Respiratory Protection

29 CFR 1910.134,

29 CFR 1926.103,

30 CFR Part 11,

and

42 CFR Part 84

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

• Respirators are the least preferred method of worker protection from respiratory hazards.

• Respirators are recommended when: engineering controls are not technically feasible; when controls are being installed or repaired; or when emergency and other temporary situations arise.

What is a Respirator?• Respirators are defined as a device covering

the mouth and nose to prevent the inhalation of toxic substances in the atmosphere.

• Respirators can have two general types of fit:

• tight-fitting—that is, quarter masks, which cover the mouth and nose; and half masks, which cover the face from the hairline to below the chin; and

• loose-fitting, such as hoods, helmets, blouses, or full suits that cover the head completely. (No Fit Testing Required)

I. Air Purifying Respirators (APRs)– remove contaminants from the atmosphere– 1.Particulate Filtering Respirators – 2.Vapor and Gas Removing Respirators – 3. Combination Note: Available in Nonpowered (Negative

Pressure) and Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPR)

II. Atmosphere Supplying (SAR or SCBA)– provides breathable air to the wearer

TWO BASIC TYPES OF TIGHT FITTING RESPIRATORS

LIMITATIONS OF AIR PURIFYING RESPIRATORS

(APR)• DO NOT SUPPLY OXYGEN

(19.5%-23.5%)

EFFECTS OF OXYGEN DEFICIENCY (IN AIR)PERCENT OF

OXYGENPHYSIOLOGICAL REACTION

21-16% NO ABNORMAL REACTION

16-12% LOSS OF PERIPHERAL VISIONRAPID BREATHING/HEART RATEIMPAIRED COORDINATION/ATTENTION/THINKING

12-10% POOR JUDGMENT/COORDINATIONEXCESSIVE FATIGUE/SPARSE BREATHINGPERMANENT HEART DAMAGE

10-06% NAUSEA/LOSS OF MOVEMENTUNCONSCIOUSNESS (FOLLOWED BY DEATH)

BELOW 6 SPASMODIC BREATHINGCONVULSIVE MOVEMENTSDEATH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LIMITATIONS OF AIR PURIFYING RESPIRATORS

(APR)

• NOT TO BE USED IN IDLH ATMOSPHERE

• CONTAMINANT MUST BE KNOWN (concentration and agent)

• DO NOT SUPPLY OXYGEN (19.5%-23.5%)

Air Purifying Respirators

• Protect against?–Gases and Vapors–Particulates

• Must have two straps• Must be marked w/type & efficiency

TYPES OF PARTICULATE FILTER CARTRIDGES

• Mechanical Filter - protection against particulate matter by physically trapping them as air is inhaled.– N - Not Resistant to Oil

• solid and water-based particulates

– R - Resistant to Oil• any particulate contaminated/ if oil then single 8 hr

shift

– P - Oil Proof• any particulate

Efficiency

• What high efficiency filter can be used for a oil containing particulate?

• R-100 or P-100

N N-95 N-99 P-95

R R-95 R-99 P-99

P P-95 P-99 P-100

95 (95%) 99 (99%) 100 (99.7%)

TYPES OF APR• Gas and Vapor

– Chemical Cartridge or Canister – protection against certain gases and vapors

• Combination Respirators

CANISTER OR CARTRIDGE SELECTION

– One type of canister or cartridge will not protect against all chemicals.

– Can be used in layers.– Must use the same brand of canisters or

cartridges as the brand of respirator.– Filters may be combined with canisters

or cartridges to provide additional protection against large particulates.

CANISTER OR CARTRIDGE SELECTION

•Note the expiration date; if none, remove from service after three years storage.

•Note that a canister or cartridge begins working as soon as it is removed from its plastic wrap. Unless resealed, a canister or cartridge should not be used for a period of time one day and saved for the next day, no matter how short a period of time it was used the first work period.

Styles of Respirators• Single use (disposable)

• 1/4 Face Mask• 1/2 Face Mask• Full Face Mask

• Mouthpiece• Powered or nonpowered

• tight fitting• loose fitting/hood• Cartridge vs. Canister

Open SystemsAir Supply Respirators • Should not be used

in IDLH atmospheres

• constant flow- air compressor

• demand flow - compressed air cylinders.

Open SystemsSelf Contain

Breathing Apparatus

• Demand (negative-pressure) type

• Positive Pressure Type – pressure demand

– continuous flow

Escape Masks

• Used only for emergencies

• One time use or rechargeable

Escape Masks

Close Circuit Escape Mask

COMPONENTS OF A RESPIRATORY

PROTECTION PROGRAM• WRITTEN STANDARD OPERATING

PROCEDURES FOR RESPIRATORS– Basic objectives:

• to protect the wearer from safety and health hazards.

• to prevent injury to the wearer from incorrect use and/or malfunction of the respirator.Copies of the program should be available to all employees and a reference copy should be available at each work site.

COMPONENTS OF A RESPIRATORY

PROTECTION PROGRAM• PROPER SELECTION OF

RESPIRATOR• TRAINING OF PERSONNEL ON USE

AND LIMITATIONS• CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE• RESPIRATOR DISTRIBUTION AND

FIT TESTING

PROPER FIT TESTING

• Qualitative - irritant vapor used to find breakthrough

• Quantitative - comparison of potential contaminant in the masks to the outside of the mask.

PROPER FIT TESTING

• Qualitative - irritant vapor used to find breakthrough– most common– easy and inexpensive– use general APF– Cannot use if individual will be

exposed to 10 times the PEL

PROPER FIT TESTING

• Quantitative - comparison of potential contaminant in the masks to the outside of the mask. – more thorough and accurate– more expensive – fit factor

COMPONENTS OF A RESPIRATORY

PROTECTION PROGRAM• MONTHLY INSPECTIONS• PROPER STORAGE• MONITORING FOR WORKER

STRESS• EVALUATION OF RESPIRATORY

PROGRAM COMPLIANCE

COMPONENTS OF A RESPIRATORY

PROTECTION PROGRAM• DETERMINATION OF MEDICAL

FITNESS OF POTENTIAL USER• NIOSH/MSHA APPROVED

EQUIPMENT• DETERMINATION OF LEVELS OF

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

Respirator Approval

• According to 30 CFR Part 11, all respirators except particulate respirators must be approved by NIOSH and MSHA

• According 42 CFR 84, non-powered particulate respirators are approved by NOISH only