What should you do before wearing any tight-fitting respirator to apply pesticides?

Before wearing any tight-fitting respirator to apply pesticides, it is essential to perform seal checks. This process ensures that the respirator forms a proper seal against the face, which is crucial for ensuring the effectiveness of the respirator in protecting against airborne contaminants. A proper seal ensures that no unfiltered air can enter, which is vital for the safety of the user, especially when handling potentially harmful chemicals like pesticides.

Cleaning the respirator is important for maintenance and hygiene, but doing so does not confirm whether or not the respirator fits correctly or functions adequately for protection during pesticide application. Similarly, checking the expiration date and inspecting the pesticide label are important steps in their own right, but they do not specifically address the immediate concern of ensuring a proper and secure fit before use. Therefore, performing seal checks is the most critical step to take prior to using a tight-fitting respirator in this context.