Dust Mask

A disposable dust mask. It is among the least expensive pieces of protective equipment in the shop and the one most often skipped, which is exactly backwards: cutting block, chasing walls, mixing cement, sanding filler and timber, sweeping out a site and grinding steel all put fine dust into the air, and silica dust in particular does damage that accumulates quietly over years rather than announcing itself. A mask costs almost nothing and is thrown away at the end of the job. Fit it so it seals against the face rather than hanging loose, pinch the nose strip down, and change it once it is clogged or damp. This is a nuisance-dust mask; work with solvents, spraying or chemicals needs a proper respirator with filters.