GPHL Respirator Training

LaTonya Clay, Ph.D.Training Coordinator

Objectives• Define respirator• Discuss National Institute for Occupational Safety and

Health (NIOSH) requirements• Describe N95 and other respirator types • Review respirator procedures – Seal Check – Donning/Doffing

• Describe storage requirements • Discuss Medical Clearance and Fit Testing requirements

Respirators• Personal protective device worn on the face that covers at

least the nose and mouth • Reduces the risk of inhaling hazardous airborne particles,

including dust and infectious agents, gases, or vapors • Considered the last line of defense in the occupational

hierarchy of controls • Recommended when engineering controls are not

feasible or sufficient to control the hazard • Protect the user either by filtering contaminated ambient

air or by providing a clean source of air.

NIOSH• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health – Federal agency responsible for conducting research

and making recommendations to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.

– Helps to assure safe and healthy working conditions • National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory

(NPPTL) is the division of NIOSH responsible for respirator certification.

• NIOSH-approved respirators are marked with the manufacturer’s name, the part number, the type of protection (for ex., N95) and the acronym, NIOSH.

N95 Respirator-NIOSH Requirements

N95 Respirators• Used to protect against infectious aerosols produced when working

with microorganisms, such as Rabies virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis

• Do not provide protection from chemicals, gases or vapors. Other respirator types are required for protection against chemical vapors.

• The “N” designation indicates that the respirator is not resistant to

oil. – Other respirator types may begin with an “R” or “P”

• R95 respirators: Filter 95% of airborne particles and are somewhat resistant to oil

• P95 respirators: Filter 95% of airborne particles and are strongly resistant to oil

N95 Respirators• Primary respirator type used at Georgia Public Health Laboratory

• Filter 95% of airborne particles that are 0.3 microns in size

• N95 Respirator Assigned Protection Factor (APF) = 10– An APF of 10 means that type of respirator (if used properly) can be

safely used in an atmosphere that has a hazardous concentration of up to 10 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for that hazard.

• Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) APF= 1000 – Provide a significantly higher level of protection as compared to

disposable, tight-fitting N95 respirators

Surgical Masks• Can not replace a NIOSH-approved respirator • Only prevent the release of infectious aerosols from the

individual, while N95 respirators filter aerosols prior to inhalation by the individual.

Respirator Donning and Doffing• Don: to put on • Doff: to remove or take off

General Donning Procedure• When putting on a respirator (donning), complete the

following: – Ensure that the respirator is the same manufacturer, model,

and size on which you were fit tested. – Note: Review model and size information on your fit test

form to ensure that it is consistent with your respirator. • Review the appropriate manufacturer’s instructions specific to

the respirator model in use to ensure that you are properly trained on donning the respirator.

• Inspect the respirator for damage prior to each use. • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for putting on the

respirator and performing the seal check procedure.

Donning Procedure Example3M 1860 Respirator

• Cup the respirator in your hand, with the nosepiece at your fingertips, allowing the headbands to hang freely below your hand.

• Position the respirator under your chin with the nosepiece up. Pull the top strap over your head resting it high at the top back of your head. Pull the bottom strap over your head and position it around the neck below the ears.

• Place your fingertips from both hands at the top of the metal nosepiece. Using two hands, mold the nose by pushing inward while moving your fingertips down both sides of the nosepiece. • Perform a user Seal Check prior to each use.

Seal Check Procedure Example3M 1860 Respirator

• Check the respirator-to-face seal by placing both hands completely over the respirator and exhaling slowly for ~10 seconds. Repeat above step and inhale for ~10 seconds instead of exhaling.

• Be careful not to disturb the position of the respirator. • If air leaks around the nose, readjust the nosepiece as described in the

third step of the 3M 1860 Donning Procedure. If air leaks around the respirator edges, work the straps back along the sides of your head.

• If you can not achieve a proper seal, try repeating this procedure with a new respirator. After additional attempts, do not enter the isolation or treatment area.

• Notify your supervisor.

Doffing Procedure Example3M 1860 Respirator

• In order to remove an N95 respirator, complete the following steps: – With gloved hands, cup the respirator in hand to maintain its

position on face. Keep in mind that the contaminated area is across the front of the respirator.

– Pull the bottom strap over head. – While holding the respirator in position, pull top strap over head

and remove the respirator.

Note: This procedure is specific to the 3M 1860 model of N95 respirators. Review and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the respirator model in use in your area.

Other respirator types• PAPR (Powered Air Purifying Respirator) is a loose-fitting

respirator • Use is required if employee has facial hair that interferes with

the respirator-to-face seal • Perform Seal and Damage Check prior to each use.

– PAPR is equipped with breathing tube, chargeable battery, filter and filter gasket that must be

inspected prior to each use. • Don/Doff, cleaning, maintenance, and storage must be performed according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Reminder: Complete review of the PAPR powerpoint training.

Half-Face Respirator • Type of protection depends upon cartridge type • Charcoal cartridge protects against chemical vapors (Note: N95 respirators do not have this capability.) • Establish a cleaning and storage schedule according to

manufacturer’s instructions.

Respirator Storage • Store in clean areas only—not in contaminated areas. • Use plastic containers and/or ziploc bags to protect

against... – Contamination and dust – Excessive temperatures and moisture – Deformation – Damage

Medical Clearance

• Prior to respirator fit testing• OSHA requirement • Employees with asthma are to use PAPRs or loose-fitting

respirators instead of tight-fitting respirators • Complete GPHL Proof of Medical Clearance Form

Note: Medical clearance is at employee’s expense – Indicate on the aforementioned form if you waive this

clearance

Respirator Fit Testing• Respirator training and fit testing are both required

annually and before initial use of respirator • Must be repeated if the user experiences significant

changes in physical conditions, such as weight loss or gain, and surgery or injury to face

Respirator Assessment• Access and complete the Respirator Exam:

– After you have reviewed the PAPR training powerpoint in SABA– By closing the training window(s) and clicking on the Respirator

Exam link

• Respirator Fit Testing is coordinated by GPHL Safety Officer.Fit Testing: Quantitative, On-Site -or- Qualitative, Off-Site

Contact: LaTonya Clay, Ph.D. Email: laclay@dhr.state.ga.us