American Variseal Corporation
Respiratory Protection Program
General Company Policy
The purpose of this program is to establish that American Variseal is complying with the
Respiratory Protection Standard, Title 29 CFR 1910.134.
This program applies to all work operations at A.M Variseal where employees are required to
wear respiratory protection.
The EHS Coordinator is the program administrator, who has overall responsibility for the
program.
Definitions
Airline Respirators are atmosphere-supplying respirators in which breathing air is delivered
through a supply hose connected to the wearer’s face-piece or enclosure.
Air-purifying Respirators are respirators with an air-purifying filter, cartridge, or canister that
removes specific air contaminants by passing ambient air through the air-purifying element.
End of Service Life Indicator (ESLI) is a system that warns the respirator user that the
absorbing material in an air purifying cartridge or canister is saturated and no longer provides
adequate protection.
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) is an atmosphere that is an immediate threat
to life, would cause irreversible adverse health effects or would impair an individual’s ability to
escape from a dangerous atmosphere.
Negative Pressure Respirator is a respirator that has pressure in the face piece that is lower than
outside air pressure. Breathing resistance is increased.
Oxygen Deficiency occurs when the level of oxygen in breathing air is less than 19.5% by
volume. Oxygen deficiency can occur in confined spaces by displacement of air by other gases
and vapors or due to processes, which consume air such as fire, rusting, aerobic bacteria, etc.
Positive Pressure Respirator is a respirator that has breathing air supplied to the face-piece
creating a slight positive pressure inside the mask. Breathing resistance is minimal.
Pressure Demand Respirator is a positive pressure, atmosphere-supplying respirator that
delivers breathing air to the face-piece when the user inhales.
Qualitative Fit Test is a pass/fail fit test to check respirator fit that relies on the respirator user’s
sensory response to detect a challenge agent.
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Respiratory Protection Program
Quantitative Fit Test is a fit test used to measure respirator fit that uses an instrument to measure
the challenge agent inside and outside the face piece.
Respirator is a device designed to protect the user from inhalation of hazardous atmospheres.
This includes air-purifying respirators (e.g. half-mask with filter cartridges and disposable papertype devices) or air-supplied respirators (e.g. SCBA or airline respirators).
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) is an atmosphere-supplying respirator in which
the user carries the air supply.
Supplied Air Respirator (SAR) is a class of respirators that supplies a respirable atmosphere,
independent of the workplace atmosphere (e.g. SCBA or air-line respirator).
Special Items
Forms
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Medical Examination Questionnaire
Respiratory Protection Medical Evaluation Form
Respirator Fit Test Data Form
Annual Respirator Clearance Questionnaire
Procedure
Program Administrator
The program shall be administered by a suitably trained program administrator. The program
administrator must be knowledgeable of the respiratory hazards at American Variseal, be able to
assess those hazards, and determine if and the level of respiratory protection necessary. The
program administrator shall oversee the program and conduct the required evaluations of the
program effectiveness.
Hazard Assessment
The EHS Coordinator shall determine, using objective data and process or task knowledge, when
respiratory protection is necessary. This evaluation shall include a reasonable estimate of
employee exposures to respiratory hazards and identification of the contaminants chemical state
and physical form. When identification or a reasonable estimation of the employee’s exposure is
uncertain, the atmosphere shall be considered IDLH.
Prior to any employee being assigned respiratory protection or wearing a respirator, the EHS
Coordinator shall determine, based on the information available and work to be performed, the
type of respiratory protection that is necessary. This selection will be based on respiratory
hazards to which the worker is exposed under routine and reasonably foreseeable emergency
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Respiratory Protection Program
situations, workplace, and user factors that affect respirator performance and reliability. Once
the determination that respiratory protection is necessary American Variseal must ensure that the
employee has received and completed:
 A medical evaluation,
 A respirator fit test, and
 Appropriate respiratory protection training.
Hazard Control
Respirators are considered the last line of defense for protecting employee health and should only
be used when control techniques are not feasible or completely successful in reducing personal
exposures to hazardous atmospheres. The following are examples of control techniques that must
be used to reduce airborne contamination as low as practical (listed in order of preference
depending on the nature of the hazard):
Substitution: Replacing hazardous materials with materials with a lower hazard potential (e.g.
substituting a chlorinated solvent with a non-chlorinated solvent).
Local exhaust ventilation: Capturing hazardous materials at the point of generation by means
of exhaust ventilation (e.g. exhaust ventilation hood).
Evaluation for Hazardous Atmospheres
American Variseal has an established EHS Program that provides a number of ways to identify
potential hazardous atmospheres.
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Routine work place inspections are conducted on a periodic basis.
Industrial hygiene air monitoring is conducted to determine where respiratory protection
is required. This monitoring will usually consist of air sampling and analysis. Where air
monitoring is not possible, appropriate calculations will be completed to determine
potential exposure to the respiratory hazard in question.
Chemical Hazard Communication and Respiratory Protection training provides
employees with knowledge about identification and control of respiratory hazards.
Medical Evaluation
Prior to the employee being issued a respirator, or being fit tested, the employee must complete
the questionnaire provided in Appendix C of the OSHA standard or undergo a medical
evaluation to determine the his/her ability to wear a respirator. All medical evaluations must be
provided by a physician or other licensed health care professional (PLHCP) or Health Services.
If the questionnaire is used the employee must be provided with a mechanism to send it to the
PLHCP for confidential review. This may be accomplished by providing the questionnaire to the
employee with a pre-paid, pre-addressed, envelope.
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If the employee gives a positive response to any question among questions 1-8 in Section 2, Part
A of the questionnaire a medical examination is required. If the employee responds negatively to
these questions no examination is required.
The medical questionnaire and examinations shall be administered confidentially during the
employee’s normal working hours or at a time and place convenient to the employee.
The medical questionnaire shall be administered in a manner that ensures the employee
understands its content.
The Human Resources Department will coordinate any needed medical examinations.
The employee will be provided an opportunity to discuss the questionnaire and examination
results with the PLHCP.
Any needed medical examinations will be provided on an annual basis and will be coordinated
through the Human Resources Department.
Examinations will be provided at no cost to the employee and be conducted by:
Arbor Medical Center
303-460-9339
The EHS Coordinator will provide the following information to the PLHCP before the PLHCP
makes a recommendation concerning an employee’s ability to use a respirator.
 The type and weight of the respirator to be used by the employee.
 The duration and frequency of the respirator use.
 The expected physical work effort.
 Additional protective clothing and equipment to be worn.
 Temperature and humidity extremes that may be encountered.
 A copy of this written program and a copy of the OSHA respirator standard.
The PLHCP will provide a written recommendation regarding the employee’s ability to use the
respirator. A follow-up evaluation may be required if an employee gives a response to any
question that may indicate the users inability to safely wear a respirator or whose initial
examination demonstrates the need for a follow-up medical examination.
Respirator Selection
Upon completing the medical examination and acquiring approval for the use of a respirator, an
appropriate respirator shall be selected depending upon the hazards present in the work area. The
type of respiratory protection necessary will be based on the respiratory hazards to which the
employee is exposed. There are two general types of respirators, air-purifying and air-supplied.
Air-purifying respirators filter and/or absorb contaminants from the air, and include half mask,
full face-piece and disposable respirators. Air-supplied respirators supply a respirable
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atmosphere and include SCBAs and air-line respirators. Only NIOSH approved respirators shall
be used and the protective device must be used in compliance with the conditions of its
certification.
Air-purifying respirators shall not be worn for protection against airborne chemicals that have
poor warning properties, low IDLHs, or in an oxygen deficient atmosphere.
Respirators, air-purifying and air-supplied, will not be worn if facial hair comes between the
sealing surface of the face-piece and the face or if facial hair interferes with the valve function.
The respirator will not be worn with any obstructions that may interfere with the seal of the
respirator to the face.
Respirator selection shall be appropriate for the chemical state and physical form of the
contaminant.
For protection against gases and vapors, the Company will provide: supplied air respirators
(SAR) or an air-purifying respirator equipped with an end of service life indicator (ESLI)
cartridge. If the respirator does not have an ESLI, EHS will develop a change schedule for
canisters and cartridges that is based on objective information or data that will ensure that
canisters or cartridges are changed before the end of service life. If no data exists, EHS will limit
cartridge or canister use to completion of task or one shift. Chemical cartridges shall be changed
upon detection of an odor.
For protection against particulate matter, American Variseal will provide SARs or and APR
equipped with HEPA filters. Filters shall be changed if increased breathing resistance is
encountered.
The issuance and use of disposable respirators will only be permitted for protection against nonhazardous or nuisance dust conditions (e.g. mowing grass, sweeping floors).
Respirator Fit Testing
If the physical examination indicates that the employee is fit for respirator use, a fit test shall be
performed utilizing appropriate fit test methodologies. The EHS Coordinator will conduct a
quantitative or qualitative respirator fit test to determine the ability of the individual to obtain a
satisfactory fit. The results of the fit test shall be recorded on the respirator fit test data form.
Initial Fit Testing
Before any employee may be required to wear a respirator, the employee must be fit tested with
the same make, model, style, and size of respirator that will be used. The fit test shall be
conducted using an OSHA accepted fit test protocol (see Appendix A of the OSHA standard).
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If, after passing the fit test, the employee notifies the EHS Coordinator that the fit of the
respirator is unacceptable, the employee shall be given a reasonable opportunity to select a
different respirator face-piece and must be re-tested.
Periodic Fit Testing
Fit testing shall be repeated whenever a different respirator is used and at least annually. Fit
testing shall also be conducted whenever the employee reports, or a nurse, supervisor or program
administrator makes visual observations of changes in the employees’ physical condition that
could affect respirator fit. Such conditions include, but are not limited to, facial scarring, dental
changes, cosmetic surgery, or an obvious change in body weight.
Inspection, Cleaning, Maintenance and Storage
Air-purifying Respirators
Each air-purifying respirator issued will be inspected prior and following each use. All defects
noted shall be reported to the EHS Coordinator. Defective respiratory protection shall not be
used.
Employees shall use only those respirators that are appropriate for the hazards present and they
have been trained to use. Each respirator user will perform a positive-negative pressure fit test to
check for adequate face seal. Conditions that can interfere with the seal include: facial hair,
facial scars, missing dentures, or corrective glasses or other personal protective equipment.
Respirators shall be cleaned and disinfected periodically by the employee to provide sanitary
protection for the wearer. Respirators used by more than one person must be cleaned and
disinfected before being used by different personnel. Respirators maintained for use in
emergencies must be cleaned and disinfected following each use. Respirators can be cleaned in
warm water with a mild cleaner. The use of alcohol for cleaning shall be limited due to alcohol’s
ability to deteriorate face seals with repeated use.
Respirators shall be stored in a bag or appropriate container to protect it from dust, sunlight, heat,
extreme cold, excessive moisture or damaging chemicals. The respirator shall be stored in a
manner that will not distort the original shape of the respirator or the valves.
Respirator Maintenance
Only individuals specifically trained in respiratory protection repair shall repair respiratory
protective equipment. Replacement parts supplied by the manufacturer shall be used to repair
the product.
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Training
Before an employee is assigned a respirator, mandatory training on proper use is required. The
training must be comprehensive, understandable, and recur annually. After completion of the
training the employee must be able to demonstrate knowledge of the following:
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Why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, use, or maintenance can
compromise the protective effect of the respirator.
What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are.
How to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including situations in
which the respirator malfunctions.
How to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check the seals of the respirator.
How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use
of respirators.
The general requirements of the standard.
Required Respiratory Protection
Air-purifying respirators required in the spray booth & blending operations.
Add specifics: make, model, and cartridge type
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EMPLOYEE TRAINING AND INFORMATION
VERIFICATION FORM
(Group Training)
This is to certify that on ____/____/_____ the following employees have been provided
information and training in accordance with the Respiratory Protection Standard regarding the
following subjects:
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General requirements of the respiratory protection standard
Why the respirator is necessary
How improper fit, use, and maintenance can compromise protection
Capabilities and limitations
Use in emergency situations
How to inspect, put on, remove, use, and check the seals on the respirator
Procedures for maintenance and storage
Medical signs and symptoms that may limit effective use
Questions
Employee Name (print)
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Employee Signature
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Department
American Variseal Corporation
Respiratory Protection Program
Instructor_________________
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Date___________
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EMPLOYEE TRAINING AND INFORMATION
VERIFICATION FORM
(New Employee or Individual Training)
This is to certify that on ___/___/___ I have been provided information and training in accordance
with the Respiratory Protection Standard regarding the following subjects:
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General requirements of the respiratory protection standard
Why the respirator is necessary
How improper fit, use, and maintenance can compromise protection
Capabilities and limitations
Use in emergency situations
How to inspect, put on, remove, use, and check the seals on the respirator
Procedures for maintenance and storage
Medical signs and symptoms that may limit effective use
Questions
_______________________________________________________________
Instructor
Date
______________________________
Employee Name (print)
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Employee Signature
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