Notice Clarifies Donning Instructions for Certain N95 Respirators

A user notice published by the company Shigematsu Works Co., Ltd. was recently added to the respirator user notices page of the NIOSH National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) website, which lists communications from manufacturers regarding conditions or risks that may exist with NIOSH-certified products. The notice clarifies donning instructions for Shigematsu’s N95 Lambda-Line series respirators, including its DD02-N95+S surgical N95 as well as its DD02-N95-2K and DD02V-N95-2K N95 respirator products. Previous instructions from the company inappropriately instructed users who had difficulty securing a proper fit around the chin to place the lower strap of the respirator over the crown of the head in an effort to improve fit. Shigematsu has removed this method of donning from its user instructions, and the company’s notice instructs individuals to discontinue use of these respirators if they cannot achieve a good fit with the straps placed properly—with the bottom strap behind the head and below the ears and the upper strap high on the back of the head near the crown.

Please see the notice from Shigematsu (PDF) and the corresponding infographic (PDF) for further details. These and other recent notices can also be found on the NPPTL website.