Respiratory Protection Training
OSHA 29CFR1910.134
Candis Duncan
Who should take this course?
If your workplace has been identified as having potential respiratory
hazard(s) that could result in an employee exposure
•
An employee exposure is an exposure to an airborne
contaminant that would occur if the employee were not using
respiratory protection.
•
What will this course cover?
Respirators protect workers by preventing exposures to harmful
airborne chemicals, dust/particulates, and biological agents from the
air. If a respirator is worn incorrectly, it will not provide adequate
protection to the wearer.
This training will cover:
• Clemson Respiratory Protection Program
• Respirator Selection
• Respiratory Hazards
• Types of Respirators
• Respirator Limitations
• Respirator parts, inspections, seal checks
• Respirator maintenance, storage, and care
• Respirator Filters/Cartridges
• Respirator Protection Factors
• Fit Testing
• Voluntary Use
Clemson Respiratory Protection Program
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s (OSHA’s)
Respiratory Protection Standard requires that each employer has a
written program which includes:
•
Medical Surveillance to determine if the employee or student is
medically fit to wear a respirator.
•
Annual Training in the proper use (donning and removing),
limitations of the respirator and storage of the respirator selected
for use.
•
Annual Fit testing to determine that the respirator selected for use
fits properly.
Respirator Use
Flow Chart
Yes
Copy of Respirator Selection and Use Worksheet
Respirator Selection and Use Worksheet
Department, Unit:
Responsible Supervisor:
Date Completed:
Name of Person to Contact:
Contact’s Phone and /or E-mail:
RS approval date:
Employee: Complete entry for job, work activity, air contaminant and/or type of respirator used if known. Send completed form to supervisor for approval. Employee should send a copy along
with medical clearance forms to the Occuaptional Health Nurse (OHN). The OHN will send completed worksheet to RS if approved.
Job Title
Work Activity
Type of Respirator
Air Purifying
Atmosphere
Air Contaminant
Supplying
Facepiece (neg.
Cartridge/
Type
pressure, 1/2 face, full
specify
Canister
RS Comments
face, PAPR, N-95)
Additional Comments:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Employee Signature*:______________________Date_____________ Approval from Research Safety:___________________________Date_____________
Supervisor Signature:______________________Date_____________ Approval from Occupational Health Nurse:__________________Date_____________
*Employee agrees to allow Occupational Health Nurse to notify Research Safety whether employee is approved to wear respirator.
Clemson University
Research Safety
Why is respiratory protection needed?
To provide the employee with protection from hazardous air
contaminants from a variety of sources such as:
•Dusts
•Aerosols/mists
•Metal fumes
•Vapors
•Gases
•Biological agents
•Oxygen-deficient atmospheres
•
What are respiratory hazards?
Particles such as:
• Dusts
– Fine solid materials that may be caused by milling, sanding,
crushing, or grinding operations. The smaller the dust, the
longer it stays in the air and the easier it is to inhale.
• Mists
– Fine droplets of liquid produced by spraying, mixing, and
cleaning operations.
• Metal Fumes
– Vaporized metals which rapidly cool forming fine particles that
can remain suspended in the air. May occur in high-heat operations
such as welding.
What are the respiratory hazards? (continued)
• Gases
– These substances at ambient pressure and temperature
are in a gaseous state and are sometimes colorless. Gases
can travel far and fast from their source, often undetected.
• Vapors
– Substances which evaporate from liquids or solids.
• Infectious Agents
– Some labs can generate infectious agent aerosols. Infectious agent particles
may include protozoa, fungi, bacteria, viruses, etc.
How do you control respiratory hazards?
The preferred method of controlling respiratory hazards is through
the use of control measures such as engineering controls like
ventilation, enclosures, isolation, or substitution of less toxic
materials.
•
Other methods may include administrative controls or work practice
modifications such as training workers on safe operation procedures,
good house keeping, or rotating employees in and out of exposed
areas
•
When engineering controls and administrative controls do not
provide adequate protection, personal protective equipment such as
respirators may be used to protect the worker.
•
2
Understand the
contaminants’ effect
on workers’
health
1
Identify the
Respiratory
hazards
3
Select the
appropriate
respirator
FOUR STEP
PROCESS
FOR
SELECTION
4
Train in proper
respirator use
and care
The air we breathe
O2
21%
Other
N2
78%
1%
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres
Normal oxygen level in the air is approximately 20.9%.
-
Symptoms of hypoxia may occur at ~16% oxygen.
What may cause oxygen deficient atmospheres?
–
–
–
–
Oxygen can rapidly deplete in poorly ventilated atmospheres
Confined spaces such as in silos or tanks
Oxygen consumption by chemical reactions, welding, or fire
Chemicals may displace oxygen from the air
An air-purifiying respirator will NOT protect you in an oxygen
deficient atmosphere.
Inhalation Toxicology
Acute:
– Immediate response from a single short exposure
• Symptoms include coughing, dizziness, nausea, sneezing, and/or vomiting
• Acute effects may assist in detection of exposure
Chronic
– Delayed response from repeated expsoure to low levels
• May cause decreased lung function, and/or damage to other organs
• Caused by workplace exposure, living environemnt or lifestyle (i.e. diet,
drugs, tobacco)
• A gradual process that may be difficult to detect
Respirator Selection
Respirator Selection
Risks
Oxygen
Deficiency
Self Contained
Device
Gaseous
Motorized
Elements
Respirator
with chemical
Cartridge
Toxic contaminant
No immediate
Danger
to life or
health
Immediately
dangerous to
life or
health
Gaseous and
Particulate
Air line
System
Motorized
Elements
Respirator with
chemical cartridge
with filter for
particulates
Particulate
Air Line
System
Motorized
Elements
Dust/Vapors
Smoke HEPA
Respirators
Self Contained
Device
Air Line
System
Types of Respirators
Air PurifyingRespirators (APR)
– Remove airborne contaminants such as particles, toxic vapors, and/or
gases. They are appropriate for use in environments of low-level
contamination and in environments where there is sufficient oxygen.
– Tight fitting facepieces or coverings produce a protective seal around
the face of the user.
– Air is purified when it passes through a filtering media at the inlet
cover of the facepiece
– Tight fitting facepieces are available in two basic types:
▪ Half Mask
▪ Full Face
Types of Respirators
Air PurifyingRespirators (APR)
– NIOSH-approved particulate filtering facepiece respirators are often called N95
or dust masks. This type of air-purifying respirator protects by filtering particles
out of the air the user is breathing.
– Various types include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
N95 - Filters at least 95% of airborne particles. Not resistant to oil.
Surgical N95 - A NIOSH-approved N95 respirator that has also been cleared by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) as a surgical mask.
N99 - Filters at least 99% of airborne particles. Not resistant to oil.
N100 - Filters at least 99.97% of airborne particles. Not resistant to oil.
R95 - Filters at least 95% of airborne particles. Somewhat resistant to oil.
P95 - Filters at least 95% of airborne particles. Strongly resistant to oil.
P99 - Filters at least 99% of airborne particles. Strongly resistant to oil.
P100 - Filters at least 99.97% of airborne particles. Strongly resistant to oil.
Remember: N- Not resistant to Oil
R – Resistant to Oil
P – Oil Proof
Types of Respirators
Air PurifyingRespirators (APR)
– Powered Air Purifying (PAPR)
• Available in half mask, full facepiece, loose fitting facepiece helmets or
hoods)
Types of Respirators
Atmosphere Supplying
– Supplied air
• Provide clean air from either a portable cylinder or from a remote source
and are used in environments too hazardous for air-purifying respirators.
• Available in half mask, full facepiece, loose fitting facepiece helmets or
hoods)
Types of Respirators
Atmosphere Supplying
– Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SBCA)
Half Mask Respirator Parts
Half Mask Respirators – Uses & Limitations
Reusable Half Mask & Vapor Respirators
– Air Purifying devices that cover your nose, mouth, & chin. May be
used for protection against gases, vapors, or particulates.
– Gas & Vapor Respirators have replaceable cartridges that capture
gases and vapors from the air.
– Half mask respirators will not work if they are not properly fitted to the
wearer’s face. The wear should perform a positive and negative fit
test before entering a hazardous area.
Full Face Respirator Parts
Full Face Respirators – Uses & Limitations
Full Face Respirators
– Air Purifying devices similar to the Half Mask that cover your nose, mouth, &
chin, but with the addition of a facepiece to protect your eyes and face.
– Cartridges contain chemicals to absorb gases and vapors.
– Allows for the reduction of concentration levels of gases, vapors, or particle
hazards. Like the Half Face Respirator, it does not protect against oxygen
deficiency, temperature extremes, or hazards not listed on the cartridge.
Air-line and Self-Contained Respirators – Uses &
Limitations
Air-line and Self-Contained
– Provide additional head, eye, and face protection.
– Air-line respirators will supply you with clean air from a hose.
– SCBA’s allow more mobility.
– Both protect from oxygen deficiency, temperature extremes, and high
concentrations of dusts, fumes, mists, gases, and vapors.
Inspection of Respirators
• Examine the facepiece for excessive dirt, cracks, tears, holes, or
distortion.
•
Check for cracked or broken air-purifying element holder(s),
badly worn threads, or missing gaskets.
• Examine the head straps/harness for breaks, loss of elasticity,
broken or malfunctioning buckles and attachments.
• Remove the exhalation valve cover and examine for foreign
material (detergent, residue, dust particles, hair), cracks, tears, or
distortion. Look for improper insertion of the valve body and
cracks, breaks, or chips in the valve body. Check for missing or
defective valve covers and improper installation of the valve.
Inspection of Respirators
• Examine air-purifying elements for the correct cartridge, canister,
or filter. Look for incorrect installation, loose connections, missing
or worn gaskets, or cross-threading in holder. Verify the shelf-life
date on cartridges/canister and look for cracks or dents on outside
case. Inspect for evidence of prior use of sorbent cartridge
indicated by absence of sealing material, tape, or foil over inlet.
Maintenance, Cleaning, and Storage of Respirators
• Routinely inspect respirator before and after each use, after
cleaning, and after any maintenance.
• Only use manufacturer recommended replacement parts when
needed. Do not combine different manufacturer parts.
• Employees are responsible for their own day to day cleaning and
maintenance of their respirators.
• Respirators must be cleanied and sanitized after each use.
• Remove canisters and discard after use.
• Immerse respirator in a warm solution of a germicidal detergent
and water. Gently wash all areas of the respirator. Non-alcohol
wipes may also be purchased and used for cleaning.
• Rinse, Sanitize, and air dry respirator.
• Store in a plastic bag on a shelf or in a cabinet. Do NOT store by
hanging respirators from head straps/harness.
Do and Don’t
• Don’t wear a respirator unless you are approved and fitted to
wear one.
• Do ensure you are fit tested annually.
– Also, if weight fluctuates or facial/dental alterations occur, a fit test should be
done again to ensure the respirator remains effective.
• Do inspect the respirator before wearing it.
• Do wear the size/model that you were fit tested for.
• Do have a clean shaven face to ensure a good seal.
– Facial hair that lies along the sealing area of the respirator such as beards,
sideburns, or even a few days of growth of stubble, shall not be permitted
because it will prevent a good seal and may cause leakage of the respirator and
cause contaminants to enter your breathing zone.
• Do complete a Negative and Positive Pressure Test each time you
don a respirator.
• Do maintain appropriate sanitation and storage of your respirator.
N95, P99, P100 Particulate Respirators – Donning
Particualte Respirators:
– Slightly bend the nosepiece to form a gentle curve.
– Find the two headbands and separate using your index finger and
thumb.
– Cup the respirator under your chin.
– Pull the upper headbands up over your head and position at the corner
of your head.
– Pull the lower headband and position at the base of your neck
– Conform the nosepiece across the bridge of your nose by firmly
pressing down with your fingers.
– Continue to adjust the respirator and secure the edges until you
acheive a good fit.
– Adjust the respirator as needed during work to ensure a good fit.
N95, P999, P100 Particulate Respirators – Seal
Check
Checking your Seal:
– Place both hands over the respirator, take a quick breath in to
check whether the respirator seals tightly to your face.
– Place both hands completely over the the respirator and
exhale. If you feel leakage, there is not a proper seal.
– If air leaks around the nose, adjust the nosepiece. If air leaks
at the mask edge, adjust the straps along the sides of your
head until a proper seal is achieved.
– If you cannot achieve a proper seal due to air leakage, try a
different size or model.
N95 Particulate Respirators – Doffing
Removing the Respirator:
– Do not touch the front of the respirator; it may be
contaminated.
– Remove by pulling the bottom strap over the back of the head,
followed by the top strap.
– Discard the used respirator.
– Wash your hands.
NIOSH-Certified Respirators
Some disposable masks are not ‘respirators’ at all, since they are
not NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health) certified.
– Do not use these for tasks where a real respirator is needed, it
will not provide the level of protection needed.
Inspection and Assembly for Half or Full Face
Respirator– Example using North ½ Mask Respirator
Donning a Half or Full Face Respirator– Example
using North ½ Mask Respirator
User Seal Checks for a Half or Full Face Respirator–
Example using North ½ Mask Respirator
Respirator Cartridges/Filters
• Filters are an essential component used with negative and positive
pressure air purifying respirators to remove solid or liquid aerosols
(e.g. dusts, fumes, smokes, mists) from the inspired air.
• The requirement to replace a filter is not the same as chemical
cartridges. Filters should be replaced when breathing becomes
labored or as needed for sanitary reasons.
• Mechanical filter elements provide protection against particulate
matter such as dusts, mists, fibers, mold, bacteria, and metal
fumes. This type of element "filters" particulate matter by
physically trapping it in the fibrous filter material.
Respirator Cartridges/Filters
• Filters have different classifications of filter efficiency based on the
NIOSH testing procedures for protection against oil mist.
• P100 filter designation is the primary type of filter used for
protection against dusts, mists, fumes, smokes (any particulates).
It has been tested for a 99.97% filter efficiency when tested
against 0.3 um docytl phthalate (DOP- "oil mist") particles.
• P100 filters are color coded purple/magenta.
Respirator Cartridges/Filters
• High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter means a filter that is at
least 99.97% efficient in removing particles of 0.3 micrometers in
diameter. The equivalent NIOSH 42 CFR 84 particulate filters are
the N100, R100, and P100 filters.
Respirator Cartridges/Filters
A Cartridge is a container with a filter, sorbent, or catalyst, or
combination of these items, which removes specific contaminants from
the air passed through the container. They differ from aerosol filters in
that they use sorbents, generally carbon to remove harmful gasses and
vapors.
• Colors are used for easy identification of respirator cartridges and
filters. The color is based on the type of air contaminant(s) for
which the user will require protection.
Organic Vapors-Black
Acid Gases–White
Organic Vapors/Acid Gases-Yellow
Ammonia/Methylamine-Green
Formaldehyde/Organic Vapor-Olive/Black
Multi-Gas Vapor- Olive
Mercury Vapor/Chlorine Gas- Orange
P100 & HEPA filters-Purple/Magenta
Respirator Cartridges/Filters
• Chemical cartridges are filled with a specially treated activated
carbon with a very high adsorption capacity. Gases and vapors
passing through chemical cartridges are attracted and held to the
surface of the carbon. In the case of acid and alkaline gases, a
chemical reaction and/or absorption occurs. The adsorption
capacity is limited.
• It is important to implement a chemical cartridge change out
schedule. The change schedule described in the plan for canister
and cartridges must be based on objective information or data
(e.g. industrial hygiene air monitoring data) that will ensure that
canisters or cartridges are changed before their end of service
life. The service life of the chemical cartridges will vary.
Respirator Cartridges/Filters
• Changing the cartridges on a regular basis will prevent "breakthrough" and will prevent the wearer from being exposed to air
contaminants as a result of overuse of a saturated chemical
cartridge. When using a respirator for protection for gases and
vapors, if you detect a chemical taste, smell, or irritation, you
should exit to a clean area and replace the cartridges and inspect
the respirator immediately.
Protection Factors
• The amount of protection a respirator can provide is determined
by an Assigned Protection Factor (APF). APF’s are assigned by
OSHA and are legally enforable.
• The higher the concentration of airborne contaminates, the
greater the need for a high APF.
• APF’s are numerical ratings that relay the anticipated protective
ability against a given contaminate. The higher the APR, the
greater protection provided by the respirator.
• A protection factor of 50 means that you can be exposed to an
atmosphere concentration 50 times higher than the PEL
(permissible exposure limit).
Protection Factor = Concentration of Particles Outside Mask
Concentration of Particles Inside Mask
Levels of Protection
Mask types
Air purification
No maintenance
10 x TLV
Low
maintenance 10 x TLV
Air measurements
Continuous flow
Half mask or full
mask
10000 x TLV
Maintenance
required 10 x TLV
Full Mask
Self-contained
100 x TLV
Forced supplied air
1000 x TLV
10,000 x TLV
How to Determine the Protection Level?
• The Occupational Exposure Limit x APF = maximum airborne
contaminate concentration in which the respirator can be used.
• Example: If the established occupational exposure limit for
chemical A is 10ppm (parts per million), a full face respirator with
an APF of 50 can safely be used in airborne concentrations of up
to 500ppm. (10ppm X 50 APF = 500)
Fit Testing
• Employees at Clemson University are required to receive a
quantitative fit test with the respirator that they will be using. The
fit-testing will occur prior to initial use of the respirator, or
whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model, or
make) is used, and at least annually thereafter.
• An additional fit-test is conducted whenever the employee,
supervisor, or Research Safety makes visual observations of
changes in the employee's physical condition that could affect
respirator fit.
• Such conditions include, but are not limited to, facial scarring,
dental changes, cosmetic surgery, or any obvious change in body
weight. The employee may select a different respirator if he/she
does not think the respirator fit is acceptable, even after passing
the test.
Voluntary Use of Respirators
Respirators are an effective method of protection against designated hazards when properly
selected and worn. Respirator use is encouraged, even when exposures are below the
exposure limit, to provide an additional level of comfort and protection for workers. However,
if a respirator is used improperly or not kept clean, the respirator itself can become a hazard
to the worker. Sometimes, workers may wear respirators to avoid exposures to hazards, even
if the amount of hazardous substance does not exceed the limits set by OSHA standards. If
your employer provides respirators for your voluntary use, or if you provide your own
respirator, you need to take certain precautions to be sure that the respirator itself does not
present a hazard.
You should do the following:
1. Read and heed all instructions provided by the manufacturer on use, maintenance, cleaning and
care, and warnings regarding the respirators limitations.
2. Choose respirators certified for use to protect against the contaminant of concern. NIOSH, the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, certifies respirators. A label or statement of certification should appear on the respirator or
respirator packaging. It will tell you what the respirator is designed for and how much it will protect
you.
3. Do not wear your respirator into atmospheres containing contaminants for which your respirator is
not designed to protect against. For example, a respirator designed to filter dust particles will not
protect you against gases, vapors, or very small solid particles of fumes or smoke.
4. Keep track of your respirator so that you do not mistakenly use someone else's respirator.
Contacts
If you have any questions regarding the content of this training or general
questions regarding respirators, please feel free to contact the Research Safety
Industrial Hygiene team.
Anne Kogut | Industrial Hygiene Manager
(352)455-2354 akogut@Clemson.edu
Naomi Kelly | Chemical Hygiene Officer
(864)656-7554 nkelly@Clemson.edu
Candis Duncan | Industrial Hygiene Specialist
(864)656-0989 csdunca@Clemson.edu
Office of Research Safety
114 Long Hall
Clemson, SC 29634-5737
www.clemson.edu/research/safety