Intended Use
The 3M™ Rugged Comfort Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator, 6500 Series (6501, 6502, 6503) are
designed to help provide respiratory protection against certain airborne contaminants when used in
accordance with all use instructions and limitations and applicable safety and health regulations.
W
WARNING
Properly selected, used, and maintained respirators help protect against certain contaminants
by reducing airborne concentrations below the Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL). It is
essential to follow all instructions and government regulations on the use of this product,
including wearing the complete respirator system during all times of exposure in order for the
product to help protect the wearer.
Misuse of respirators may result in overexposure to
contaminants and lead to sickness or death
. For proper use, see supervisor, refer to these
User Instructions
or contact 3M Technical Service.
List of Warnings and Cautions within these
User Instructions
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WARNING
Failure to follow these instructions may reduce respirator performance, expose you to
contaminants above the OEL, and
may result in sickness or death.
• To help maintain a good seal between the face and the faceseal, the respirator faceseal
must be clear of obstructions at all times. Do not use with beards, facial hair or anything
that prevents direct contact between the face and the respirator faceseal.
• Do not clean respirator with solvents. Cleaning with solvents may degrade some respirator
components and reduce respirator effectiveness.
• Inspect all respirator components before each use to ensure proper operating condition.
• Do not alter, misuse, or abuse this respirator.
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CAUTION
Failure to properly dispose of spent cartridges, fi lters, or respirators contaminated by hazardous materials
can result in personal exposures as well as environmental harm. Handling, transportation and disposal of
spent cartridges, fi lters, or respirators must comply with all applicable federal, state, provincial and local
laws and regulations.
NIOSH Cautions and Limitations for Negative Pressure Usage
The following restrictions may apply. See NIOSH Approval Label. If you are using the 3M™ Rugged Comfort
Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator 6500 Series as part of a Supplied Air Respirator confi guration, refer to the
User Instructions
that accompanies your air control device for information on NIOSH Cautions and Limitations.
A – Not for use in atmospheres containing less than 19.5 percent oxygen.
B – Not for use in atmospheres immediately dangerous to life or health.
C – Do not exceed maximum use concentrations established by regulatory standards.
H – Follow established cartridge and canister change schedules or observe ESLI to ensure that cartridges and
canisters are replaced before breakthrough occurs.
J – Failure to properly use and maintain this product could result in injury or death.
K – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations require gas-proof goggles to be worn with
this respirator when used against formaldehyde.
L – Follow the manufacturer’s
User’s Instructions
for changing cartridges, canister and/or fi lters.
M – All approved respirators shall be selected, fi tted, used, and maintained in accordance with MSHA, OSHA,
and other applicable regulations.
N – Never substitute, modify, add, or omit parts. Use only exact replacement parts in the confi guration as
specifi ed by the manufacturer.
O – Refer to
User’s Instructions
, and/or maintenance manuals for information on use and maintenance of these
respirators.
P – NIOSH does not evaluate respirators for use as surgical masks.
S – Special or critical
User’s Instructions
and/or specifi c use limitations apply. Refer to
User’s Instructions
before
donning.
S – Special or Critical
User’s Instructions
3M™ Organic Vapor Service Life Indicator Cartridges (6001i and 60921i) and Mercury Vapor Cartridges
(6009S and 60929S) are equipped with a passive 3M™ End of Service Life Indicator (ESLI). The indicator
must be readily seen when wearing the respirator. If you cannot readily see the ESLI, use a mirror to observe
the ESLI, rely on a co-worker who can see the ESLI, or go to a clean area, remove the respirator and view the
ESLI. Do not rely solely on the organic vapor ESLI unless your employer has determined that it is appropriate
for your workplace. See 6001i or 60921i
User Instructions
for more information, including Special Instructions
regarding the ESLI. The mercury vapor cartridges must be discarded when the ESLI changes to the discard
color found on the mercury vapor cartridge label; or within 30 days of opening packaging; or when ESLI
becomes dirty or damaged; or when odors of vapors or gases become noticeable; or according to chlorine
service life, whichever occurs fi rst. Mercury vapor has no odor.
Respirator Program Management
Occupational use of respirators must be in compliance with applicable health and safety standards. By
law U.S. employers must establish a written respiratory protection program meeting the requirements of
the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134 and any applicable OSHA substance specifi c
standards. In Canada, CSA standard Z94.4 requirements must be met and/or requirements of the applicable
jurisdiction, as appropriate. In Brazil, follow the Respiratory Protection Program of the Ministry of Labor.
Consult an industrial hygienist or call 3M Technical Service with questions concerning applicability of these
products to your job requirements
.
Rugged Comfort Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator
6500 Series
User Instructions for 3M™ Rugged Comfort Half Facepiece Reusable Respirators 6501 (Small) (49487*),
6502 (Medium) (49489*), 6503 (Large) (49491*)
IMPORTANT:
Before use, the wearer must read and understand these
User Instructions.
Keep these
instructions for reference.
*49487, 49489, and 49491 are catalog numbers only. NIOSH approved as 3M™ Rugged Comfort Half
Facepiece Reusable Respirators 6501 (Small), 6502 (Medium), and 6503 (Large).
This respirator has dual approval as a United States (US) National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) half facepiece respirator and as Brazil Ministry of Labor half face piece respirator.
Specifi c information is provided where applicable. All other information is common to both standards.
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WARNING
This respirator helps protect against certain airborne contaminants.
Misuse may result in
sickness or death.
For proper use, see your supervisor, consult these
User Instructions
, or call
3M Technical Service in the United States.
FOREWORD
These
User Instructions
provide information about facepiece use only. Important information is provided in
the
User Instructions
with each of the air fi ltration systems that are used with 3M™ Rugged Comfort Half
Facepieces 6501, 6502 and 6503. Read and understand all
User Instructions
and warnings before using.
Keep these
User Instructions
for reference. If you have questions regarding these products, contact 3M
Technical Service.
