Respirator use involves
more than donning a face mask

If you work in an area with substantial dust from concrete work or sandblasting, you likely need respiratory protection.

Each worker’s environment is different and the amount of exposure varies. “That means your employer must determine the occupational exposure, then select a respirator based on the contaminant and the exposure level,” says Ingemar Olssen at Dalloz Safety.

Determining the exposure and selecting the respirator is only one component. Under OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.134 standard, employers must write and follow a respiratory protection plan.

Dalloz Safety developed a fact sheet that covers 10 areas employers must include in a respirator program. See the standard for complete information.

1. Develop a procedure to
select a respirator for the workplace.
The employer must evaluate the workplace for respiratory hazards. Is it a confined space? Can you identify the types of hazards, the concentration or reasonable estimate of the hazards? Once you answer these questions, select a respirator based on NIOSH respirator ratings. If there are chemical hazards, the unit must have an end of service life indicator (ESLI); or a supplied-air unit must be used.

2. Conduct medical evaluations.
A physician or licensed health care professional (PLHCP) must perform a medical evaluation of workers, screening for conditions that could limit respirator use. The employer must provide the PLHCP a copy of the written respiratory protection plan. The PLHCP asks questions based on Appendix C of the 29 CFR 1910.134 standard and should order a chest x-ray, tuberculosis test and possibly a pulmonary function test.

3. Conduct fit testing.
Every user must undergo a fit test for every tight-fitting respirator. It must be completed before the first use of the respirator and completed annually thereafter. The fit test must be conducted as outlined in Appendix A of the standard. The fit test must be conducted again if the PLHPC determines there has been a change in the employee’s condition or if the respirator is  unsatisfactory.

4. Assure supplied air quality.
If employees must use a supplied-air respirator, it must meet ANSI/CGA G-7.1989 commodity specifications for U.S.P. compressed or liquid oxygen standards for medical or breathing oxygen. Compressors and pumps must be located away from contaminated air and carbon monoxide must be below 10 PPM levels.

Oil-lubricated compressors must have filters to assure Grade D air and a high-temperature alarm. If the system does not have a carbon monoxide alarm, it must be monitored periodically. Breathing air connections must be incompatible with non-breathing compressed air connections.

5. Teach proper respirator use.
 Any employee who uses a respirator must be trained on its use. Cover why the employee must use the respirator and how improper use or fit can compromise protection. Employees must be retrained at least annually.

The person monitoring the program can order additional training if he or she determines the workplace has changed or if additional training is necessary to ensure proper respirator use.

They must be instructed to leave the contaminated area before removing, adjusting or replacing filters in the unit. They must be monitored to assure they use respirators correctly.

Train how to properly clean, disinfect, store, inspect, repair and maintain the respirator as outlined in the owner’s manual or follow the procedure outlined in the standard’s Appendix B-2.

6. Actual respirator use training.
This should cover proper donning and doffing procedures, the respirator’s capabilities, the changeout schedule for cartridges on cartridge units, how to inspect the unit, maintenance, and storage procedures.

If the employer does not require respirator use, the user must receive basic advisory information found in the 1910.134 standard under Appendix D. It states the user should read and follow use instructions, choose a NIOSH-certified respirator for the contaminant of concern, wear the respirator for protection against contaminants it is designed to handle and to keep track of your respirator so they don’t mistakenly use someone else’s unit.

7. Measure effectiveness.
The employer must make sure the written respirator plan is followed by checking with employees on how they use respirators. The check-up should look at the procedures they follow to assure proper selection, fit, use, and maintenance based on the workplace hazards. The plan must also address record keeping and cartridge, filter and canister identification.

8. Look for the NIOSH label.
Use the NIOSH color code and label system to select the proper respirator. Manufacturers use this system to label components with NIOSH approval information. Make sure the labels stay on the units and are legible.

9. Keep good records.
Track and retain all written information.  Include your respiratory program, medical evaluations and fit testing.

10. Get complete instructions.
These are only the highlights of the training regulations. The actual standard covers all facets of a respirator program; you can download the complete standard at this Web site as a PDF file. Or, talk with your distributor for advice on developing an effective respirator use program.

Published in the September/October 2001 issue of Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine.

back to top