Honeywell North 760008ASW Full Face Welding Respirator Review: 7600 Series Silicone Welding Full-Facepiece (Small)
Honeywell North 760008ASW Welding Respirator Review: Best Small-Size Silicone Welding Full-Face Respirator?
Short answer: The 760008ASW is the small-size silicone welding variant of the Honeywell North 7600 Series full-face respirator — NIOSH TC-14C, APF 50, integrated welding shade lens. This review covers who needs the small size, OSHA compliance, cartridge selection, fit testing, and comparison to the medium/large 760008AW and the thermoplastic 54001SW.
Smaller-faced workers — including many women, younger workers, and men with narrower facial profiles — have historically been underserved by welding respirator programs that stock only medium/large sizing. The 760008ASW addresses this gap with the same silicone 7600 Series platform and welding-shade integration as the 760008AW, scaled to a small facepiece. For the thermoplastic small welding option, see our 54001SW review.
Editorial Verdict — 4.5 / 5
The 760008ASW is the correct specification for smaller-faced welders requiring APF 50 respiratory protection with integrated arc flash eye shielding. The silicone facepiece provides superior heat resistance and seal consistency versus the thermoplastic 54001SW. For operations where smaller-faced workers weld daily in high-heat or confined-space environments, the 7600 Series silicone platform is the justified choice. The higher unit cost versus the 54001SW is offset by longer service life in demanding conditions.
Quick-Reference Specs: Honeywell North 760008ASW
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | 760008ASW |
| Platform | North 7600 Series |
| Facepiece Material | Silicone |
| Size | Small |
| NIOSH Approval | TC-14C |
| APF (OSHA) | 50 |
| Lens Type | Welding shade (factory-installed) |
| Cartridge System | North bayonet (dual-cartridge) |
| Recommended Cartridges | North 7580P100L, 75SCP100L, 75FFP100 |
| OSHA Regulation | 29 CFR 1910.134; 29 CFR 1926.103 |
Why Sizing Matters: The Small-Face Compliance Gap
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134(d)(1)(i) requires employers to select a respirator that is appropriate for the chemical hazard and provides a proper fit. "Proper fit" is not optional — a respirator that does not seal against the face provides essentially no protection regardless of its rated APF. For smaller-faced workers wearing a medium/large respirator that gaps at the chin or temples, the APF 50 rating is theoretical, not actual.
NIOSH's comprehensive fit-testing data confirms that face size is one of the strongest predictors of fit-test failure when the wrong size is selected. A full-face respirator must be available in multiple sizes to serve a diverse workforce. The 760008ASW specifically addresses the portion of the welder population — disproportionately women and workers with smaller facial profiles — who cannot achieve a reliable seal in medium/large North welding respirators.
Required by OSHA: employers must provide multiple size options when workers fit-test at different sizes. Stocking only medium/large for a mixed-gender or mixed-size workforce is a potential OSHA citation under 29 CFR 1910.134(d)(1).
Silicone vs. Thermoplastic for Small-Faced Welders
The small-size welding respirator choice on the North platform is between the silicone 760008ASW (7600 Series) and the thermoplastic 54001SW (5400 Series). The decision matrix mirrors the M/L comparison:
| Factor | 760008ASW (Silicone) | 54001SW (Thermoplastic) |
|---|---|---|
| Heat resistance | Superior — maintains seal geometry at elevated temps | Adequate for moderate heat environments |
| Chemical resistance | High — resistant to flux, cutting fluid residues | Moderate |
| Seal consistency | Higher conformability to small facial contours | Good, cost-effective for intermittent use |
| Unit cost | Higher | Lower |
| Best for | Daily-use welding, high-heat, demanding environments | Intermittent welding, budget programs |
For smaller-faced welders who weld daily in hot environments — foundry work, confined structural welding, shipyard applications — the 760008ASW's silicone premium is justified. For occasional welding maintenance tasks in moderate environments, the 54001SW may offer sufficient protection at lower program cost.
Cartridge Compatibility and Selection
The 760008ASW uses the same North bayonet cartridge system as all other North full-face and half-face respirators. This means cartridges stocked for the 760008AW or other North platforms are directly compatible — no separate SKU required. See our complete North cartridge guide for welding-specific recommendations including Cr(VI), manganese, and general metal fume applications.
For stainless steel welding where Cr(VI) exposure is a concern, NIOSH recommends a minimum P100 filter. For galvanized or zinc-coated metal welding, an OV/P100 combination cartridge covers the metal oxide particulate and the potential organic vapor component. The North 7580P100L OV/P100 cartridge is the most broadly applicable choice for mixed welding operations.
Fit Testing the 760008ASW
The 760008ASW requires the same annual fit testing mandated under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134(f) for all tight-fitting respirators. Workers being fit-tested for the first time should test the small size if their face dimensions fall in the smaller range — do not assume the standard medium/large will fit without testing. Quantitative fit testing (QNFT) using a PortaCount or equivalent instrument is strongly recommended for small-faced workers where the margin between passing fit factor (FF ≥ 2000 for full-face, per OSHA) and failure may be narrower.
Fit testing notes specific to small-size workers:
- The 760008ASW small facepiece is optimized for facial widths and lengths at the lower end of the adult range
- Workers between sizes should test both small and M/L — the goal is highest fit factor, not smallest size
- Corrective lens spectacle inserts compatible with the 7600 Series small facepiece are available for workers requiring prescription eyewear
- The welding shade lens does not interfere with fit testing protocols
OSHA and ANSI Compliance Context
The 760008ASW satisfies OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 when used within a written respiratory protection program that includes hazard assessment, medical evaluation (29 CFR 1910.134(e)), fit testing, training, and maintenance/storage. The integrated welding lens satisfies ANSI Z87.1 requirements for arc flash eye protection when used within the lens's rated shade range. ANSI Z49.1 provides shade recommendations by welding process and amperage — verify your specific welding parameters against the installed shade number.
For complete full-face respirator program support and a broader view of all respirator types, browse the WC Safety catalog. For half-face options used alongside a separate welding helmet, see our half-face respirator collection. Filter and cartridge replenishment is available through our respirator cartridges and filters collection.
Frequently Asked Questions: Honeywell North 760008ASW
Q: How is the 760008ASW different from the 760008AW?
A: The only difference is size — the 760008ASW is small, the 760008AW is medium/large. Both are silicone 7600 Series welding respirators with NIOSH TC-14C approval, APF 50, integrated welding shade lens, and North bayonet cartridge compatibility.
Q: Who typically needs the small-size welding respirator?
A: Workers with smaller facial profiles — many women, younger workers, and men with narrower or shorter faces. The only way to determine correct size is fit testing. OSHA requires employers to provide appropriate-sized respirators, not just the most common size.
Q: Is the cartridge compatibility the same as the M/L 760008AW?
A: Yes. Both models use the North bayonet cartridge interface — all North bayonet cartridges (7580P100L, 75SCP100L, 75FFP100, etc.) are compatible with both the small and M/L facepieces.
Q: What NIOSH approval number applies to the 760008ASW?
A: NIOSH TC-14C. Verify on the NIOSH Certified Equipment List (CEL) at CDC.gov before purchasing for a compliance program.
Q: Can the welding shade lens be replaced with a clear lens?
A: Yes. The 7600 Series outer lens is field-replaceable. Honeywell North offers clear replacement lenses, allowing the facepiece to be repurposed for non-welding tasks where the welding shade is not appropriate.
Q: Is the 760008ASW approved for Cr(VI) protection?
A: With a P100 cartridge installed, the 760008ASW provides NIOSH-approved particulate protection at P100 efficiency (99.97% at 0.3 µm) — which includes hexavalent chromium particles. For Cr(VI) exposures above 50× the PEL, supplied-air respirators are required. Per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1026, employers must use the most protective feasible engineering controls before relying on respiratory protection.
Q: Does the 760008ASW fit women workers?
A: Many women find the small size fits better than medium/large, but face geometry varies — fit testing is the only reliable determination method. Some women fit better in M/L; some men fit better in small. Always fit-test both sizes when near the boundary.
Q: How do I clean and maintain the 760008ASW?
A: After each use, wipe the interior with a mild detergent, rinse thoroughly, and air-dry before storage. Inspect exhalation valve and inhalation valve flaps for debris or cracks. Store in a sealed bag away from UV light, heat, and chemical vapors. Replace any damaged components before the next use.
Q: Can I wear glasses inside the 760008ASW?
A: Standard eyeglasses cannot be worn inside a full-face respirator — the temples break the face seal. Use the Honeywell North spectacle insert kit compatible with the 7600 Series, which mounts corrective lenses inside the facepiece without contacting the seal surface.
Q: Is the 760008ASW suitable for plasma cutting?
A: Plasma cutting generates metal oxide fume, UV radiation, and in some cases nitrogen dioxide and ozone. The 760008ASW with an OV/P100 cartridge addresses the fume hazard. The welding shade lens addresses UV/visible arc radiation. For ozone or NO2 at elevated concentrations, verify the selected cartridge covers those gases. An acid gas/OV/P100 combination (e.g., North 75SCP100L) provides broader coverage for plasma cutting off-gassing.
Q: How does the 760008ASW compare to the 54001SW thermoplastic small welding respirator?
A: The 54001SW is lower cost but uses thermoplastic rather than silicone. In high-heat environments, silicone maintains seal integrity better. For occasional welding in moderate environments, the 54001SW is cost-effective. For daily welding in hot conditions, the 760008ASW is the justified choice.
Q: What is the service life of the 760008ASW facepiece?
A: With proper maintenance, silicone facepieces typically last significantly longer than thermoplastic. The limiting factors are UV degradation, chemical exposure, and physical damage — not inherent material fatigue. Inspect before each use; replace when the facepiece shows cracking, hardening, or distortion of the seal surface.
Q: Where can I find North bayonet cartridges for the 760008ASW?
A: Available at WC Safety's respirator cartridges and filters collection. See our North cartridge guide for welding-specific recommendations and compatibility data.
Q: Is annual fit testing required for the 760008ASW?
A: Yes. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134(f) requires annual fit testing for all tight-fitting respirators. Additional fit testing is required whenever a worker reports that the respirator does not seal, when physical changes affect facial structure (significant weight change, dental work, scarring), or when a different respirator model or size is selected.
Q: Where can I buy the 760008ASW?
A: Available at WC Safety with expert support for program setup, or check Check Price on Amazon → for price comparison. Browse the full full-face respirator collection.
Disclosures & editorial standards
WC Safety participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Outbound Amazon links are affiliate links. We accept no manufacturer payment, sponsorship, or product samples. This content is not medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Safety equipment selection is governed by applicable OSHA standards and your facility's safety program.
WC Safety participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Outbound Amazon links are affiliate links. We accept no manufacturer payment, sponsorship, or product samples. This content is not medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Safety equipment selection is governed by applicable OSHA standards and your facility's safety program.