Safety Tidbit #30 – Do you really need a respirator?

Safety Tidbit #30 – Do you really need a respirator?

I hate going into a workplace, finding workers wearing respirators only to find the program sorely lacking.  A respirator is a form of personal protective equipment; you know the last line of defense against some dastardly airborne agent of destruction.  However, please keep in mind that a respirator is also a hazard.  It places an increased burden on the respiratory system.

    The respiratory protection standard (1910.134) is quite easy to audit.  We make sure they have a written program [1910.134(c)(1)], medical clearance [1910.134(e)], fit-testing [1910.134(f)], and training [1910.134(k)].  We should also evaluate the storage and care of the respirators [1910.134(h)(1) and (h)(2)].  Sometimes we may even check their filter cartridge change-out schedule when they have organic chemicals as their contaminant.  We may be really exotic and validate their breathing air [1910.134(i)(1)(i)] when they use supplied-air respirators.

Or, did we even think to consult the views of worker required to use respirators? [1910.134(l)(2)] We need to ask them about the program’s effectiveness, the respirator fit (ability to use the respirator without interfering with effective workplace performance), respirator selection, care, and maintenance.

Sure, we can do an audit and get our number of hazards found during the visit. The Respiratory Protection Standard says that the employer will evaluate the risk to ensure proper selection and level of protection. [1910.134(d)] However, how often do we take a step back and validate the fundamental need for the respirator? Here I quote from the first paragraph of the Standard [1910.134(a)(1)]:

“In the control of those occupational diseases caused by breathing air contaminated with harmful dust, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors, the primary objective shall be to prevent atmospheric contamination. This shall be accomplished as far as feasible by accepted engineering control measures (for example, enclosure or confinement of the operation, general and local ventilation, and substitution of less toxic materials). When effective engineering controls are not feasible, or while they are being instituted, appropriate respirators shall be used pursuant to this section.”

And then the second paragraph speaks to the right respirator:

“A respirator shall be provided to each employee when such equipment is necessary to protect the health of such employee. The employer shall provide the respirators which are applicable and suitable for the purpose intended. The employer shall be responsible for the establishment and maintenance of a respiratory protection program, which shall include the requirements outlined in paragraph (c) of this section. The program shall cover each employee required by this section to use a respirator.”

So, I submit that we must always question the necessity of a respirator, and I close the way I began: respirators are not just personal protective equipment, they are also a hazard. We should not introduce a new risk into the workplace if within our power to prevent it.  Industrial Hygienists, we must always: Anticipate – Identify – Quantify – Control.