This Technical Note provides an introduction to the legislative background to respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and discusses the need for suitable RPE. The terminology used in respirator selection is described along with relevant details of the hazards that RPE can protect against. Emphasis is placed on selecting equipment that is suitable for each situation in which it will be used and for each person who may have to wear the RPE. The range of available RPE is listed together with applications that are likely to be encountered in British forestry. General advice about selecting suitable equipment for each of these situations is provided, although selection must involve an evaluation of the circumstances of each individual situation. Sources of further information are provided.