An Overview

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

This presentation will cover the following:

When respirators are needed

Types of respirators and their limitations

What you must do when respirators are required

What you must do when respirators are optional (worn voluntarily)

In an oxygen-deficient atmosphere

When chemical “Permissible Exposure Limits” are exceeded

When required by a pesticide label

When you require it by company policy

Normally, an oxygen deficiency will only be found in a confined space or a major chemical leak or spill. Permissible exposure limits are covered in following slides.There are only a few pesticides that have label requirements for respirators. Some employers require their employees to wear respirators as a safety precaution even though they may not be required by Federal and State law.

WHEN RESPIRATORS ARE NEEDED

Oxygen deficiency can occur in confined or enclosed spaces, during fires or large chemical releases.

Normal air contains 21% oxygen. An area with oxygen content below 19.5 % is considered “oxygen deficient”.

Only a supplied air respirator can protect against the effects of oxygen deficiency.

0%19.5%

Oxygen deficiency exists

Oxygen content

21%8%

Immediate death

OXYGEN DEFICIENCY

Most chemicals and dusts have limits in the air that will cause adverse health effects if exceeded.

If airborne levels cannot be reduced below these limits by other means, respirators must be provided to protect exposed employees.

Toxic chemicals and dusts

Permissible Exposure Limits are based on an 8-hour average exposure, but some have short-term exposure limits based on 15 minute exposures. A few have ceiling limits, which can’t be exceeded even for an instant. The limits are based on the levels at which harmful effects are first known to occur.

PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LIMITS (PELS)

Respirators have major limitations:

They can leak, wear out, or be the wrong kind

They can be hot, uncomfortable and make it hard to see or communicate

They can be hard to breathe through

They are easily removed in contaminated air

The first choice is to reduce chemical exposure by other means. Most people do not like wearing respirators and may remove them to talk to another worker. Tight-fitting respirators are especially susceptible to leaking.

WHY RESPIRATORS ARE THE LAST CHOICE

Use one or more of the following controls to reduce exposure to airborne chemicals:

Ventilation

Dust suppression with water

Eliminate use of chemical

Substitute with a less toxic chemical

Isolate or enclose the chemical processes

Other processing changes

Respirators should be used only if these methods are not feasible or don’t reduce exposure.

HOW TO AVOID USING RESPIRATORS

Air-purifying respirators – filters air through cartridges or filtering facepieces (dust masks).

Powered air-purifying respirators – filters air through cartridges with assistance of a blower.

Airline respirators – provides unlimited clean air from a compressor.

Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) – provides 30- 60 minutes of clean air from a tank.

Escape respirators – provides air for escape only from a small bottle.

TYPES OF RESPIRATORS

Full-face cartridge respirator Powered air-purifying respirator

Half-face cartridge respiratorFiltering facepiece (dust mask)

TYPES OF AIR-PURIFYING RESPIRATORS

Air-purifying respirators trap air contaminants in a cartridge or filter when the wearer inhales.

Particulate respirators capture dusts, mists and welding fumes.

Chemical cartridge respirators capture gases and vapors.

Combination cartridges are available.

These types of respirators have many limitations and restrictions and cannot be used where air contaminant levels are extremely high or when there is an oxygen deficiency.

AIR-PURIFYING RESPIRATORS

Air inhaled in Air inhaled inAir exhaled out

This picture shows how air moves in and out of the respirator. The act of breathing creates a negative pressure inside the mask, which is why these and dust masks are sometimes called “negative pressure respirators”. If the mask does not fit properly along the edges, contaminated air can enter during inhalation.

HOW CARTRIDGE RESPIRATORS WORK

Cartridges must be changed periodically to provide protection.

The right cartridge for the contaminant of concern must be chosen.

Air-purifying respirators provide protection up to 10 or 100 times the PEL.

Will not provide adequate protection in confined spaces, major leaks or spills or for certain highly toxic chemicals.

AIR-PURIFYING RESPIRATOR LIMITS

RESPIRATOR PROTECTION FACTOR

Half-face cartridge and dust mask respirators only provide protection to levels 10 times above the chemical or dust permissible limit.

Ammonia Permissible Limit – 25 ppm

Respirator Protection Factor for ammonia – 250 ppm

ppm = parts per million

Example

LIMITS OF CHEMICAL CARTRIDGES

Chemical cartridges can absorb only so much chemical.

When their capacity is reached, breakthrough will occur.

You can’t always tell if a respirator leaks by a chemical odor.

Some chemicals have no odor, or can only be smelled at high levels.

Breakthrough means the chemical goes through the cartridge into the facepiece. If a worker smells the chemical with their respirator on, they will know it is not working. But if the chemical has no odor, or it can only be detected at high levels above the permissible limit, they may not know if their respirator is working properly. For these reasons, cartridges must be changed regularly.

Airline Respirator SCBAClean air comes from a compressor or tank and provides the highest protection to users.

Supplied air respirators can provide protection up to 1000 to 10,000 above the permissible exposure limit, depending on the type of respirator. The two types of respirators shown here have tight-fitting facepieces. Loose fitting respirators are also available.

SUPPLIED AIR RESPIRATORS

Hood Helmet

facepiece Full Body Suit

Air is supplied from these respirators by means of a hose from an air compressor. These are the only type of respirators that do not require fit-testing. Their protection varies depending on the type. The loose-fitting facepiece is the least protective of this type.

LOOSE FITTING SUPPLIED AIR RESPIRATORS

Oxygen deficiency

High levels of toxic chemicals in the air – above “IDLH” levels

Other conditions of high levels of highly toxic chemicals in the air

Firefighting

Unlike air-purifying respirators (cartridge-type respirators or dust masks), supplied air respirators provide a high degree of protection for the user in these life-threatening situations. If air contaminants or oxygen levels are unknown and testing can’t be done in confined spaces, emergency spills or leaks or at hazardous waste sites, it must be assumed that IDLH levels are exceeded and supplied air respirators must be worn. Assume the worst case, unless you have evidence otherwise.

WHEN ARE SUPPLIED AIR RESPIRATORS REQUIRED

“IDLH” means

Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health

Most chemicals have a listed IDLH level link to NIOSH IDLH Table

Oxygen deficiency is also IDLH

IDLH conditions can occur in confined or enclosed spaces, large chemical spills or leaks and fires

In most workplaces, IDLH conditions rarely occur. Confined spaces are the exception - IDLH conditions are much more common in sewers or tanks where welding is done or tanks which contained chemicals or fuel.

WHAT IS “IDLH”?

Escape bottle attached to airline respirator system

Carried escape respirator

These can’t be used for entry – going in a room to turn off a valve or make a repair. They only contain 5-10 minutes supply of air, enough time to exit a room or building where there has been a major chemical leak or spill, or when the supplied air respirator fails.

ESCAPE RESPIRATORS

Air for tanks or from compressors must be “Grade D” air.

Tank air is purchased from vendors.

Compressors supply air for airline respirators.

Compressor air must be equivalent to Grade D air.

Low pressure compressors may not provide adequate amount of air.

Link to Grade D air requirements

AIR QUALITY FOR SUPPLIED AIR RESPIRATORS

Be careful – these do not provide clean air without a filter system!!

Oil-lubricated compressor are especially hazardous. You must test for carbon monoxide or have a high temperature alarm.

Locate air intake away from engine exhaust which can contaminate breathing air.

Use these compressors with caution!

CONSTRUCTION AND PLANT AIR COMPRESSORS

One of the most important task is selecting the correct respirator for the hazard.

Knowledge of chemical identity, extent of use, levels in the air and permissible limits is needed.

You must conduct a workplace hazard assessment – air sampling may be necessary.

Personal air sampler

RESPIRATOR SELECTION

Conditions Type of Respirator

IDLH conditions or oxygen deficiency

SCBA or airline respirator with escape bottle

Dust/chemical levels up to 1000 times PEL

Airline respirator with full facepiece or hood

Dust/chemical levels up to 100 times PEL

Air-purifying respirator with full facepiece

Dust/chemical levels up to 50 times PEL

Powered air purifying respirator with half facepiece

Dust/chemical levels up to 10 times PEL

Air-purifying respirator with half facepiece

RESPIRATOR SELECTION

Respirators Must Fit Properly

Fit-testing must be done before first wearing a respirator.

Tight-fitting respirators must fit properly to prevent leaks around the edges.

Beards are not allowed when wearing a tight-fitting respirator because they will leak.

RESPIRATOR FIT

Required for all tight-fitting respirators.

Four qualitative methods and three quantitative – your choice.

Quantitative methods are more accurate.

Fit-testing methods are covered in detail in the Respirator Rule.

Checking fit of respirator on individual employees.

RESPIRATOR FIT TESTING

Medical evaluations are required for anyone wearing respirators.

Respirator use places a burden on the body.

Respirators can be hazardous to people with heart or lung problems.

Air-purifying respirators restrict breathing, particularly during heavy exercise. They also can add to heat stress in hot conditions. Tank-type respirators (SCBA) are heavy. Airline respirators and PAPRs are less of a burden to the body.

MEDICAL EVALUATIONS

First step in medical evaluation is a confidential medical questionnaire.

Employee completes it and sends it directly to medical provider.

Medical provider decides if medical exam needed.

The results are only used to determine if respirators can be worn.

The information in this questionnaire and the medical exam can’t be shared with the employer. An employer will only get a notice stating the employee can or cannot wear respirators.

MEDICAL QUESTIONNAIRE

Respirators must be cleaned, inspected and maintained regularly.

Respirator maintenance and repair are essential for proper functioning.

Store in a clean, dry place.

Don’t store like this!

RESPIRATOR CLEANING & MAINTENANCE

Training is required for any employee wearing respirators.

Training must cover why respirators needed, their limitations, how to clean and maintain and how to use.

Hands-on training is especially important for emergencies and SCBA use.

EMPLOYEE TRAINING

Respirator program administrator

Written procedures and records

Proper respirator selection

Medical evaluation of respirator users

Fit-testing of respirators to each user

Respirator maintenance, repair & storage

Assured air quality for supplied-air respirators

Employee training

WHAT IS REQUIRED IN A RESPIRATOR PROGRAM?

Prepared materials:– from manufacturers– From OSHA– Other boiler plate programs

Must be workplace-specific!

Much of your written program can be composed of compiled procedures from several sources. But some procedures will need to reflect your specific workplace practices. Be careful of “boiler plate” programs which may not describe your workplace’s selection considerations or its specific emergency procedures. The purpose of a written procedure is to get a specific, consistent outcome by giving instructions that can be applied in your actual work area.

WRITTEN RESPIRATOR PROGRAM

If you allow employees to wear respirators:

– Provide the mandatory handout,

– ensure safe use,

– provide medical evaluations

– ensure proper cleaning, storage and maintenance

Link to mandatory handout

These requirements apply to voluntary use of all respirators including dust masks. Fit-testing is not required.

VOLUNTARY RESPIRATOR USE