Look at the men in the masks: Is it Astronaut Training Day at Lakeside Painting? Halloween? Or, are they getting ready for a toxic gas attack in true science fiction fashion? 

None of the above.  It might remind some of our readers of the outfit warn by Marty McFly in “Back to the Future,” but in fact the photos are of our Annual Respirator Training and Fit Test. All employees at Lakeside follow OSHA regulations which clear them to use a chemical respirator. At the Fit Test they are trained in its proper use including: selection, inspection, cleaning and proper fit. The hood is put over their heads, and we then spray some banana scented perfume into the hood. If they smell the bananas it means they did not fit their respirator properly, and our painters must try again until they succeed in securing a proper fit.

This is just one of the many safety measures we utilize to train our employees to protect themselves.