Respiratory Protection. Disclaimer This training material presents very important information. Your...

Respiratory Protection

Disclaimer

• This training material presents very important information.

• Your organization must do an evaluation of all exposures, applicable codes and regulations, and establish proper controls, training, and protective measures to effectively control exposures and assure compliance.

• This program is neither a determination that the conditions and practices of your organization are safe nor a warranty that reliance upon this program will prevent accidents and losses or satisfy local, state or federal regulations.

• All procedures and training, whether required by law or not, should be implemented and reviewed by safety and risk management professionals, and legal counsel to ensure that all local, state and federal requirements are satisfied.

Course Outline – Respiratory Protection

1. Why Take Respiratory Protection Training?

2. When to Use Respirators?

3. Types of Respirators

4. Filter and Cartridges

5. Atmosphere Supplying Respirators

6. Fit Testing

7. Respirator Use

8. Protection Factors

9. Respirator Program

10.Summary

Why Take Respiratory Protection Training?

• Employees wear respirators to protect themselves against the inhalation of harmful air contaminants in the work place.

• Respirators are the last line of defense against airborne contaminants.

• Where possible, engineering, administrative and work practice controls must be used to control or eliminate hazards and minimize employee exposures.

Respirators protect employee health:

Why Take Respiratory Protection Training?

• If the employees know the correct respirator to use for a given situation.

• If the respirators are available when employees need to use them.

• If employees know how to use them.

• If the respirator fits well and has an adequate face to face piece seal (tight fitting respirators)

• If employees properly maintain them and store them per the manufacturer’s specifications.

Respirators are only effective:

When To Use Respirators?

Respirators must be worn:

•Where feasible engineering controls do not adequately remove or control the hazards. Respiratory protection will be used to provide employees with proper protection against those hazards.

•Respiratory protection may also be used while engineering controls are being evaluated or implemented.

Types of Respirators

Respirator type depends on the job and hazard type:

•There are many different types of respirators..

•Only approved respirators can be considered. They must be approved for protection against the specific hazards that are present in the work site.

•Respirators are tested and approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) or the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).

•The entire respirator assembly, including cartridges, filters, and hoses must pass certification tests in order to be approved.


Filtering face piece (dust mask):

•A negative pressure particulate respirator, with a filter as an integral part of the face piece or with the entire face piece composed of the filtering medium.

General Respirator Categories

Negative pressure respirator:

•A respirator where the air pressure inside the face piece is negative during inhalation with respect to the ambient air pressure outside the respirator.


Positive pressure respirator:

•A respirator in which the pressure inside the respiratory inlet covering exceeds the ambient air pressure outside the respirator.

Hood Helmet Loose-Fitting Face

piece


• These do not require a fit test, or the user to be clean shaven.

• They do require an external air source and minimum air flow maintained.

Loose-fitting respirators:

Half mask

Full face piece


Air-purifying respirators seal against the wearer’s face and require fit testing to verify that it is adequately protecting the user. These devices:

•Provide protection against specific contaminants.•Provide a specific level of protection against exposure.•Provide clean or filtered air to the user’s breathing zone.

Air-purifying respirators (APR):


Air purifying respirators-APR:

• Air purifying respirators are stand alone, as opposed to air supplying respirators that are attached to a supplied air source.

• Air purifying respirators (APRs) use a filter (cartridge or canister) to remove specific contaminants from the air.

Contaminants come in either a particulate or chemical form.


Air purifying respirators-APR (continued):

•Respirator filters must match the respirator brand since they are approved as a unit.

•Particulate respirator filters have efficiency ratings:

-“95” means 95% filtering efficiency-“99” means 99% filtering efficiency-“100” means 99.97% filtering efficiency


Don’t use air purifying respirators in these conditions:

•Whenever there are unidentified contaminants or when contaminant concentrations are unknown.

•If contaminant concentrations exceed maximum use concentrations.

•If gases or vapors have poor warning properties.

•In the case of high relative humidity.

•Oxygen deficient: An atmosphere with an oxygen content below 19.5% by volume. Note: Air naturally contains 20.9% Oxygen.

•Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH): An atmosphere that poses an immediate threat to life, would cause irreversible adverse health effects, or would impair an individual’s ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere.


• Use a blower to force the ambient air through air-purifying elements to the inlet covering.

• Are considered to be positive pressure under most operating conditions.

• However, they can be over breathed, potentially making them negatively pressurized for a brief period of time.

Powered air-purifying respirator

(PAPR):


Escape-only respirator:

•Emergency escape respirators are intended to be used only during an emergency to evacuate an area where an unplanned airborne contaminant is present.

•They are not intended to be used on a routine basis.

•They do not require employees to be fit tested.


Atmosphere – supplying respirators:

These supply the user with breathing air from a source independent of the ambient atmosphere.

Two types:

•Supplied-air respirators (SARs)•Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)

Operating elements:

•Continuous Flow: Provides a continuous flow of breathing air to the respiratory inlet covering.•Demand: Admits breathing air to the face piece only when a negative pressure is created inside the face piece by inhalation.•Pressure Demand: Admits breathing air to the face piece when the positive pressure inside the face-piece is reduced by inhalation.

Atmosphere - Supplying Respirators

Air is supplied through a hose to the worker’s face piece.

Atmosphere – supplying respirators (continued):

Typical system components:

•Compressor or Cylinder(s)•Air delivery lines•Air purification system•Reserve air supply•Carbon monoxide filter or alarm for (oil lubricated compressors)

Supplied Air Respirator

(SAR):

•An atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the source of breathing air is not designed to be carried by the user.

•Also called airline respirator, supplied air respirators deliver clean breathing air from outside the work area.

•Also used in IDLH environments and emergency response situations.

Atmosphere – Supplying Respirators

• An atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the breathing air source is designed to be carried by the user.


Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA):

• Supplied Air Respirators require Grade D as the minimum quality air used in supplied air respirator systems in fire fighting, general industry, and hazmat projects.

Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)

(continued):


Grade D Breathing Air Requirements:

Carbon Monoxide (CO) < 10 parts per million

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) < 1000 parts per million

Condensed Hydrocarbons

< 5 milligrams per cubic meter

Noticeable Odors None

The Compressed Gas Association (CGA) standard does not specifically establish a limit for moisture; however, a limit of 66 parts per million is necessary to assure proper function of CO scrubbing devices.

Filters and Cartridges

Particulate air filters:

•High efficiency particulate air filters also known as HEPA filters are at least 99.97% efficient in removing particles that are 0.3 micrometers in diameter and larger.


Particulate air filters (continued):

•95% of all respirators are typically single use disposable respirators.

•HEPA filters are referenced in the standards as N100, R100, or P100.

•N, R, and P are filter performance designations when in contact with oil.

-“N” means NOT recommended for oil mist.-“R” means oil mist RESISTANT (one-time use).-“P” means oil PROOF (reusable)


Canister and filter cartridges:

•A container with a filter, sorbent, or catalyst, or combination of these items.

•Removes specific contaminants from the air passed through the container.

•Many respirator cartridges combine a filter layer with a chemical sorbent layer.

•These types of canisters are typically referred to as “stack” filters.

• Must be labeled and color coded with the NIOSH approval label.

• The label must not be removed and must remain legible.

• The “TC number” is no longer designated on cartridges or filters.


Canister and filter cartridges:


Service life:

•The period of time that a respirator, filter or sorbent, or other respiratory equipment provides adequate protection to the wearer is referred to as it’s service life.

•Particulate filters are typically good until breathing becomes restricted.

•Sorbent materials have several different options for determining useful life. Factors for evaluation of service life include:

– Chemical Warning Properties– Chemical Concentrations– Identity of the Chemical– Temperature and Humidity


Change-out schedules:

•OSHA requires end-of-service life indicators (ESLI) for organic vapor and chemical cartridges. When no ESLI is available, a cartridge change-out schedule must be established and implemented.

•Chemical cartridges tend to become saturated and no longer effective, thus break-through can occur, exposing the respirator user. Where applicable, cartridge change-out schedules will be established.

•Change-out schedules developed using mathematical models, manufacturer's software, calculations, rules of thumb.

Respirator Fit Test

Respirator fit:

•Proper respirator fit depends on the face to face piece seal.

•This can be effected by:– Overall Fit (size and shape of

respirator)– Facial hair– Facial scars– Eye glass temple bars

Respirator Fit Test

Fit testing:

•Prior to fit testing, the subject must be medically approved to wear a respirator.

•Before an employee uses any respirator with a negative or positive pressure tight-fitting face piece, the employee must be fit tested with the same make, model, style, and size of respirator that will be used.

Respirator Fit Test

Fit testing (continued):

•Employees using tight-fitting face piece respirators must pass an appropriate fit test:

There are two types of respirator fit testing:

• Qualitative• Quantitative

•Fit tests must be passed:– Prior to initial use– Whenever a different respirator face piece (size, style,

model or make) is used– At least annually thereafter– Change in facial features that could affect seal.

Respirator Fit Test

Qualitative fit testing (QLFT):

•It is a pass/fail method of testing the respirator-face seal. This is a subjective test in which a test agent is presented and the subject is asked while performing exercises whether they can sense the test agent.

•The OSHA regulations allow qualitative tests only for respirator use in atmospheres where airborne contaminant levels are no more than 10 times the PEL.

• The following methods are allowed by OSHA:– Irritant smoke– Isoamyl acetate (banana oil)– Saccharine Mist– Bitrex

Respirator Fit Test

Quantitative fit test (QNFT):

•This is a more sophisticated method of determining the fit of a respirator. This method is used to measure how well a particular respirator fits an individual.

•An instrument is used to make an assessment of the adequacy of the respirator fit, by numerically measuring the amount of leakage into the respirator.

•The results of these tests are reflected numerically and are called fit factors.

Use of Respirators

Why use a respirator?

•Respirators must be selected and used in accordance with a written Hazard Assessment.

•Respirators must be inspected before each use.

•Inspect your respirator for the following:– Intact and functional straps– No cracks in the face piece– Proper cartridge assembly– Intact, clean and functioning valves– Proper assembly of all parts– Cleanliness– Pliability of the face piece

Use of Respirators

1. Positive pressure check:

•Cover the exhalation valve with the palm of your hand.

•Lightly exhale to create pressure in the mask.

•Check for leaks (air flowing out of the mask). Positive pressure check

Seal checks:

Respirator wearers must perform two types of user seal checks each time the respirator is put on.

Use of Respirators

Seal checks (continued):

2. Negative pressure check:

•Cover the cartridge intakes typically with the palm(s)

•Lightly inhale until the face piece begins to collapse toward the face

•Check for leaks (air flowing into the mask) Negative Pressure Check

If any leaks are detected, adjust the mask and try again, if leaks continue, do not

use!

Use of Respirators

• While using tobacco products.

• While using chewing gum.

• While eating or drinking.

• When facial hair such as beards or mustaches interfere with the seal.

Respirators cannot be used in these

cases:

Use of Respirators

• In the event that they need to wash their face and respirator face piece.

• If they detect contaminants, changes in breathing resistance, or leakage of the face piece.

• To replace the respirator or filter, cartridge, or canister.

Employees must leave the respirator use area:

Use of Respirators

Cleaning of a respirator:

It is necessary to clean the respirator between uses.

Upon removing tight-fitting respirators:

• Remove and discard cartridges, if appropriate.

• Wash hands and face thoroughly.

• Disassemble the respirator and wash all parts thoroughly with soap and warm water.

• Re-assemble and store the respirator properly.

Use of Respirators

• Respirators need to be cleaned before they are placed into storage between usage.

• Precautions must be taken to prevent the contamination of the storage container. This may include covering or removal of filters.

• Reusable respirators must be stored, when not in use, in a sealed container and in a clean and dry location that is located away from chemical use or storage areas.

Cleaning of a respirator (continued):

Use of Respirators

Maintenance of a respirator:

•Replace worn/deteriorated parts as needed.

•Only use parts and cartridges approved for your brand and type of respirator.

•Parts and cartridges are not interchangeable between brands and types.

Use of Respirators

Maintenance of a respirator (continued):

•Maintain appropriate surveillance of work area conditions and degree of exposure or stress.

•Re-evaluate the respirator’s effectiveness when it may be affected by changes in work area or exposure.

•If you detect contaminant breakthrough, changes in breathing resistance, or leakage of the face piece, the respirator must be replaced or repaired before returning to the work area.

•Also, leave the respirator area immediately if you experience dizziness, disorientation, or any other unusual symptom that could indicate possible exposure.

Protection Factors

Assigned protection factors (APFs):

Numbers are assigned to the respirator which reflect the degree of protection offered by its style type.

•APFs are assigned to generic respirator types by NIOSH.

• APFs are used to determine the type of respirator needed to adequately protect workers under various exposure conditions.

• The ”Protection Factor” is valid only if the wearer passes the appropriate type of fit test according to respirator type.

Protection Factors

Assigned protection factors:

Half-mask, air-purifying, with appropriate cartridges: 10

Supplied-air, half-mask, operated in demand mode: 10

Powered air-purifying, loose-fitting hood or helmet: 25

Supplied-air, continuous flow, equipped with hood or helmet: 25

Air-purifying, full face piece, with appropriate cartridge: 50

Powered air-purifying, tight-fitting face piece, with appropriate cartridges:

50

Supplied-air, full face piece, operated in demand mode: 50

Protection Factors

Assigned Protection Factors (continued):

Supplied-air, tight fitting face piece, operated in continuous flow:

50

Self-contained breathing apparatus operated in demand mode:

50

Supplied-air, half-mask, operated in pressure demand: 1,000

Supplied-air, full face piece, operated in pressure demand:

2,000

Self-contained breathing apparatus, pressure demand mode:

10,000

Supplied-air respirator, full face piece, operated in pressure demand mode with an emergency egress bottle:

10,000

Protection Factors

Maximum use concentration (MUC):

• The maximum use concentration of a specific contaminant for which a respirator may be used.

• The MUC is calculated by multiplying the established exposure limit for a specific contaminant (such as an OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit or PEL) by the assigned protection factor of a respirator; or APF x PEL.

• Example: The PEL for benzene is 1 ppm.

Respirator

Protection Factor

Equation

Maximum Use Concentration

Half face 10 1 x 10 10 ppm

Full face 50 1 x 50 50 ppm

PAPR 100 1 x 100 1000 ppm (IDLH)

Respirator Program

A respirator program consists of:

•A written program with worksite-specific procedures is required when respirators are necessary or required by the employer.

•A written program is NOT required if the only respirators that are used are filtering face piece respirators (dust masks) on a voluntary basis.

•The program must be kept up to date to reflect changes in workplace conditions that affect respirator use.

•The program must designate a program administrator who is qualified by appropriate training or experience to administer or oversee the program and conduct the required program evaluations.

•Respirators, training, and medical evaluations must be provided at no cost to the employee as required.

Respirator Program

Voluntary respirator use:

•When only filtering face piece respirators (dust masks) are allowed to be used strictly on a voluntary basis, medical evaluations, fit testing and a written program are not required. However, all employees who voluntarily use dust masks are required to receive Appendix D of the respirator standard either verbally or in written form.

•If respirators other than filtering face piece types are used on a voluntary basis, appropriate elements of a written program are required to be implemented (medical approval, fit testing and Appendix D).

Respirator Program

The elements of a respirator program:The respiratory protection program for “required use” and “tight-fitting” respirators must include and address procedures for:

•Program administration

•Written program availability for each respirator user

•Hazard assessments

•Proper respirator selection

•Standard operating procedures (respirator use)

•Employee training

•Medical evaluations and fit testing

•Program evaluation and record keeping

Respirator Program

Medical evaluations:

•Medical evaluations must be provided to determine the wearer’s ability to use a respirator, before fit testing and use.

• Respirator usage places an additional strain on the heart, lungs, and temperature control of employees.

• A physician or other licensed healthcare professional (PLHCP) needs to perform medical evaluations using a medical questionnaire or an initial medical examination that obtains the same information.

Respirator Program

Medical evaluations:

•The medical review of the questionnaire could result in one of the following:

– Approval for all respirator use

– Approval for limited respirator use

– Recommendation for a particular type of respirator use (e.g., PAPR)

– Request for further medical evaluation (physical exam)

– NO approval for respirator use

Respirator Program

Selection of respirators:

•An appropriate respirator must be selected and provided based on the respiratory hazards to which the worker is exposed considering all user factors that affect respirator performance and reliability. Remember, air-purifying respirators do not provide oxygen!

•Select respirators from a sufficient number of models and sizes so that the respirator is acceptable to, and correctly fits, the user.

Respirator Program

• Select a NIOSH-certified respirator that shall be used in compliance with the conditions of its certification.

• Identify and evaluate the respiratory hazards in the workplace, including worker exposures and identification of the contaminant’s chemical state & physical form.

Selection of respirators (continued):

• Where exposure cannot be identified or reasonably estimated, the atmosphere shall be considered IDLH.

Respirator Program

Program evaluation:

•Evaluations of the workplace must be conducted as necessary (at least annually is required) to ensure the effective implementation of the program.

•Employees that are required to use respirators need to be consulted to assess their views on the program effectiveness and to identify and correct any problems.

Respirator Program

Program evaluation (continued):

•Records of medical evaluations must be retained and made available for the duration of employment plus 30 years.

•A record of fit tests must be established and retained until the next fit test is administered.

•A written copy of the current program must be retained.

•Written materials required to be retained must be made available upon request to affected employees and OSHA.

•Medical records must be maintained for 30 years beyond the last date of employment.

Summary

Summary:

•Respirators are an important element in protecting workers from airborne hazards.• Engineering and

work practice controls must be evaluated to determine if they can reduce employee exposures before placing an employee in a respirator.

Summary

Summary (continued):

•Various respirator types are available for specific contaminants and differing work environments.

•Before an employee can be assigned a respirator they need to be evaluated to determine if they are medically able to wear the respirator safely.

•Employees need to be fit tested to assure that the respirator fits them properly.

•Training for the care, use, and limitations must be provided based on the respirator type and the hazards associated with the usage of the respirator.

Respiratory ProtectionThis form documents that the training specified above was presented to the listed participants. By signing below, each participant acknowledges receiving this training.

Organization: Trainer: Trainer’s Signature:

Class Participants:Name: Signature: Date:

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