Respirators at MITNancy DohertyMIT EHS

Most Importantly…

• Respirators are the LAST LINE OF DEFENSE against chemical hazards.

• We use them only in certain circumstances:– Short term or temporary experiments/processes

where engineering controls aren’t possible– As an added or supplemental control (see this

often with pregnant women)– Emergency conditions

Types of Respirators

Increasing Degree of Protection

Filtering facepiece

Half-Mask APR PAPR

Full-Face APR

SAR

How to Obtain a Respirator from EHS

• Step 1- Medical Evaluation from MIT Medical– Required before initial fit test– Re-evaluation required after time period specified by

practitioner & with any major health status changes– Usually consists of a questionnaire and discussion with

NP/MD

• Step 2 – Complete Exposure Evaluation Questionnaire

Respirators can present a hazard in and of themselves to user. They place a big strain on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

This is why a medical evaluation is necessary.

How to Obtain a Respirator from EHS• Step 3 – Schedule and Complete a Fit Test

– Conducted at N52 EHS Office– Bring completed Exposure Evaluation

Questionnaire• EHS bases respirator type (and cartridges) on info

provided in this document

– Respirator issued and test conducted to ensure it fits user adequately

– Training in respirator use and care provided

How to Obtain a Respirator from EHS

• Step 4: Use Your Respirator and Comply with Recurrent Program Requirements– Come back for annual Fit Test when prompted by

EHS• Email alert

– Return to MIT Medical if…• Prompted by EHS (email again)• Change in health status

But it’s ONLY a dust mask…

• This seems like a lot of work for a little filtering facepiece, doesn’t it?– Mandatory respirator use (to protect against a

known or likely hazard)• All steps we just discussed are REQUIRED• Even for a filtering facepiece

– Voluntary respirator use (as a supplemental control or for comfort)

• Some situations allow for flexibility

Voluntary Respirator Use

• Elastomeric Respirators– Required:

• Medical Exam• Training• EHS must provide copy of OSHA’s

“Appendix D”– Sign & return to EHS

– Not Required:• Fit test

Voluntary Respirator Use• Filtering Facepieces

– Required:• EHS must provide copy of “Appendix D”

– Sign and return to EHS– We acknowledge that this is hard to enforce

– Not Required:• Medical Exam• Fit Test• Training

So this respirator walks into a lab…

• Realistically, many people at MIT probably don’t know that they shouldn’t just go out and buy a respirator– You may find “imposter” respirators in labs during

inspections• How do you know if they are MIT-issued?

– You can often get a good idea just from the respirator brand/model

EHS Usually Issues…

• MSA – Comfo Classic, Comfo Elite, or UltraTwin models

If you see…

IMPOSTERS!!**(likely)

How Can You Help?• If you suspect there’s an “imposter”

respirator, find out who it belongs to and ask if they received respirator from EHS

• If not, inform them of proper process & why it’s in place (e.g., EHS might be able to inform you a better way to control hazard, respirators can strain respiratory & cardiovascular systems)

• There is now an inspection finding for an “imposter” respirator

___PPE-3 Respiratory protection not appropriate / maintained / stored properly___PPE-4 Respirators used without EHS evaluation / approval

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?