OutlineOutline

• Classroom – Introduction– Terminology– Respirator Program

• Hands-on – Cleaning– Inspection– Fit testing

Training GoalsTraining Goals

• You should understand the extent of the requirements of a respiratory protection program.

• You should understand the limitations of the program and your respirator.

Permissible PracticesPermissible Practices

• Engineering and administrative controls before respirators.

• Engineering: substitution, minimization, isolation, ventilation controls.

• Administrative: scheduling or rotation of work.

• Maintenance and Research are areas where respirator use is still fairly common.

ExposureExposure

• Exposure is the concentration of air contaminant

According to MSDS for Hydrochloric Acid, recommended Personal Protective Equipment should include:

– Chemical goggles or face shield.

– Chemical resistant gloves. – Clothing, to avoid skin

contact. – Respiratory protection

based on airborne levels of acid vapor.

Exposure Assessment: Exposure Assessment: Hydrochloric AcidHydrochloric Acid

Exposure Assessment: Exposure Assessment: Muriatic AcidMuriatic Acid

According to MSDS for muriatic acid, recommended personal protective equipment should include:

• Chemical goggles or face shield and chemical goggles.

• Chemical resistant gloves• Coveralls, boots, or apron

to avoid skin contact. • Respiratory protection

based on airborne levels of contaminants.

Process SelectionProcess Selection

• Physical Plant’s respirator program has a complete “process selection” chart in your handouts

• Power Plant hasn’t developed such a tool yet.

• Other departments – ?

Exposure AcronymsExposure Acronyms

• PELPEL - Permissible Exposure Limit

• TWATWA - Time Weighted Average

• STELSTEL - Short Term Exposure Limit

• C C - Ceiling Limit

• TLV TLV - Threshold Limit Value

• IDLH IDLH - Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health

• ALAL - Action Level

Explanation of Exposure TermsExplanation of Exposure TermsB

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Exposure ChartExposure ChartS

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Asbestos Exposure LimitsAsbestos Exposure Limits

Types of Respirators: FitTypes of Respirators: Fit

• Tight-fitting• Loose-fitting

Tight fitting respiratorsTight fitting respirators

QuickLatch RespiratorQuickLatch Respirator

• The only respirator with the easy on and off latching system. Just flip the latch and the respirator slides off the face. Close the latch and the respirator slides back into its original fitting position.

Loose-fitting respiratorsLoose-fitting respirators

Classes of Respirators:Classes of Respirators:Positive and Negative PressurePositive and Negative Pressure

• Positive pressurePositive pressure– The sandblasting helmet

system is a positive pressure respirator

• Negative pressureNegative pressure– North 7700 is a negative

pressure respirator– Disposable masks

Positive Pressure RespiratorsPositive Pressure Respirators

• When inhaling, the pressure inside the respirator is kept higher than outside the respirator

Examples: positive pressure respiratorsExamples: positive pressure respirators

• Powered air purifying respirator

Examples: positive pressure respiratorsExamples: positive pressure respirators

Examples: positive pressure respiratorsExamples: positive pressure respirators

• Atmosphere supplying respirator– Supplied air respirators– Self-contained breathing apparatus

Examples: escape-only respiratorsExamples: escape-only respirators

• Can not be used for entry

Negative Pressure RespiratorsNegative Pressure Respirators

• When inhaling, the pressure inside the respirator is less than outside the respirator

Examples: negative pressure respiratorsExamples: negative pressure respirators

• Filtering facepieces or Dust masks

Examples: negative pressure respiratorsExamples: negative pressure respirators

• Use for sensitizers like allergens?

• Immunologic asthma develops after a variable period of time during which "sensitization" to an agent present in the workplace takes place

• If sensitization occurs, it may follow the first exposure, or may not occur until after exposure has continued for a long time.

Voluntary and Mandatory Voluntary and Mandatory

• Dust masks are being used for protection against biological agents such as Anthrax

• Voluntary Use– One page OSHA

mandatory “Voluntary Use” form required

• Mandatory use of dust masks kick in the full respirator requirements

Examples: negative pressure respiratorsExamples: negative pressure respirators

• Air-purifying respirator– North 7700

Negative Pressure Respirators: filtersNegative Pressure Respirators: filters

• Color coded• Made specific for a

single manufacturers line of respirators

Filters used against dust: HEPAFilters used against dust: HEPA

• High Efficiency Particulate Air (magenta ???)

• HEPA-only or combination filter

• Pancake

Filters used against vapors: Filters used against vapors: Cartridges or Canisters Cartridges or Canisters

• Cartridges are the most common type.– OV (black)– OV/AG (bl/yellow)– OV/HEPA– OV/AG/pancake

HEPA

Filters used against vapors: Cartridges or Filters used against vapors: Cartridges or CanistersCanisters

• Photo from cover of Chronicle of Higher Education

Respirators in the NewsRespirators in the News

• Soldiers prepared for chemical warfare during Gulf War

(photo from Science magazine, Feb. 2001)

Service LifeService Life

• End of service life indicators– mercury

• Service life calculations

• Exertion Level• Cartridge Variability• Temperature• Humidity• Multiple Contaminants

Factors that can Reduce Cartridge Factors that can Reduce Cartridge Service LifeService Life

Cartridge Service Life EstimatesCartridge Service Life Estimates

Fit factorsFit factors

• We’ll talk about this at the end, if time permits.

Particulate Respirator

Combination Respirator

Gas & Vapor Respirator

Latex AllergyLatex Allergy

• Latex allergy can result from repeated exposures to proteins in natural rubber latex. Exposure can be due to skin contact with a latex-containing item or inhalation of the proteins. Reactions can range from skin rash to anaphylaxis and shock. Some items that include latex are gloves, medical supplies, respirators, rubber bands, balloons, and baby bottle nipples.

• Respirators are available in rubber and silicone. The silicone masks can be used by those with latex sensitivities