Respiratory Protection
Training
Fort Lewis College
Environmental Health and Safety
1
FLC Respiratory Protection
Program
 Standard
Overview (Program
Elements)
 Donning / Doffing
 Inspection / Cleaning
 Storage
 Uses / Limitations
 OSHA Appendix D
2
Program Elements
 Selection
procedures
 Medical evaluations
 Fit testing procedures for tight-fitting
respirators
 Proper use procedures – routine,
malfunctions, medical-related &
emergency
3
Program Elements
•
•
•
•
Procedures & schedules for
maintenance
Hazards Training - routine &
emergency
Respirator use training
Program auditing
4
Early Practices
 Pliny
(A.D. 23-79) first discussed the
idea of using loose fitting animal
bladders in Roman mines to protect
workers from inhalation of red oxide.
 1814 - particulate removing filter first
introduced
 WWI - chemical warfare, major
improvements developed
5
Training and Information

Employees who are required to use respirators must
be trained such that they can demonstrate knowledge
of at least:
 why the respirator is necessary and how improper
fit, use, or maintenance can compromise its
protective effect
 limitations and capabilities of the respirator
 effective use in emergency situations
 how to inspect, put on and remove, use and check
the seals
 maintenance and storage
 recognition of medical signs and symptoms that
may limit or prevent effective use
 general requirements of this standard
6
Training and Information (cont’d)

Retraining is required annually, and when:




changes in the workplace or type of respirator
render previous training obsolete
there are inadequacies in the employee’s
knowledge or use
any other situation arises in which retraining
appears necessary
The basic advisory information in Appendix D
must be provided to employees who wear
respirators when use is not required by this
standard or by the employer
7
Airborne Hazards
Basic Categories
Dusts - crushing, drilling
Fumes - melting, welding
Mists - finely divided liquids
Gases – H2S, CO, N2
Vapors - solvents
Smoke - carbon and soot particles
Oxygen deficiency - <19.5% O2
8
Selecting a Respirator
 Nature
and extent of hazard
 Physical/chemical properties of
contaminant
 Concentration of contaminants - IDLH,
atmosphere supplying is required.
 Exposure limits (PEL’s)
 Nature of work operation, etc.
 Length of exposure
 Exertion needed to perform tasks
9
Fit Testing
 How
can you prevent exposure
without knowing just how the
respirator will perform?
 Are you willing to take this risk?
 Not everyone has the same facial
characteristics.
 Different types and sizes
10
Respirator Limitations
 Impaired
lung function - medically
unfit
 Uniquely shaped face/facial hair
 Communication problems
 Vision problems
 Fatigue
 Claustrophobic
11
Uses / Limitations
Never use an air purifying respirator:
 in
an OXYGEN deficient atmosphere;
 in an IDLH atmosphere;
 for ABRASIVE BLASTING;
 for FIRE FIGHTING;
 which is NOT APPROVED for the
contaminant of concern;
 with FACIAL HAIR.
12
Fit Testing Procedure
Normal Breathing
Talking
Deep Breathing
Grimace
Head Side to Side
Bend & Touch Toes
Head Up and Down
Normal Breathing
14
Basic Principles/Classifications
Two Basic Classifications:
Air Purifying Respirator – APR
Atmosphere Supplying
Respirators - SCBA’s
15
Air Pressure
 If
pressure within the facepiece is
negative during inhalation with respect
to the outside air pressure, the
respirator is termed a negative
pressure respirator (APR)
 If
pressure within the facepiece is
positive during inhalation with respect
to the outside air pressure, the
respirator is termed a positive pressure
respirator (SCBA’s)
16
Air Purifying Respirators
Three general types of filters:
 Particulate removing
 Vapor and gas removing
 Combination
17
Air Purifying Devices (Continued)
 Full
Face APR - Covers
the entire face with
cartridges attached to
the side.
 Half
Mask APR - Covers
half of the face with the
cartridge being a part of
the mask itself.
18
Air Purifying Devices
 Powered
air purifying respirators - similar to a
normal respirator yet air is forced by a motor
through an appropriate cartridge into the
respirator facepiece.
20
Donning / Doffing
 Inspection
 Adjust
straps, out
 Hook the bottom straps, slightly snug
 Seal face piece
 Hook the top straps, slightly snug
 Adjust straps until they are snug
 Perform user seal checks (+ and -)
21
Respirator Usage
Pitfalls:
 Facepiece seal leakage
 Removing respirator at wrong times
 Not conducting user seal checks
 Not inspecting respirator and
replacing defective parts
22
Face Piece Seal Leakage
Cannot allow face piece compromise:
Facial Hair
Absence of normally worn dentures
Facial deformities - scars, deep skin
creases, prominent cheekbones
Jewelry or headgear that affects the seal
Glasses
23
User Seal Checks
 Also
known as a fit check
 Must be done when donning a
respirator - every time, without
exception
 Seal checks include both positive &
negative checks
24
Positive
Close off the exhalation valve and
exhale gently into the facepiece.
 The fit is considered satisfactory if a
slight positive pressure can be built
up inside the facepiece without
breaking the facepiece seal.

25
Negative
 Close
off the inlet opening by covering it
with the palm of your hand or paperboard.
 Inhale gently so that the facepiece
collapses slightly and hold your breath for
ten seconds.
 If the face piece remains collapsed, the
tightness is considered satisfactory.
 O.K. to use paperboard over filters
26
Maintenance and Care
 Cleaning
and Disinfection
 Proper Storage
 Regular Inspections
 Repair Methods
27
Cleaning and Disinfection
 Cleaning
and sanitizing are required
to prevent skin irritation, dermatitis,
and build up of materials that could
compromise the facepiece seal.
 Respirators will be cleaned and
disinfected after each use
 Individual departments determine
cleaning and disinfectant materials
28
Cleaning
 Dismantle
 Rinse
 Wash
 Dry
 Rinse
 Reassemble
 Drain
 Test
 Sanitize
29
Disassemble for cleaning &
repairing half-face MSA
Air tight seals (2)
Inlet valves (2)
Face piece
Straps (3)
Exhale valve
Exhale valve cover
Cartridges (filters) (2)
31
Storage – Things to Avoid
 Dust
 Heat
 Sunlight
 Extreme
 Damaging
chemicals
cold
 Excessive
moisture
32
Regular Inspections
Examine face piece for:






Dirt
Cracks, tears, holes, distortions
Scratched lenses on full face models
Missing gaskets
Cracked or broken filter element
holders
Any other abnormality
34
Regular Inspections
Examine head strap or harness for:
 Breaks
 Loss of elasticity
 Broken or malfunctioning buckles
 Worn serrations on head harness
on full-face models
35
Regular Inspections
Inhalation and Exhalation Valves:
 Dirt or facial hair on valves
 Cracks, tears or distortion of valves
 Improper positioning of valve (does
not seal as designed)
 Missing or defective valve cover
 Flexible valves
36
Filters
Air-purifying filters:






Correct one for the hazard?
Expired shelf life?
Compound filter needed?
How do you know?
What do you do?
P100, chemical, multiple gas, Hg/Cl2,
etc.
37
Employee Responsibilities
 Safeguard
your respirator
 If
you experience difficulty breathing,
change filter cartridge. If this does not
resolve the immediate problem, contact
your supervisor.
 Report any change in your personal
medical condition to Ginny Newman at the
Student Health Center
38
Program Evaluation
 Evaluations
must be performed regularly
to ensure the written program is being
properly implemented.
 Employees
will be consulted to evaluate
program effectiveness and to identify any
problems. This includes fit, selection, use
and maintenance of respirators.
39
Recordkeeping

Records of medical evaluations must be
retained and made available per 29 CFR
1910.1020
 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
40