26 Apr Respirators – Respiratory Protection

Respirators – Respiratory Protection

Respiratory protection helps protect employees from inhaling hazardous airborne contaminants when those hazards cannot be adequately controlled by other means. Respirators must be properly selected, fitted, used, and maintained to provide the intended protection.

When Respirators Are Needed

Employees may be exposed to airborne hazards such as:

• Dusts and particulates.
• Fumes.
• Gases.
• Mists.
• Vapors.
• Sprays.

When respiratory protection is required, employees must follow the company’s written Respiratory Protection Program and use only the respirator approved for the specific hazard and work being performed.

Engineering controls, such as ventilation, enclosure, isolation, or substitution, should be used whenever feasible to eliminate or reduce airborne exposures before relying on respirators.

Voluntary Respirator Use

Different requirements apply when employees voluntarily use respirators in situations where respiratory protection is not required.

When the employer determines that voluntary respirator use will not create a hazard:

• Voluntary use of filtering facepiece respirators, such as disposable N95 respirators, does not require implementation of a complete written respiratory protection program.
• Employees voluntarily using filtering facepiece respirators must be provided the applicable information contained in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134, Appendix D.
• Voluntary use of respirators other than filtering facepieces may require portions of a respiratory protection program, including medical evaluation and procedures for cleaning, storage, and maintenance.

Employees should not independently substitute voluntary respirator use for respiratory protection required by the company.

Medical Evaluation

Before an employee is required to wear a respirator, the employee must receive an appropriate medical evaluation to determine whether they can safely use the respirator.

The medical evaluation must occur before required fit testing or required respirator use.

Employees should notify their supervisor if they experience difficulty breathing, dizziness, chest discomfort, or other problems while wearing a respirator.

Fit Testing

Employees required to use tight-fitting respirators must be fit tested:

• Before initial use.
• Whenever a different respirator facepiece is used.
• At least annually thereafter.
• Whenever physical changes occur that could affect respirator fit.

The fit test must be performed using the same make, model, style, and size of respirator the employee will use.

Fit testing verifies that the respirator can properly fit the employee. It is different from the user seal check performed each time the respirator is put on.

User Seal Check

Every time a tight-fitting respirator is donned, the employee must perform an appropriate user seal check according to the manufacturer’s instructions or an OSHA-accepted procedure.

Depending on the respirator, this may involve a:

• Positive-pressure seal check.
• Negative-pressure seal check.

If leakage is detected, adjust and reposition the respirator and repeat the check.

Never enter a hazardous atmosphere if an acceptable seal cannot be obtained.

Facial Hair and Other Interference

A tight-fitting respirator cannot provide its intended protection if something interferes with the face-to-facepiece seal.

Employees must not wear a tight-fitting respirator when facial hair or another condition:

• Comes between the respirator sealing surface and the face.
• Interferes with respirator valve function.
• Prevents an adequate seal.

Safety glasses, goggles, head coverings, and other PPE must also be worn so they do not interfere with the respirator seal.

Inspect Before Each Use

Inspect the respirator before each use.

Check:

• Facepiece condition.
• Head straps and attachments.
• Inhalation and exhalation valves.
• Filters, cartridges, or canisters.
• Connections and seals.
• Cracks, tears, deterioration, or distortion.
• Other components required by the manufacturer.

Do not use a damaged or defective respirator. Remove it from service and report the problem to your supervisor.

Cleaning, Storage, and Care

Respirators must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.

Employees should:

• Clean and disinfect reusable respirators as required.
• Replace filters and cartridges according to established procedures.
• Keep respirators protected from contamination when not in use.
• Store respirators where they are protected from dust, sunlight, chemicals, moisture, extreme temperatures, and physical damage.
• Store the facepiece so that it does not become distorted.
• Never leave a respirator exposed to jobsite dust or contaminants.
• Never hang or store a respirator in a manner that could damage or deform it.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and company procedures for cleaning, inspection, maintenance, and storage.

Training

Employees must receive appropriate respiratory protection training before required respirator use and at least annually thereafter.

Employees should understand:

• Why the respirator is necessary.
• The hazards against which it provides protection.
• Respirator capabilities and limitations.
• How improper fit or use can reduce protection.
• How to inspect and put on the respirator.
• How to perform a user seal check.
• Proper cleaning, maintenance, and storage.
• How to recognize respirator problems.
• What to do during emergency situations.

Ask your supervisor if you do not understand how to properly use or care for your respirator.

Remember

Respirators protect your lungs only when the correct equipment is selected and it is properly fitted, inspected, worn, and maintained. Never modify a respirator, bypass required procedures, or enter a hazardous atmosphere with a respirator that does not seal properly.

Your respirator can only protect you when you use it correctly—every time.