RESPIRATORY RESPIRATORY PROTECTIONPROTECTION

ByBy

Office of Risk ManagementOffice of Risk Management

Loss Prevention UnitLoss Prevention Unit

Respiratory Protection Respiratory Protection Program Requirements Program Requirements

1.1. Written program--developed & implemented. Written program--developed & implemented.

2.2. Select “respiratory protection” based on Select “respiratory protection” based on hazards involved.hazards involved.

3.3. All employees using “respiratory protection” All employees using “respiratory protection” must be trained.must be trained.

4.4. Employees trained (and required) to clean & Employees trained (and required) to clean & disinfect respirators after use, prior to disinfect respirators after use, prior to storage.storage.

Respiratory Protection Respiratory Protection Program Requirement (cont.)Program Requirement (cont.)

5.5. Employee training in proper storage of Employee training in proper storage of respirators, after use & cleansing.respirators, after use & cleansing.

6.6. Inspection & maintenance of respirators.Inspection & maintenance of respirators.

7.7. Surveillance of worker exposures.Surveillance of worker exposures.

8.8. Regular evaluation of the respirator Regular evaluation of the respirator program.program.

9.9. Medical evaluation of respirator users.Medical evaluation of respirator users.

10.10. Use of approved respiratorsUse of approved respirators..

General Policy on General Policy on Use of Respiratory ProtectionUse of Respiratory Protection

Where engineering or administrative Where engineering or administrative controls are not feasible or are controls are not feasible or are insufficient.insufficient.

During the time engineering or During the time engineering or administrative controls are being administrative controls are being implemented.implemented.

In emergency response situations.In emergency response situations.

Types of RespiratorsTypes of Respirators

Respirators may be either of two types…Respirators may be either of two types…

1. Air-purifying (filter) respirators:1. Air-purifying (filter) respirators:

• Filters (for particulate matter)Filters (for particulate matter)

• Cartridges (for gases or vapors - may Cartridges (for gases or vapors - may have filters, too)have filters, too)

• Canisters (used with “gas masks” -- large Canisters (used with “gas masks” -- large capacity)capacity)

Continued…Continued…

Types of Respirators…Types of Respirators…

2. Atmosphere supplying 2. Atmosphere supplying respirators:respirators:

• Self-Contained Breathing Self-Contained Breathing apparatus (apparatus (SCBASCBA))

• Supplied air respirators (Supplied air respirators (SARSAR))

• Combinations of Combinations of SCBA’sSCBA’s and and SAR’sSAR’s

Filter TypesFilter Types

3 levels of filter efficiency:3 levels of filter efficiency:

• 95%95% (also referred to as “95”) (also referred to as “95”)• 99%99% (also referred to as “99”) (also referred to as “99”)• 99.97% (also referred to as “100”)99.97% (also referred to as “100”)

3 categories of resistance to filter efficiency 3 categories of resistance to filter efficiency degradation:degradation:

• N N (Not resistant to oil)(Not resistant to oil)• R R (Resistant to oil)(Resistant to oil)• P P (Oil Proof)(Oil Proof)

Selection of N, R, and P-Selection of N, R, and P-Series FiltersSeries Filters

If If no oil particlesno oil particles are present in the are present in the work environment, use a work environment, use a filter of any filter of any seriesseries..

If If oil particles are presentoil particles are present, use , use R- or R- or P-series filterP-series filter..

If If oil particles presentoil particles present & filter is & filter is used used for more than one work shiftfor more than one work shift, use , use only only a P-series filtera P-series filter..

ChoiceChoice of facepiece will of facepiece will depend on depend on level of protection neededlevel of protection needed..

Gas and Vapor Removing Gas and Vapor Removing RespiratorsRespirators

Filtering/purifying elements Filtering/purifying elements may be housed in cartridges or may be housed in cartridges or canisterscanisters

Designed for specific Designed for specific contaminants or classes of contaminants or classes of contaminantscontaminants

Service-Life of Cartridges Service-Life of Cartridges or Canistersor Canisters

Depends on:Depends on:

Quality Quality andand quantity of sorbent in quantity of sorbent in the cartridge or canister.the cartridge or canister.

Packing uniformity and density of Packing uniformity and density of the sorbent.the sorbent.

Exposure conditions and breathing Exposure conditions and breathing rate.rate.

Service Life of Cartridges Service Life of Cartridges or Canistersor Canisters

Relative humidity.Relative humidity.

Temperature.Temperature.

Contaminant concentration.Contaminant concentration.

Presence of other gases and Presence of other gases and vapors.vapors.

Air-Purifying RespiratorsAir-Purifying Respirators(lagniappe)…(lagniappe)…

Replace cartridges in accordance Replace cartridges in accordance with the following:with the following:

• Daily or after each use. More often Daily or after each use. More often if odor, taste, or irritation detected if odor, taste, or irritation detected during use.during use.

• As required by service-life As required by service-life indicator, for canisters with indicator, for canisters with “end “end of service-life”of service-life” indicator. indicator.

Colors for Air-Purifying Colors for Air-Purifying Respirator CanistersRespirator Canisters

Colors are used as noted below Colors are used as noted below to indicate the proper use of to indicate the proper use of air-purifying respirator air-purifying respirator canisters:canisters:

Acid GasAcid Gas .. .. .. whitewhite

Organic VaporsOrganic Vapors .. .. .. blackblack

Ammonia GasAmmonia Gas .. .. .. greengreen

Colors for Air-Purifying Colors for Air-Purifying Respirator CanistersRespirator Canisters

Carbon MonoxideCarbon Monoxide .. blueblue

Acid Gases & Organic Acid Gases & Organic VaporsVapors yellowyellow

Acid Gas, Ammonia, & Acid Gas, Ammonia, & Organic VaporsOrganic Vapors .. brownbrown

Radioactive Materials Radioactive Materials purplepurple

Air-Purifying RespiratorsAir-Purifying Respirators(more lagniappe)(more lagniappe)

Cartridges are also available for Cartridges are also available for air-purifying respirators when air-purifying respirators when working with the followingworking with the following::

• PesticidesPesticides

• Carbon MonoxideCarbon Monoxide

• Ethylene OxideEthylene Oxide

• FormaldehydeFormaldehyde

• MercuryMercury

Atmosphere-Supplying Atmosphere-Supplying RespiratorsRespirators

Atmosphere-supplying respirators are of 2 Atmosphere-supplying respirators are of 2 types & sometimes used in combination…types & sometimes used in combination…

Supplied-air respirators (Supplied-air respirators (SARsSARs -- -- sometimes called air-line respirators)sometimes called air-line respirators)

Self-contained breathing apparatus Self-contained breathing apparatus ((SCBASCBA))

Combination Combination SCBASCBA and and SARSAR

..

Self-Contained Breathing Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (Apparatus (SCBASCBA))

• Typically use bottled air from 2000 to Typically use bottled air from 2000 to 4500 psi.4500 psi.

• Typically provides a 15 minute to 60 Typically provides a 15 minute to 60 minute air supply.minute air supply.

• Will supply air in these modes: Will supply air in these modes: Demand, Pressure Demand, or Demand, Pressure Demand, or Continuous Flow.Continuous Flow.

• Can be used in combination with a Can be used in combination with a supplied air respirator.supplied air respirator.

• Escape-only types are available in 5, 7, Escape-only types are available in 5, 7,

10 or 15 minute capacities.10 or 15 minute capacities.

Respirator SelectionRespirator Selection

When selecting a respirator for When selecting a respirator for use, consider the following:use, consider the following:

Routine use vs. non-routine useRoutine use vs. non-routine use

Workplace hazardsWorkplace hazards

Physical characteristics of the userPhysical characteristics of the user

Physical demands of the workPhysical demands of the work

Respirator capabilities and limitationsRespirator capabilities and limitations

Exposure AssessmentsExposure Assessments

Identify airborne contaminants where Identify airborne contaminants where possible.possible.

Consider abnormal conditions that may Consider abnormal conditions that may cause concentrations to rise.cause concentrations to rise.

Think in terms of Think in terms of “worst case”“worst case” exposures. exposures.

Communicate information to employees. Communicate information to employees. Discuss signs & symptoms of overexposure Discuss signs & symptoms of overexposure and appropriate actions to be taken.and appropriate actions to be taken.

Keep accurate records.Keep accurate records.

Non-Routine Use of Non-Routine Use of RespiratorsRespirators

““IDLH”IDLH”Immediately Dangerous to Immediately Dangerous to

Life or HealthLife or Health““...any atmosphere that poses ...any atmosphere that poses

an immediate, an immediate, irreversible irreversible debilitating effect on debilitating effect on health...”health...” (acute effect vs. (acute effect vs. chronic exposure)chronic exposure)

Non-Routine Use of Non-Routine Use of RespiratorsRespirators

3 respirator-use applications 3 respirator-use applications to avoid to avoid IDLHIDLH situations: situations:

1.1. Entry into confined spaces.Entry into confined spaces.

2.2. Entry into oxygen-deficient Entry into oxygen-deficient atmospheres.atmospheres.

3.3. Emergencies.Emergencies.

Immediately Dangerous to Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (Life or Health (IDLHIDLH))

An An IDLHIDLH environment is based on two factors: environment is based on two factors:

1.1. The inability of workers to escape the The inability of workers to escape the environment within 30 minutes WITHOUT losing environment within 30 minutes WITHOUT losing life or suffering permanent health damage; ORlife or suffering permanent health damage; OR

2.2. The inability of workers to escape the The inability of workers to escape the environment WITHOUT severe eye or respiratory environment WITHOUT severe eye or respiratory irritation or other reactions--which could inhibit irritation or other reactions--which could inhibit escape.escape.

Note:Note: If EITHER of these conditions exist and If EITHER of these conditions exist and cannot be cannot be eliminated, the environment will be eliminated, the environment will be considered considered IDLHIDLH..

Respirator Decision LogicRespirator Decision Logic

In any In any IDLHIDLH atmosphere, only 2 types of respirators atmosphere, only 2 types of respirators are acceptable:are acceptable:

1.1. SCBASCBA pressure-demand,pressure-demand, with with >>15 minutes 15 minutes air supply, air supply, ANDAND

2.2. Airline Type C respiratorAirline Type C respirator, either , either pressure-pressure-demanddemand or or continuous flowcontinuous flow mode, with an mode, with an auxiliary escape bottle (minimum air supply auxiliary escape bottle (minimum air supply capacity of 3 minutes)capacity of 3 minutes)

Exception:Exception: In an In an IDLHIDLH atmosphere where low oxygen is the only atmosphere where low oxygen is the only factor causing it to be classified factor causing it to be classified IDLHIDLH, a , a

demand demand (negative pressure)(negative pressure) airline airline respirator may be used.respirator may be used.

Respirator StandardsRespirator Standards

Respirator Respirator testingtesting, , approvalapproval standards: standards:42 CFR 84 (NIOSH)42 CFR 84 (NIOSH)

Respirator Respirator useuse standards: standards: OSHA - 29 CFR 1910.134 (and others)OSHA - 29 CFR 1910.134 (and others) ANSIANSI MSHAMSHA NRCNRC

Respirator Standards Respirator Standards (contd.)(contd.)

The various federal standards The various federal standards require the following of employers:require the following of employers:

Use engineering controls where feasibleUse engineering controls where feasible

Establishment/implementation of a written Establishment/implementation of a written respiratory protection programrespiratory protection program

Work-site specific procedures and elements for Work-site specific procedures and elements for required respirator use AND provision of required respirator use AND provision of respiratorsrespirators

Respirator Standards Respirator Standards (contd.)(contd.)

The various federal standards require The various federal standards require the following of employers (contd.)the following of employers (contd.)

Placement of a program administratorPlacement of a program administrator

Medical evaluations of employees Medical evaluations of employees

Employees fit-tested for respirator useEmployees fit-tested for respirator use

Respirator Standards Respirator Standards (contd.)(contd.)

Procedures must be developed for the Procedures must be developed for the voluntary use of respiratorsvoluntary use of respirators

Employees must be trained in the Employees must be trained in the

selection and use of the appropriate selection and use of the appropriate respirator for the situationrespirator for the situation

Assess exposures (if inassessable, then Assess exposures (if inassessable, then assume that an assume that an IDLHIDLH environment exists) environment exists)

Respirator Standards Respirator Standards (contd.)(contd.)

A sufficient number of respirators must A sufficient number of respirators must be available for employees to select from, be available for employees to select from, so that they are able find one that so that they are able find one that properly fits themproperly fits them

Employees must be properly trained to Employees must be properly trained to change-out respirator cartridgeschange-out respirator cartridges

Respirator Standards – Respirator Standards – Medical EvaluationsMedical Evaluations

Medical evaluations must comply Medical evaluations must comply with the following:with the following:

Must contain a screening questionnaireMust contain a screening questionnaire

Must require a follow-up examination if Must require a follow-up examination if there are any positive answers on the there are any positive answers on the screening questionnairescreening questionnaire

Respirator Standards – Respirator Standards – MedicalMedical Evaluations Evaluations (contd.)(contd.)

Medical evaluations must comply Medical evaluations must comply with the following:with the following:

The employer must supply the physicians The employer must supply the physicians with respirator/work information, a copy with respirator/work information, a copy of the written program, and the of the written program, and the applicable OSHA Respiratory Protection applicable OSHA Respiratory Protection StandardStandard

Respirator Standards – Respirator Standards – Medical Evaluations Medical Evaluations (contd.)(contd.)

Medical evaluations must comply with Medical evaluations must comply with the following:the following:

The employer must supply the employee a The employer must supply the employee a positive-pressurepositive-pressure air-purifying respirator, air-purifying respirator, if a if a negative-pressurenegative-pressure respirator is respirator is unacceptable AND a unacceptable AND a positive-pressurepositive-pressure respirator is acceptable for use in the work respirator is acceptable for use in the work environmentenvironment

Respirator Standards – Respirator Standards – Medical Evaluations Medical Evaluations (contd.)(contd.)……additional medical evaluations are additional medical evaluations are

required when:required when:

A report of related medical signs or A report of related medical signs or symptoms is receivedsymptoms is received

A fit-testing result may require a A fit-testing result may require a reevaluationreevaluation

A change in the workplace increases the A change in the workplace increases the physiological burden on a workerphysiological burden on a worker

Fit TestingFit Testing

Two types of respirator fit-testing:Two types of respirator fit-testing:

1. Qualitative Fit Testing 1. Qualitative Fit Testing (QLFT)(QLFT)Helps employees select the best fittingHelps employees select the best fitting respirator by introducing an irritating respirator by introducing an irritating substance.substance.

Fit Testing (contd.)Fit Testing (contd.)

2. Quantitative Fit Testing (QNFT)2. Quantitative Fit Testing (QNFT)- Requires use of specialized equipment - Requires use of specialized equipment

andand- The wearer performs exercises that - The wearer performs exercises that

could allow leakage.could allow leakage.

User Inspections & Seal User Inspections & Seal ChecksChecks

Prior to using respiratory protection, Prior to using respiratory protection, employees must be trained & employees must be trained & demonstrate proficiency in the demonstrate proficiency in the following:following:

Visual Equipment Inspection (including the Visual Equipment Inspection (including the facepiece, straps, valves, filters, facepiece, straps, valves, filters, cartridges, canisters, air hoses, breathing cartridges, canisters, air hoses, breathing tubes, regulators, connections, and lenses)tubes, regulators, connections, and lenses)

User Inspections & Seal User Inspections & Seal ChecksChecks

Prior to using respiratory protection, Prior to using respiratory protection, employees must be trained & employees must be trained & demonstrate proficiency in the demonstrate proficiency in the following:following:

Positive & Negative ChecksPositive & Negative Checks

Equipment cleaning and disinfectingEquipment cleaning and disinfecting

Equipment storageEquipment storage

Respirator Fit Testing Respirator Fit Testing StandardsStandards

Fit testing must be conducted as Fit testing must be conducted as noted below:noted below:

Except for fit-factor restrictions, Except for fit-factor restrictions, qualitative or quantitative methods may qualitative or quantitative methods may be used for tight-fitting respirators.be used for tight-fitting respirators.

QualitativeQualitative fit testing can only be used fit testing can only be used with fit factors of 100 or less. with fit factors of 100 or less. QuantitativeQuantitative fit testing is required when fit testing is required when the fit factor is greater than 100.the fit factor is greater than 100.

Respirator Fit Testing Respirator Fit Testing StandardsStandards

Fit testing is required:Fit testing is required:

For an employees annual re-fit.For an employees annual re-fit. When their respirator is changed.When their respirator is changed. For atmosphere-supplying respirators in For atmosphere-supplying respirators in

the negative pressure mode.the negative pressure mode.

Respirator Standards Respirator Standards (lagniappe)(lagniappe)Other things to consider…Other things to consider…

An employee shall have An employee shall have NONO facial hairfacial hair that can interfere with the facepiece that can interfere with the facepiece seal.seal.

Cartridge change-outs cannot be based Cartridge change-outs cannot be based solely on odor, smell or tastesolely on odor, smell or taste

Standby personnel, equipped & trained Standby personnel, equipped & trained for rescue operations, must be available for rescue operations, must be available outside outside IDLHIDLH areas. areas.

Respiratory Protection Respiratory Protection ProgramProgram