Standard 29 CFR Part 1910.134

Respiratory Protection

Respiratory protection: Agenda

Today you will be learning about:

•Types of respirators

•How respirators work

•Requirements for using a respirator safely

Respiratory protection: What is it?

• proper hazard evaluation

• training

• medical certification

• employee conformance with rules

Respiratory protection is the use of a respirator to protect against hazardous contaminants in the air. Elements of respiratory protection are:

Hazard determinationWe have evaluated the facility and determined where hazardous concentrations of chemicals may be in the air. We will discuss these areas now.

We periodically re-evaluate contaminant concentrations to verify that our respiratory protection program is still adequate.

Types of respirators

• Atmosphere supplying respirators:-Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)-Airline respirators

• Air purifying respirators (APR)-Cartridge respirators-Dust respirators

• We use APRs because:-Contaminants in our facility have “warning properties” (smell and taste)-Contaminant concentrations are within the operational range for APRs-There are no “immediately dangerous to life or health” concentrations of chemicals

How APRs work

• APRs clean and/or filter the air in the work room-they do not supply any air or oxygen: Never use APRs in a fire, in an oxygen deficient atmosphere or in areas of unknown contaminants or concentrations

• APRs either use a chemical “sorbant” to remove contaminants from the air, or they mechanically filter contaminants from the air

• APRs depend on a tight face to facepiece seal to protect you: you must follow all the rules for wearing your respirator

• When you breath in, the contaminated air is cleaned by the canister, cartridge or filter: the clean air then enters your lungs

APR protection

APRs will protect you from these known chemical forms when the concentration is also known and is within the capability of the respirator:

•Dust (wood, metal, etc.)

•Chemical vapor (solvent vapor, etc.)

•Metal fume (welding or torching metals)

•Mist (droplets of liquid in air)

Cartridge, canister and filter replacement

• Always follow the schedule and procedure for replacing the cartridges, canister and/or filters of your respirator (you may replace the entire respirator if it is a disposable)

• If you ever smell or taste the chemical you are using the respirator to protect against, it indicates that the respirator is not fitted properly or the cartridge, canister or filter must be replaced

• If the respirator becomes difficult to breath through it could also indicate that a change is necessary

• If the canister or cartridge is equipped with an end of service life indicator (ESLI): Pay attention to it!

Medical requirements

• Respirators can place a burden on your body and cause physical problems in some people

• Prior to being assigned to a job where you are required to use a respirator, you must be medically certified through a special questionnaire and/or through a medical evaluation (at no cost to you)

• Periodic medical re-evaluations will be required. The health care provider will decide what schedule is appropriate

• Do not use a respirator until you are cleared by the health care provider

• You are not allowed to have any facial hair or facial characteristic that interferes with the sealing surface of the respirator

Fit Testing

• Before using a respirator you will be fit tested. Fit testing will either be:

-Quantitative (using a machine)

-Qualitative (using Bitrex, saccharine, or irritant smoke)

• If your respirator is fit tested using a Qualitative procedure: BE HONEST regarding what you smell or taste

• Only wear the brand, style and size of respirator that you were fit tested for

• Fit testing is repeated annually

User requirements

• Always inspect before each use: do not use the respirator if parts are missing or if there is damage to the unit

• Always double check to be sure that the correct cartridge, canister or filter is in place and that it has not past its’ life span

• Always perform a positive and/or negative pressure user seal check prior to each use

• Clean or discard the respirator according to manufacturer instructions

• Always store the respirator in a clean and secure location away from the contaminants: never in the work area

• Do not lend your respirator to others: all users must be trained and authorized for use

• If respirators are shared, clean and sanitize them in between users

Conclusion

• To wear a respirator you must be:-Medically certified-Fit tested-Trained-Free of facial hair and/or facial characteristic that could interfere with the seal of the facepiece

• Only use your respirator to protect against contaminants in known concentration: Never use it in a fire, in an oxygen deficient atmosphere or in areas of unknown contaminants or concentrations

• Only wear the brand, model and size of respirator that you were fit tested for

• Always wear the respirator when and where it is required

For more information

For more information regarding Respiratory Protection, or other safety issues, please contact:

Gregory & Appel InsuranceMike Salazar, Vice President Direct: 317-686-6407Email: msalazar@gregoryappel.com