Transcript Standard 29 CFR Part 1910.134

Respiratory Protection
Standard 29 CFR Part 1910.134
Respiratory protection: Agenda
Today you will be learning about:
• Types of respirators
• How respirators work
• Requirements for using a respirator safely
Respiratory protection: What is it?
Respiratory protection is the use of a respirator to
protect against hazardous contaminants in the air.
Elements of respiratory protection are:
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proper hazard
evaluation
training
medical certification
employee conformance
with rules
Hazard determination
We have evaluated the
facility and determined where
hazardous concentrations of
chemicals may be in the air.
We will discuss these areas
now.
We periodically re-evaluate
contaminant concentrations
to verify that our respiratory
protection program is still
adequate.
Types of respirators
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Atmosphere supplying respirators:
-Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
-Airline respirators
Air purifying respirators (APR)
-Cartridge respirators
-Dust respirators
We use APRs because:
-Contaminants in our facility have “warning properties” (smell
and taste)
-Contaminant concentrations are within the operational range for
APRs
-There are no “immediately dangerous to life or health”
concentrations of chemicals
How APRs work
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APRs clean and/or filter the air in the work room-they do not
supply any air or oxygen: Never use APRs in a fire, in an
oxygen deficient atmosphere or in areas of unknown
contaminants or concentrations
APRs either use a chemical “sorbant” to remove contaminants
from the air, or they mechanically filter contaminants from the air
APRs depend on a tight face to facepiece seal to protect you:
you must follow all the rules for wearing your respirator
When you breath in, the contaminated air is cleaned by the
canister, cartridge or filter: the clean air then enters your lungs
APR protection
APRs will protect you from these known chemical forms
when the concentration is also known and is within the
capability of the respirator:
•Dust (wood, metal, etc.)
•Chemical vapor (solvent vapor, etc.)
•Metal fume (welding or torching metals)
•Mist (droplets of liquid in air)
Cartridge, canister and filter replacement
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Always follow the schedule and procedure for replacing the
cartridges, canister and/or filters of your respirator (you may
replace the entire respirator if it is a disposable)
If you ever smell or taste the chemical you are using the
respirator to protect against, it indicates that the respirator is not
fitted properly or the cartridge, canister or filter must be replaced
If the respirator becomes difficult to breath through it could also
indicate that a change is necessary
If the canister or cartridge is equipped with an end of service life
indicator (ESLI): Pay attention to it!
Medical requirements
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Respirators can place a burden on your body and cause
physical problems in some people
Prior to being assigned to a job where you are required to use a
respirator, you must be medically certified through a special
questionnaire and/or through a medical evaluation (at no cost to
you)
Periodic medical re-evaluations will be required. The health care
provider will decide what schedule is appropriate
Do not use a respirator until you are cleared by the health care
provider
You are not allowed to have any facial hair or facial
characteristic that interferes with the sealing surface of the
respirator
Fit Testing
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Before using a respirator you will be fit tested. Fit testing will
either be:
-Quantitative (using a machine)
-Qualitative (using Bitrex, saccharine, or irritant smoke)
If your respirator is fit tested using a Qualitative procedure: BE
HONEST regarding what you smell or taste
Only wear the brand, style and size of respirator that you were fit
tested for
Fit testing is repeated annually
User requirements
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Always inspect before each use: do not use the respirator if
parts are missing or if there is damage to the unit
Always double check to be sure that the correct cartridge,
canister or filter is in place and that it has not past its’ life span
Always perform a positive and/or negative pressure user seal
check prior to each use
Clean or discard the respirator according to manufacturer
instructions
Always store the respirator in a clean and secure location away
from the contaminants: never in the work area
Do not lend your respirator to others: all users must be trained
and authorized for use
If respirators are shared, clean and sanitize them in between
users
Conclusion
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To wear a respirator you must be:
-Medically certified
-Fit tested
-Trained
-Free of facial hair and/or facial characteristic that could interfere
with the seal of the facepiece
Only use your respirator to protect against contaminants in
known concentration: Never use it in a fire, in an oxygen
deficient atmosphere or in areas of unknown contaminants or
concentrations
Only wear the brand, model and size of respirator that you were
fit tested for
Always wear the respirator when and where it is required
For more information
For more information regarding Respiratory Protection, or
other safety issues, please contact:
Gregory & Appel Insurance
Mike Salazar, Vice President
Direct: 317-686-6407
Email: [email protected]