Respiratory protection is needed when ventilation is not sufficient to remove welding fumes or when there is risk of oxygen deficiency.  Select and use respirators in compliance with your workplace regulation. Seek expert advice and initiate a proper respiratory protection program.

For more information on selecting the appropriate respirators, see the OSH Answers on Respirator Selection.

The process of selecting appropriate respiratory protection is outlined in Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standard Z94.4 and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z88.2 standard "Respiratory Protection".