Introduction

When airborne contaminants in the workplace cannot be controlled by mechanical or natural means, respiratory protection is used to provide a personal form of protection for the worker. The OSHA standard regarding Respiratory Protection Equipment requires employers to develop a written program regarding respiratory protection. Prior to obtaining and using respiratory protection or respirators, several questions must be addressed:

• What are the potential exposures or contaminants?
• What are the actual airborne concentrations of the contaminants?
• Are the employees physically able to wear respirators?
• What type of respirator should be used?
• Are there more dependable/cost effective ways to minimize exposure.

This bulletin will discuss these and other pertinent questions regarding the components of a comprehensive respiratory protection program that will meet OSHA requirements.

Program Elements

A respirator program requires certain elements in a written procedure to govern the selection and use of respirators.

Program elements, for a respiratory protection program must include:

• Hazard Assessment
• Designated Program Administrator
• Medical Surveillance
• Training and Education
• Respirator Selection
• Fitting and Fit Testing
• Respirator Inspection, Maintenance, Storage

Description of Program Elements

Hazard Assessment

Before a respiratory protection program is initiated, an assessment or evaluation of the workplace airborne contaminants should be performed. Depending upon the type of contaminant (particulate, vapor, gas, etc.), the evaluation can be performed using several methods of air monitoring. Knowing the actual concentration of the chemical contaminant will help determine the type of respirator required.

Designated Program Administrator

There should be a person responsible to oversee the respiratory protection program. This person should have the technical and professional background to make judgments based on the hazard evaluation of the workplace. The purchasing of respirators should also be controlled by the administrator. A working knowledge of the OSHA standard is essential.

Medical Surveillance

All personnel that may be assigned to a task where respiratory protection may be required should be medically evaluated. Pre-placement questionnaires and medical evaluations can screen out personnel who are physically or psychologically unfit to wear respirators.

Information on the questionnaire may include:

• History of Respiratory Disease
  • Any asthma, emphysema, or chronic lung disease.
  • Other diseases which may preclude participation in a respiratory protection program.
• Work History
  • Identifies workers with previous exposures (asbestos, silica, heavy metals, etc.)
  • Past problems with respirator use. (dermatitis)
• Additional Medical Information
  • Psychological problems or symptoms including claustrophobia.
  • Medication usage, past and current.
  • Accelerated heart rate may be associated with heat stress.
  • Physical abnormalities that may interfere with respirator usage.

Medical examinations of all respirator users should be done periodically throughout the career of the worker. The frequency of the examinations may depend upon the nature of the chemical contaminant and the age of the worker.

Training and Education

It is critical that both supervisors and workers be included in the selection, use and maintenance of respirators. Since proper respirator use depends on the wearer's motivation, it is important that all aspects of a respirator be fully explained.

Below are some items that should be included in a training program:

• Instruction in the nature of the hazard.
• An explanation on why local exhaust ventilation or other control techniques may not be feasible.
• A discussion on why the respirator type is selected.
• A discussion of the respirators' capabilities and limitations.
• Instruction and training in the actual use of the respirator.
• A discussion of how to recognize and handle emergencies.

The content and frequency of the worker's training depends on the type of respirator (particulate mask versus a self-contained breathing apparatus) being used. The extent of the training for respiratory protection against highly toxic chemicals will be more stringent than for less toxic chemicals. A complete effort must be devoted towards explaining as much as possible about the need and reasons for wearing a respirator. Much of the resistance can be overcome if personnel are given the necessary information regarding the importance of the respirator.

Respirator Selection

Respiratory protective devices vary from the single strapped single use dust mask used to protect against particulates to the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) used in oxygen deficient or immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) atmospheres. In order to select the correct type of respiratory protection, several factors must be considered.

Respiratory selection criteria should include:

• Contaminants and potential contaminant levels.
• General use conditions, including determination of contaminants.
• Physical, chemical and toxicological properties of the contaminant(s).
• Odor threshold data.
• Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL), Threshold Limit Values (TLV) or other applicable exposure criteria.
• Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) concentration.
• Eye irritation potential.
• Any service life information available (for cartridges and canisters).

To assure correct respirator usage, a description of the job task should include type of respiratory protection, process, location, frequency and physical demands.

Fitting and Fit Testing

In order to obtain adequate respiratory protection, there should be a proper match between the respirator and the wearer. To assure selection of the best fitting respirator, the wearer should be fit tested using a quantitative and qualitative fit procedure. A qualitative fit-test relies on the wearer's subjective response in a test atmosphere of isoamylacetate (banana oil), irritant smoke, or saccharin while wearing the respirator. Placing the hands over the cartridges and inhaling can be performed to determine if the respirator provides a proper seal.

A quantitative test involves exposing the respirator wearer to a test atmosphere of a non-toxic test agent. Instrumentation is used to measure the air inside the respirator and can determine any leakage into the respirator.

Respirator Inspection, Maintenance and Storage

Respirators should be randomly inspected frequently to ensure that they are in good operating condition.

Periodic monitoring of respirator use should include:

• Determination that the proper respirators are being used.
• Determination that respirators are being worn properly.
• Consultation with wearers about discomfort, resistance to breathing, fatigue, and any interference with communications or job performance.

A physical inspection of a respirator should be performed prior to use.

Minimum inspection procedures should include:

• Examination of the tightness of the connections.
• A check of the facepiece, valves, connecting tubes, canisters and cartridges.
• A check of the regulation and warning devices on SCBA for proper functioning.

The maintenance of respirators involves using the correct replacement parts. In other words, substitution of parts from a different brand/type of respirator invalidates the certification and compromises the effectiveness of the device. When not in use, respirators should be properly stored. It is recommended that respirators be stored in sealed plastic bags.

Respirators should be stored to protect against:

• Dust
• Sunlight
• Extreme cold
• Excessive moisture
• Damaging chemicals

The manufacturer's instructions should be followed for cleaning and sanitizing respirators. Any good detergent may be used. Cleaner and sanitize solutions that contain a bactericide are recommended.

These products include:

• Quaternary ammonium compounds.
• Hypochlorite solutions (50 parts per million [ppm] of chlorine).
• Aqueous solutions of iodine (50 ppm of iodine).

Summary

The effectiveness of any safety program involves periodic audits or program evaluation. A random check of items for respirator storage, cartridge changes, or respirator cleanliness are parts of periodic surveillance that assures compliance with OSHA regulations.