Safety Tidbit #2.28 – Is that respirator really working?

Safety Tidbit #2.28 – Is that respirator really working?

Sources:          OSHA Respirator Standard 1910.134

In the control of those occupational diseases caused by breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, 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. [1910.134(a)(1)]

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. [1910.134(a)(2)] The program must include the following:

·      Procedures for selecting respirators for use in the workplace

·      Medical evaluations of employees required to use respirators

·      Fit testing procedures for tight-fitting respirators

·      Procedures for proper use of respirators in routine and reasonably foreseeable emergency situations

·      Procedures and schedules for cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, discarding, and otherwise maintaining respirators

·      Procedures to ensure adequate air quality, quantity, and flow of breathing air for atmosphere-supplying respirators

·      Training of employees in the respiratory hazards to which they are potentially exposed during routine and emergency situations

·      Training of employees in the proper use of respirators, including putting on and removing them, any limitations on their use, and their maintenance

·      Procedures for regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the program.

The employer shall select respirators from a sufficient number of respirator models and sizes so that the respirator is acceptable to, and correctly fits, the user. [1910.134(d)(1)(iv)]

[1910.134(g)] requires employers to establish and implement procedures for the proper use of respirators. These requirements include prohibiting conditions that may result in facepiece seal leakage, taking actions to ensure continued effective respirator operation throughout the work shift. For instance, the employer shall not permit respirators usage by employees who have:

·      Facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interferes with valve function; or

·      Any condition that interferes with the face-to-facepiece seal or valve function.

The employer must ensure that employees perform a user seal check each time they put on the respirator. In short, once the employer determines a respirator is needed and requires its use they must ensure the workers use them properly.

My recommendation is that each time you see a respirator being used, ask the user to remove respirator, take a close look at it, then ask them to put it back on and watch what they do. Most simply, ensure the positive and negative fit checks are good or they are out of compliance with the standard and the workers are being exposed to the chemical in question.

Hope this was helpful and thanks for reading my Safety Tidbits ~ Bryan