Transcript ONLINE SELF-STUDY - Environment, Health and Safety

ONLINE SELF-STUDY
UNC Respiratory Protection Program for Public
Safety Department
Page Title

Class Objectives
Class Objectives

Introduction to the Respiratory Protection Program

Understand why Respiratory Protective Equipment has been issued to UNCCH Police Officers.
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Be able to discuss the types of chemical inhalation hazards including riot
control agents, CBRN agents, and miscellaneous chemicals used at UNC-CH.
Review biological agents.

Explain the different types of Respiratory Protective Equipment Used.

Review Respirator Use Procedures.

Review Medical Evaluation Procedures.

Understand the purpose of respirator fit-testing

Review Respirator Inspection, Maintenance, and Storage Procedures.
Introduction
Introduction
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH)
Respiratory Protection Program describes written policy and
procedures for the use of respirators to protect the health of
employees in accordance with the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration’s (OSHA) Respiratory Protection
Standard, 29 CFR 1910.134 (General Industry Respirator
Standard).
The purpose of the Respiratory Protection Program is to
prevent occupational illnesses and disease as result
of employee exposure to unsafe levels of airborne hazards in
the occupational setting.
Introduction
The primary means to control occupational exposures caused
by breathing contaminated air is through the use of feasible
engineering controls, such as enclosures, confinement of
operations, ventilation, or substitution of less toxic materials.
When effective engineering controls and other types of
workplace controls (administrative, product substitution, etc.)
are not feasible, or while they are being instituted,
appropriate respirators shall be used. The use of respirators
is the last line of defense.
An effective respirator program is critical for the safe use of
the issued respiratory protective equipment.
Purpose of Respiratory Protection for Public
Safety
Purpose of Respiratory Protection for
Public Safety
Why does Public Safety need a respirator? Some examples include:
 Maintaining the perimeter at “crowd-control” incidents where tear
gas is used
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Terrorism/Chemical/Biological threat incidents (warm & cold zone
requirements);
To prevent exposure to airborne respiratory infectious agents (i.e.
influenza virus)
The following slides explains these examples further.
Purpose of Respiratory Protection for
Public Safety
1) Maintaining the perimeter at “crowd-control”
incidents where tear gas is used:
Crowd Control includes riots, disorders, and violence arising
from dissident gatherings and marches, rock concerts,
political conventions, and personal violence among two or
more persons.
Respirators could be used by officers during the release of
“warning smoke”, “tear-gas,” or other types of riot control
agents when there is a potential for exposure to airborne
forms of these agents such as when encountered when
maintaining crowd control.
Purpose of Respiratory Protection for
Public Safety
An example of an incident which law enforcement
personnel used respiratory protective equipment for
protection against riot control agents was in Seattle, 1999,
during the World Trade Organization protests and
demonstrations.
Police officers used tear gas and other devices to control
crowds of protestors. The following slides were taken on
Wednesday, December 1, 1999 in downtown Seattle, WA.
The following two pages illustrate the demonstrations that
occurred and use of tear gas by Seattle Police Officers to
control the crowds of protestors. The third slide illustrates
riot police in full dress (including gas masks at their sides)
where they arrested hundreds of protestors in Westlake
Park, downtown Seattle.
Purpose of Respiratory Protection for
Public Safety
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Left Picture: The line is drawn at 4th and Pike Street.
Right Picture: Tear gas is launched at 4th and Pike Street.
Purpose of Respiratory Protection for
Public Safety
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Left Picture:
After dark, 4th and Pike Street
Middle Picture: Police Use Teargas Again
Right:
Police occupy 4th and Pike Again
Purpose of Respiratory Protection for
Public Safety
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Left Picture: Riot Control Police at 4th and Pike St, Seattle, Dec 1,
1999.
Right Picture: Police contain and arrest hundreds of protestors in
Westlake Park
Purpose of Respiratory Protection for
Public Safety
2) Terrorism/Chemical/Biological threat incidents:
It is a threat that we hope never happens, but we must be
prepared if an incident does occur. Public Safety may be
in the area of a threat or incident or may be required to help
enforce exclusion/barrier/ security zones once exposure
conditions are understood. Public Safety may also help victims
and the public around the incident area.
The respiratory equipment (gas mask with P100 filter &
chemical cartridge) issued provides protection against gasses,
vapors, and all biological aerosol agents that could potentially
be encountered.
Purpose of Respiratory Protection for
Public Safety
2) Terrorism/Chemical/Biological threat incidents (Continued):
The issued gas mask also provides protection against low level
chemical warfare agents such as nerve and blister agents, but
it is not designed to be used in oxygen deficient atmospheres
or in areas where levels of agents exceed the limitations of the
respirator chemical cartridge and are considered Immediately
Dangerous to Life and Health.
Purpose of Respiratory Protection for Public
Safety
3) To prevent exposure to airborne respiratory infectious agents
(i.e. influenza virus):
In the event of a pandemic influenza outbreak, research
indicates that a N95 filtering face piece respirator is an
adequate form of protection against the inhalation exposure
hazard to the influenza virus due to the respirator’s ability to
filter out very small size particles including the size of viruses.
In addition to your issued disposable N95 respirator, you use a
combination filter/chemical protective cartridge (P/N 817588)
with your MSA gas mask. The prefilter, is a P100 filter, which has
the highest filtering efficiency (99.97% against very small
particles) of all NIOSH approved respirator filters. It is also
protective against respiratory infectious agents.
Review of Airborne Hazards and Chemical
Inhalation Hazards
Review of Airborne Hazards and Chemical
Inhalation Hazards
Airborne hazards which public safety could be potentially exposed
during an incident generally fall into the following basic categories:
 Gases.
Gases are formless fluids that occupy the space or
enclosure and which can be changed to the liquid or solid
state only by the combined effect of increased pressure and
decreased temperature.
 Vapors.
Vapors are the gaseous form of substances that are
normally in the solid or liquid state at room temperature and
pressure.
 Smoke.
Smoke consists of carbon or soot particles resulting
from the incomplete combustion of carbonaceous materials
such as coal or oil. Smoke generally contains droplets as well
as dry particles.
Review of Airborne Hazards and Chemical
Inhalation Hazards
 Dusts.
Particles that are formed or generated from solid
organic or inorganic materials by reducing their size through
mechanical processes such as crushing, grinding, drilling,
abrading, or blasting.
 Fumes.
Particles formed when a volatilized solid, such as a
metal, condenses in cool air. The media usually confuses the
definition of vapor with fume.
 Oxygen
deficiency. The respirators issued to Public Safety
are not protective against oxygen deficient atmospheres.
Only approved air supplying respirators (e.g. SCBA’s such as
used by Fire Fighters) can be used in this type of environment.
Review of Airborne Hazards and Chemical
Inhalation Hazards
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Acute health effects are the negative effects from a substance that
occur after one or multiple exposures in a short period of time. (e.g.
the immediate effects of riot control agents explained on the next
slides)
Chronic health effects are the negative adverse health effects from
a substance that occur over a longer period of time, usually from
repeated exposure of low doses. Sometimes delayed for years.
(Ex. Asbestos exposure)
Review of Chemical Inhalation HazardsRiot Control Agents
Review of Chemical Inhalation HazardsRiot Control Agents
Riot Control Agents: Are compounds that cause temporary
incapacitation by irritation of the eyes and irritation of the upper
respiratory tract.
They are often called irritants, irritating agents, and harassing agents.
The general public usually calls them tear gas.
Review of Chemical Inhalation HazardsRiot Control Agents
When using riot-control agents you could be exposed to different
airborne hazards through breathing fine droplets or particles in the
air, or a combination of forms of agents.
Some of the different riot control chemical types include:
 -CS (Coroson/Stoughton), malenonitrile
 Pepper spray (Capsaicin)
 Oleoresin capsicum, the “active” ingredient of OC tear gas.
 CN (commercial); Mace; chloracetophenone
 -DM (vomiting agent)
Your issued MSA phalanx gas mask is protective against
CN-Mace, CS irritant, and OC tear gas agents.
Review of Chemical Inhalation HazardsRiot Control Agents
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Riot Control Agents Acute Health Effects of Exposure:
Eyes- burning, lacrimation, injection, blepharospasm
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Nose- Burning, rhinorrhea, sneezing
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Mouth- burning of mucosa membranes including palate and tongue.
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Airways- burning, tightness in the chest, coughing
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Skin- Burning, stinging, erythema
Review of Chemical Inhalation HazardsRiot Control Agents
Long-lasting exposure or exposure to a large dose of riot control
agent;
especially in enclosed, unventilated areas can cause severe effects
such as the following:
 Eyes- Blindness, Glaucoma (a serious eye condition that could lead
to blindness).
 Nose- Severe burning
 Mouth- Severe chemical burns to the throat
 Airways- Severe chemical burns to the lungs
 Skin- Severe burns
Review of Chemical Inhalation HazardsRiot Control Agents
Characteristics of Riot Control Agents:
 Usual forms of dispersal and delivery consists of solid primarily
(CS, CN,) and aqueous solution (e.g. CN-Mace).
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Dispersal devices consist of: pressurized canisters (spray devices) &
explosive cartridges (pen guns, shotgun canisters)
Dispersal forms consist of:
-solid suspended in the air (aerosol, smoke).
-solution suspended in the air (true aerosol).
Review of Chemical Inhalation HazardsRiot Control Agents
Degrees of Hotness:
 -Measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU)
 *Green bell pepper – zero
 *Jalapeno pepper – 5,000
 *Pepper Spray – 5000,000 to 2 Million
 *Pure capsaicin – 15 Million
The Scoville Organoleptic Scale was developed by Wilbur Scoville in 1919
as a way to quantify a chile pepper’s heat. Originally, tasters were asked
to judge how many parts of sugar water added to one part of chile essence
were needed to completely erase the chile’s heat.
Now a chemical process called High Performance Liquid Chromatography
(HPLC) measures capsaicin concentrations in chiles, but the Scoville scale is
still very accurate, approx. 16 times the HPLC calculation.
Review of Chemical Inhalation HazardsRiot Control Agents
How can you protect yourself from exposure to riot control
agents?:
 If released outdoors, move away from the area where released.
Avoid dense, low-lying clouds of riot control agent vapor.
 Go to the highest ground possible, because riot control agents will
form a dense cloud that can travel close to the ground.
 If the release of agents was indoors, get out of the building.
 Additional guidance can be found on the Center for Disease Control
website at http://emergency.cdc.gov
Review of Chemical Inhalation Hazards“CBRN” & Toxic Industrial Chemicals
Review of Chemical Inhalation Hazards“CBRN” & Toxic Industrial Chemicals
Classes of Threat Chemicals
CBRN is an acronym for “Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and
Nuclear” usually followed by a word like “agents”, “weapons”, or
“warfare”.
CBRN includes a full spectrum of potential and non-traditional
threats from terrorism including chemical warfare agents and
toxic industrial chemicals.
Review of Chemical Inhalation Hazards“CBRN” & Toxic Industrial Chemicals
What is a Chemical Warfare Agent?
Synthesized substance used to incapacitate, seriously injure,
or kill man as a result of its physiological effects.
 Can be disseminated by a variety of Means: artillery, aircraft, or
by non conventional methods
 Examples include Nerve Agents, Blistering Agents/Vesicants, Blood
Agents.
 Can be disseminated by a variety of Means: artillery, aircraft, or
by non conventional methods
 Can be in form of Gas, Vapor, or Aerosol (droplets)
 Additional guidance on specific types of chemical warfare agents
can be found on the Center for Disease Control website at
http://emergency.cdc.gov
Review of Chemical Inhalation Hazards“CBRN” & Toxic Industrial Chemicals
What is an example of a situation in the past where CBRN agents
were used in terrorism?
 Sarin (Nerve Agent)- On a Monday morning in March 1995, Aum
Shinrikyo cultists released a cloud of impure Sarin gas in a crowded
Tokyo subway. Even in dilute form, the chemical killed 12 and
sickened thousands. Though they posed no threat in the U.S., the cult
had an office in New York City, just a few blocks from the Times
Square subway station.
 Cyanide- A London plot to release cyanide gas on the
Underground tube network was foiled with the arrest of three
reported to have links to Al Quaeda.
Review of Chemical Inhalation Hazards“CBRN” & Toxic Industrial Chemicals
Toxic Industrial Chemicals
Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICs) is a term that refers to
chemical agents that are used in industrial operations
which could be used by terrorists. The intentional use of
TICs could cause not only health effects, but flammable
and explosive hazards.
Some examples of chemicals that are considered TICs
Include Anhydrous Ammonia, Acrylontirile, Propane,
Ethylene Oxide, and Chlorine.
Review of Chemical Inhalation Hazards“CBRN” & Toxic Industrial Chemicals
Toxic Industrial Chemicals
The University uses a variety of chemicals for research
procedures and in industrial work areas for work processes.
There are federal and state regulations (e.g. HAZCOM and
environmental regulations) to ensure that these materials are
properly controlled, inventories of materials are maintained,
and to ensure that employees that work with them
understand the potential hazards and safe use requirements
for these materials.
Review of Chemical Inhalation Hazards“CBRN” & Toxic Industrial Chemicals
Examples of chemicals at UNC
 Ammonium Nitrate
 Fertilizer
 Propane
 Tanks, forklifts
 Acetylene
 Welding
 Bromine
 Water treatment
 Chlorine
 Pools
Review of Chemical Inhalation Hazards“CBRN” & Toxic Industrial Chemicals
Toxic Industrial Chemicals
For more information regarding specific types
of TICs, the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention Website is an excellent resource.
The following link takes you directly to their
Chemical Emergencies Section where you can
obtain more information regarding TICs:
http://emergency.cdc.gov/chemical/
Review of Biological Agents
Review of Biological Agents
What are Biological Agents? Viruses, Bacteria, Fungi,
and biological toxins. Examples of Biological agents that
could be used for terrorism:
-Anthrax,
-Botulism toxin,
-Smallpox,
-Plague,
-Staphylococcal bacteria, etc.
Some agents are contagious, some are not. They require time
after inhaled/ingested to multiply enough to overcome the
body’s defenses. Routes of exposure: inhalation, dermal route,
orally, percutaneously (injected through skin).
Review of Biological Agents
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Bioterrorism: the intentional use of microorganisms, or toxins, derived form
living organisms, to produce death or disease in humans, animals, or
plants.
Bioterrorism- Did you know that the first bioterrorism incident against a
U.S. community occurred in 1984? Oregon’s local heath authoritites
closed down restraunts with salad bars after nearly 400 people became
infected with Salmonella Typhimurium. A total of 751 people were
victims of a bizarre scheme to hold down voter turnout. A religious cult
called the Rajneeshees grew their own bacteria and intentionally
contaminated salad bars.
Anthrax- In October 2001, the testing Lab at For Detrick Maryland,
found that anthrax spores sent to Senator Tom Daschle were extremely
potent. It took months to clear all traces of the weapons –grade anthrax
from the Hart Senate Office Building.
2 postal workers in a mail facility that handled the anthrax-tainted
letters also died.
Types of Respiratory Protective Equipment
Types of Respiratory Protective Equipment
There are two primary types of respirators. They are called airpurifying and atmosphere supplying.
1)
Air-Purifying Respirator (APR): Both Negative & Positive Pressure
Types. Removes contaminants by mechanical removal of particulates
using filters and chemical cartridges used for the removal of gasses &
vapors by adsorption (surface binding). They can’t be worn in
oxygen-deficient or IDLH atmospheres. The air concentration must be
within the maximum use concentration of the respirator.
2)
Atmosphere Supplying: Provides fresh breathing air (“Grade D”
quality) from an external source. Examples of types of supplied air
are Airline respirators, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA),
and Escape only respirators.
Types of Respiratory Protective Equipment
What type of Respirator does Public Safety use?
Air-Purifying Respirator: A respirator with an air-purifying filter,
cartridge, or canister that removes specific air contaminants (such as
gas, vapor, particulate, or combinations) by passing ambient air
through the air-purifying element.
Types of Respiratory Protective Equipment
A Filtering Facepiece Respirator is a particulate respirator with
the entire facepiece composed of the filtering medium. It is protective
against aerosols of very small size which could enter your respiratory
system (less than one micrometer size) such as particles, dusts,
generated from dusty operations and infectious diseases.
The 3M 9211 N95 respirator issued to public safety is also protective against
biological & infectious agent aerosols and viruses such as influenza viruses and
could be used for inhalation protection in the event of an Influenza pandemic
outbreak..
Types of Respiratory Protective Equipment
MSA Phalanx Gas Mask:
Types of Respiratory Protective Equipment
MSA Phalanx Respirator/Gas Mask: The MSA Phalanx
respirator/gas mask that has been issued to you when used with
canister P/N 817589 is also effective against the following
chemical warfare agents: Nerve GA, GB (Sarin), GD, VX, Blister:
mustard and lewisite and ALL Biological Warfare agents.
It is also effective against OC (Oleoresin Capsicum) Riot Control
Agent and HCN (Hydrogen Cyanide), but is not approved nor
has it been tested by the National Institute of Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Types of Respiratory Protective Equipment
MSA Phalanx Respirator/Gas Mask Manufacture Information:
(Please click on link below to pull up Phalanx Gas Mask Specifications)
Types of Respiratory Protective Equipment
MSA Phalanx Respirator/Gas Mask: The respirator canister (cartridge)
is composed of a combination particulate filter (P100 filter) and treated
activated carbon bed. In combination, this cartridge is protective against
aerosols, gasses, and vapors. The issued gas mask is equipped with a
combination filter/and chemical cartridge. The P100 filter has greater filtering
efficiency (99.97%) against aerosols of 0.3 um median diameter size). It has a
higher filter efficiency than the 3M 9211 N95 filtering facepiece.
Types of Respiratory Protective Equipment
Gas Mask Chemical Cartridge/Canister: It is important to implement a
chemical cartridge change out schedule. For Public Safety the change schedule is
to dispose the cartridge and obtain a new one after each response action.
The change schedule will ensure that canisters or cartridges are
changed before their end of service life.
This will help prevent “break-through” of the chemical cartridge 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 gasses 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.
Types of Respiratory Protective Equipment
Atmosphere-Supplying Respirator is a respirator that supplies the user with
breathing air from a source independent of the ambient atmosphere. Types
include supplied-air respirators (SARs) and self-contained breathing apparatus
(SCBA) units.
The types of respirators used by Public Safety are not air-supplying!! They are
air purifying respirators.
Types of Respiratory Protective Equipment
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) is an atmosphere supplying
respirator for which the breathing air source is designed to be carried by the
user. This type of respirator is considered to provide the highest level of
respiratory protection. Pressure-demand types of SCBAs are used for fire
fighting, rescue, emergency response, and other situations.
This respirator is acceptable for oxygen-deficient conditions, and against a wide
variety of contaminants, and for entry into IDLH atmospheres.
Disadvantage is that the work time is limited to amount of air in the external tank
and the extra weight of the tank.
Respirator Use Procedures
Respirator Use Procedures
Respirator Instructions for Use and Care: At this time, ensure that
you read and understand the MSA Phalanx Alpha respirator/ gas
mask manufacture instruction manual. Review and understand the
content which includes:
1)
Instructions for Use and Care
2)
Preparations for Use
3)
Test for Tightness
4)
Replacing the Canister
5)
Using the Inlet Port Plug
6)
Maintenance
7)
Cleaning & Disinfecting
8)
Storage
9)
Other Gas Mask Uses
The following slides will review important content from the Gas Mask
Instruction Manual.
Respirator Use Procedures
Preparations for Use: There are five inspection points, that must be checked
before donning the respirator. Under no circumstances should a respirator
that fails inspection be used. The respirator must be repaired or replaced.
Head harness: Check to see that the head harness straps still have their
elasticity. Inspect for cracks or tears and make sure all buckles are in place
and working properly.
1.
Facepiece: Check facepiece for dirt, debris, cracks, tears or holes.
Inspect the shape of the facepiece for possible distortion that may occur
from improper storage and make sure the rubber is flexible, not stiff.
2.
Respirator Use Procedures
Preparations for Use (Cont’d):
Inhalation and exhalation valves: Check for cracks, tears,
distortion, dirt or build-up of material between valve and the
valve seat.
3.
Facepiece inlet port: Check to make sure the inlet port
threads are free of damage such as crossed threads and that
the canister sealing surface of the facepiece is clean and free
of dirt or other foreign matter. Make sure the inlet port
plugs are in place on the side of the facepiece opposite the
canister.
4.
Respirator Use Procedures
* Note the face piece inlet port on the Left is securely in place;
* Note that on the right side of the illustration the chemical cartridge is securely
fastened and not cross-threaded!!
Respirator Use Procedures
Preparations for Use (Cont’d):
Canister: Make sure the canister is clean. Never try to
clean canister by washing it or using compressed air.
Inspect the canister for dents, scratches or other damage.
5.
Assemble Gas Mask as Follows: Place canister onto inlet
port carefully. Hand tighten by turning clockwise to ensure
a good seal against the gasket or facepiece.
Respirator Use Procedures
Donning the Mask:
1.
Extend all headband straps.
2.
Put your chin in first
3.
Grasp the two side straps in each hand, and pull the harness back
over your head.
4.
To tighten straps, pull straight back, not out.
5.
Adjust straps as necessary to position face piece.
Respirator Use Procedures
Respirator Tightness Test:
The facepiece must be subjected to the following tightness test before each
use. Close off the inlet opening of the canister by covering with the palm
of the hand inhale gently so that the facepiece collapses slightly, and hold the breath
for ten seconds. If the face piece remains in its slightly collapsed condition and no
Inward leakage of air is detected, the tightness of the respirator is considered
satisfactory.
The Face piece must pass the tightness test before the user
should attempt to enter any toxic atmosphere. The mask will
not furnish protection unless all inhaled air is drawn through
the canister.
Safety Issues/Problems with Use of Respirators
Safety Issues/Problems with Use of Respirators
The use of Personal Protective Equipment (including a respirator) can
itself create significant worker hazards such as:
-Heat stress,
- Physical and psychological stress,
- Impaired vision, impaired mobility, and impaired communication.
In general, greater levels of PPE can cause the associated risk to
increase. The next couple of slides addresses specific problems with
the use of a respirator.
Safety Issues/Problems with Use of Respirators
Impaired Vision: Peripheral vision is impaired when using most types
of full face respirators. Dependent on the type of respirator, you can
only see a limited field of view. In addition, certain weather conditions
such as high humidity and cold weather can fog the interior lens of the
respirator which can further impair vision.
Impaired Situational Awareness: With the respirator donned, you
must be cognizant of the surrounding work environment such as
distance away from hazardous equipment, moving objects, potential slip,
trips, and fall hazards, moving vehicles, etc.
Impaired Communication: Is much more difficult. Especially if
using radios or talking to a buddy in PPE with background noise.
Safety Issues/Problems with Use of Respirators
Facial Hair- 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,
which could cause contaminants to enter your breathing zone.
Safety Issues/Problems with Use of Respirators
Heat Stress: In the summer months, this is a major
concern. Ensure everyone is aware of the signs and
symptoms of heat related injuries (e.g. heat rash, heat
exhaustion, & heat stroke).
In addition, a person working in high temperatures is under
increased levels of stress. Wearing a respirator causes
additional stress. Cooling packs are recommended to help
cool responders. They come in different styles by safety
manufacturers.
Safety Issues/Problems with Use of Respirators
Fatigue: has both a physical and psychological effect. During
major response events, 1st Responders and support staff could be
faced with a work schedule where routine meals or breaks are
suddenly interrupted. Work conditions suddenly change from an
office or training environment to real conditions.
Recommendations consist of adequate work/rest cycles;
Use of the buddy system to identify signs of fatigue;
and enforcement of operational periods and fatigue
recommendations in the field.
Medical Evaluation Requirements
Medical Evaluation Requirements
Using a respirator may place a physiological burden, which varies
with type of respirator worn, the job and workplace conditions in
which the respirator is used, and the medical status of the
employee. Potential negative physical demands of wearing a
respirator include:
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Extra strain on the heart
Increased body temperature
Heat Stress
Dehydration
Other ill health effects
Each employee assigned to wear a respirator in carrying out his/her
job responsibilities is to receive a medical evaluation to determine
his/her ability to wear a respirator. The medical evaluation must
be performed to determine the employee’s ability to use a respirator,
before fit testing and use.
Medical Evaluation Requirements
OSHA requires employees to complete a medical questionnaire. At UNCCH this is done at the University Employee Occupational Health
Clinic (UEOHC), 145 N. Medical Drive. The medical staff will
review the medical evaluation and determine the ability of the employee
to wear a respirator.
The UEOHC will provide the employee and their supervisor a written
recommendation if any limitations are needed.
Employees are encouraged to discuss the questionnaire and examination
results with a member of the UEOHC medical staff.
Respirator Fit-Testing Procedures
Respirator Fit-Testing Procedures
Why?
 Performed to make sure the respirator properly fits your facial
structure and to ensure that you know how to properly don the
respirator without assistance.
 OSHA requires prior to initial use, whenever a different respirator
(size, style, model or make) is used and at least annually
thereafter
 Your fit is affected by changes in facial structure due to weight
loss, scarring, surgery, facial hair, etc.
Respirator Maintenance & Storage Requirements
Respirator Maintenance & Storage
Requirements
Inspection
 N95 should be inspected prior to use for rips tears or holes in the
respirator
 Gas Mask should be inspected prior to each use and at least
monthly thereafter.

Check for proper function before and after each use (i.e.
tightness of connections, and the condition varies part including
facepiece, head straps, valves, connecting tube, and cartridges,
canisters or filters, elastic parts for pliability and signs of
deterioration)
Respirator Maintenance & Storage
Requirements
Storage
 Respirators must be protected from damage, contamination, dust,
sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging
chemicals
 Place your respirator in a clean individual bag
 Store masks with the face piece, exhalation valve, and breathing
tubes in a natural, undistorted position
 Face pieces and other parts can be permanently deformed if
they are smashed out of shape during storage. After it’s
deformed, your respirator won’t fit you anymore.
Respirator Maintenance & Storage
Requirements
Repair
 Any defective respirator shall be removed from service, and shall
be adjusted, repaired or discarded and replaced as
appropriate.
Respirator Maintenance & Storage
Requirements
Cleaning and Disinfecting
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Follow Manufacturer instructions!!!
Clean in warm soapy water with disinfectant after each use;
Take care to clean the exhalation valve in the facepiece and all
other parts that exhaled air contacts.
References
1) Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Emergency
Preparedness and Response Website; http://emergency.cdc.gov/
2) History Link, The free encyclopedia of Washington State;
www.historylink.org
3) United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical DefenseField Management of Chemical and Biological Casualty CourseWorkbook.
4) Mine Safety Appliances (MSA) Company Phalanx Riot Control Gas
Mask Instruction Manual
Questions?
Any questions regarding UNC-CH Respiratory
Protection Program, please call:
Phone: 919.962.5507
Web: www.ehs.unc.edu