the do’s and don’ts of respiratory protection
DESCRIPTION
The Do’s and Don’ts of Respiratory ProtectionTRANSCRIPT
The Do’s and Don’ts of Respiratory Protection
Mike Rusak
EHS Engineer II
April 10, 2023
Speakers
Becky RossMarketing Manager
Mike RusakEHS Engineer II215-805-6026
PresenterModerator
Questions
• If you have questions during the presentation, please submit them using the “Questions” feature
• Questions will be answered at the end of the webinar
WRITTEN PROGRAMS
WRITTEN PROGRAMS
•DO know when written programs are
needed and not needed
NEEDED
• Respirators required• Elastomeric
respirators are voluntarily worn
NOT NEEDED
• No respirator use
• Voluntary use of filtering facepieces
WRITTEN PROGRAMS
DO know what elastomeric respirators and filtering facepieces are
WRITTEN PROGRAMS
DO ensure you are giving “voluntary wearing respirator” employees a copy of Appendix D
MEDICAL EVALUATIONS
DO NOT allow respirators to be worn before an evaluation is complete– Only exception: a person voluntarily wearing a
filtering facepiece
MEDICAL EVALUATIONS
DO an evaluation for negative and positive pressure respirators
DO consider each type of respirator worn
MEDICAL EVALUATIONS
DO NOT conduct annually
1. Employee reports signs or symptoms related to ability to wear respirator
2. PLHCP, administrator, or supervisor determines it necessary
3. Info from RPP indicates a need
4. Change in workplace conditions substantially increase physiological burden
FIT TESTING
FIT TESTING
DO NOT conduct fit testing before a medical evaluation is completed
DO complete fit testing before the initial use of the respirator
FIT TESTING
DO know that fit testing is required on all tight-fitting respirators; unless voluntarily worn
FIT TESTING
DO NOT conduct fit testing on any loose-fitting respirators
FIT TESTING
DO follow OSHA protocol– Bitrex– Saccharin Solution– Isoamyl acetate (banana oil)– Irritant smoke
• the respirator must be equipped with a HEPA or P100 series filter
DO perform it annually
FACIAL HAIR
FACIAL HAIR
DO not allow tight-fitting facepieces to be worn by employees who have “facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face…”
DO realize that there are options for employees with facial hair– loose-fitting respirators
FACIAL HAIR
DO know that respirators can be worn voluntarily with facial hair as long as the employer determines there is no hazard
FACIAL HAIR
DO NOT allow fit testing to be performed on an employee with facial hair that interferes with the facepiece seal
MAINTENANCE AND CARE
CHANGE OUT SCHEDULES
• DO recognize a need for a change out schedule– Must be based on available
data or information which considers workplace factors such as contaminant concentration, airflow, temperature, and humidity
CLEANING & STORAGE
• DO allow time for the cleaning of the respirator
• DO ensure respirators are stored so they are protected from damage and contamination
TRAINING
TRAINING
DO NOT skimp on training
• Why respirator is necessary
• Limitations and capabilities
• Inspection, donning, and doffing
• Seal checking
• Maintenance and storage procedures
• Recognizing medical signs and symptoms that limit effectiveness
TRAINING
• DO conduct training before respirator is worn
• DO perform training annually– unless change in workplace or
respirator type and/or inadequacies in employee knowledge or use
TRAINING
• DO online respiratory protection training (KPA clients)
RESOURCES
• Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Respiratory Protection Standard
• Q & A on the Respiratory Protection Standard
Got a Question? Ask our Expert!
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