned with Manitoba WSH Regulation Part 6 (Personal Protective Equipment) and CSA Z94.4 (Selection, Use, and Care of Respirators). Because you cannot hold your breath long enough to escape a bad choice, a respirator only protects if it is the RIGHT class for the contaminant, SEALS to your face, and has a serviceable filter/cartridge.
Enable workers to recognize respiratory hazards, understand why respiratory protection is the last line of defence, match a respirator to the hazard, achieve and check a seal, care for the equipment, and know their role in the workplace respiratory protection program.
At a glance
Format: Online, self-paced and interactive
Length: about 1 hour, 5 modules
Pass mark: 80% on the final test
Certificate: QR-verified, valid for three years
Jurisdiction: Manitoba law and standards
Who this course is for
Workers who wear respirators against dusts, vapours, fumes, or oxygen-deficient atmospheres on the job.
Workers exposed to dusts, mists, fumes, gases, or vapours
Auto-body, refinishing, and paint-spray workers
Welders, grinders, and abrasive-blasting workers
Construction, agriculture, and manufacturing workers
Supervisors and employers responsible for respiratory protection programs
What you will learn
Recognize the main respiratory hazards and that most cannot be seen, smelled, or felt reliably
Explain why respiratory protection is the last line of defence, below elimination and ventilation
Distinguish air-purifying, supplied-air, and SCBA respirators and what assigned protection factor means
Select the right respirator for a given contaminant, concentration, and oxygen level
Describe fit testing and perform a user seal check; explain why facial hair breaks the seal
Care for, inspect, store, and change the filters/cartridges of a respirator
State the elements of a respiratory protection program and the worker’s role in it
Course outline
Respiratory Hazards & Why RPE Is the Last Line — The main respiratory hazards — particulates, mists, fumes, gases and vapours, and oxygen-deficient/IDLH atmospheres — and where a respirator sits in the hierarchy of controls.
Types of Respirators & How They Match the Hazard — The main respirator families — air-purifying (particulate filters and gas/vapour cartridges), supplied-air, and SCBA — and assigned protection factor.
Selection, Fit & the Seal — Selecting the right respirator for the hazard, fit testing, the user seal check, and why facial hair breaks the seal.
Use, Care, Maintenance & Cartridge Change — Donning and seal-checking, changing filters/cartridges on a schedule (not by smell), and inspecting, cleaning, and storing a respirator.
The Respiratory Protection Program & Your Role — The elements of a written respiratory protection program (CSA Z94.4 / MB Part 6) and the worker’s role.
Laws and standards covered
Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act (C.C.S.M. c. W210)
Manitoba WSH Regulation MR 217/2006, Part 6
CSA Z94.4 — Selection, Use, and Care of Respirators
CSA Z180.1 — Compressed Breathing Air and Systems (for supplied-air systems)
NIOSH 42 CFR Part 84
Certificate and renewal
Passing the final test issues a QR-verified certificate, valid for three years. Awareness refresher is recommended every 3 years, or sooner after a change of process/contaminant, a new respirator type, or an incident. Note: this awareness course is NOT a fit test — anyone required to wear a tight-fitting respirator must be medically cleared and fit-tested on the specific make/model/size before…
Common questions
How long does Respiratory Protection take?
About 1 hour online, over 5 modules, at your own pace. It ends with a final test that needs 80% to pass.
How long is the Respiratory Protection certificate valid?
Three years from the day you pass. Awareness refresher is recommended every 3 years, or sooner after a change of process/contaminant, a new respirator type, or an incident.
Which laws and standards does Respiratory Protection cover?
Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act (C.C.S.M. c. W210); Manitoba WSH Regulation MR 217/2006, Part 6; CSA Z94.4 — Selection, Use, and Care of Respirators; and 2 more listed on this page.
Who should take Respiratory Protection?
Workers who wear respirators against dusts, vapours, fumes, or oxygen-deficient atmospheres on the job.