OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134

1. OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134

2. Major Changes • Different categories of particulate filters • End of service life schedule • Designate a program administrator • New IDLH requirements • Voluntary use requirements • Medical, training, fit testing details

3. Scope and Dates • This standard applies to general industry, shipyards, marine terminals, longshoring, and construction • The effective date is 4/8/98 • Determination that respirator use is required (paragraph a) to be completed no later than9/8/98 • Compliance with all other provisions of this standard must be completed no later than 10/5/98 • Employers may use the results of training, fit testing, medical evaluation conducted within 12 months prior to 4/8/98 if they meet the standard requirements

4. Other OSHA Specific Standards • Respirator related provisions of OSHA’s existing standards are revised to conform to the revised 1910.134 • All provisions addressing respirator use, selection, and fit testing are deleted from OSHA’s specific substance standards

5. Organization of the Standard • a) Permissible practice • b) Definitions • c) Respirator program • d) Selection of respirators • e) Medical evaluation • f) Fit testing • g) Use of respirator • h) Maintenance and care • i) Breathing air quality and use • j) Identification of filters, cartridges, and canisters • k) Training and information • m) Recordkeeping • n) Dates • o) Appendices • A - Fit test procedures • B-1 User seal checks • B-2 Cleaning procedures • C Medical questionnaire • D Information for employees wearing respirators when not required

6. Permissible Practice • Primary means of control of breathing contaminated air is through use of feasible engineering controls • If not feasible or while implementing respirators shall be used • Respirators must be appropriate for use intended • Employer is responsible for establishment of respirator program as discussed in paragraph (c)

7. Respirator Program • Develop a written program with worksite specific procedures • Update program as needed as conditions change • Designate a program administrator who is qualified • Provide respirators, training, and medical evaluations at no cost to employees

8. Voluntary Use • If voluntary use of dust masks is permissible, employer must provide appendix D information • For other respirator use, must implement medical evaluation and cleaning, storage, and maintenance requirements

9. Program Elements • Selection • Medical evaluation • Fit testing • Use • Maintenance and care • Breathing air quality • Training • Program evaluation

10. Selection of respirators • Employer must select appropriate respirator based on respiratory hazards and user factors which affect performance and reliability • Select NIOSH certified respirators and use in compliance with conditions of certification • Identify and evaluate the respiratory hazards in the workplace and estimate the employee’s exposure • If estimate cannot be performed consider atmosphere IDLH • Select from sufficient number of models and sizes

11. Respirators for IDLH • Use full facepiece pressure demand SCBA certified by NIOSH for minimum life of 30 minutes, or • Combination full facepiece pressure demand with auxiliary self contained breathing supply • All oxygen-deficient atmospheres are considered IDLH

12. Respirators for atmospheres not IDLH • Provide an atmosphere supplying respirator, or • Provide an air purifying respirator, provided that: • Equipped with and end of service life indicator, or • Implement a change schedule based on objective information, and must describe the information and data relied upon for the schedule

13. For protection against particulates, provide: • An atmosphere supplying respirator, or • An air-purifying respirator with HEPA filter under NIOSH CFR Part 11 or with filters certified for particulates under 42 CFR Part 84

14. NIOSH Requirements 42 CFR Part 84 • On July 10, 1995, 30 CFR 11 was replaced by 42 CFR 84 • Only certifications for nonpowered, air purifying, particulate respirators are affected • Remaining portions of Part 11 incorporated into Part 84 without change • Permits manufacture and sale of Part 11 respirators until July 10, 1998 • Distributors and end users may deplete supplies until inventories are exhausted

15. Classes of Filters • Old Part 11 used dust, fume, mist classification • Part 84 has 3 classes based on characteristics against oil containing hazards, and 3 classes based on filtering efficiency • Levels of efficiency are 95%, 99%, and 99.97% • Oil resistance categories are N (not resistant), R (resistant), and P (oil proof) • Filters are clearly marked (i.e. N95)

16. Selection of N, R, or P • If no oil present, use either N, P, or R • If oil particles are present, use only R or P • If oil present and respirator used for more than 1 shift, use only P

17. Selection of filter efficiency • Must consider overall respirator performance needed • Calculate hazard grade ( exposure/limit) • Must know protection factor of respirator • Example • Half mask with HEPA - protection factor is 10 • Half mask with N95 - protection factor is 100/10 +5 = 6.6 • Full face with N 95 - protection factor is 100/2+5 = 14.2 • N95 with half mask suitable for many conditions with hazard grade below 6.

18. Medical Evaluation • Must be done before fit testing and use to determine users ability to wear respirator • Identify a PLHCP (physician or other licensed health care provider) to perform evaluations using the questionnaire or other examination which obtains information • Appendix C Part A questionnaire • Follow up exam required if positive response to any question of questions 1-8 in section 2 • Annual review required

19. Fit Testing • Before employee uses tight fitting facepiece • Must pass QLFT or QNFT • At least annually, or other changes in physical condition of employee • QLFT OK if fit factor of 100 or less is needed

20. Use of respirators • Cannot use tight fitting respirators if facial hair or other conditions which may interfere with seal • Glasses or goggles must not interfere with seal • Users must perform a user seal check each time put on per procedures in Appendix B-1 • Maintain appropriate surveillance of work area conditions and degree of exposure • IDLH • Locate one employee outside the IDLH area • Maintain voice or other communication • Outside employee must be trained and equipped for emergency rescue

21. Maintenance and care • Provide respirator that is clean, sanitary, and in good working order • Use procedures in Appendix B-2 • Clean and disinfect: • as often as needed when used for exclusive use • before being worn by different employee • after each use for emergency respirators

22. Identification • All filters, cartridges, and canisters must be labeled and color coded with the NIOSH approval label

23. Training and information • Employees must demonstrate knowledge of: • why respirator is needed • use in emergency situations • how to inspect, put on, and check seals • how to store • medical signs and symptoms which may limit effective use • general requirements of the standard • how to fit test and maintain • Train prior to use and annually, or when changes occur • Provide Appendix D to all users

24. Program Evaluation • To ensure effective implementation • Must regularly consult employees to assess

25. Recordkeeping • Medical evaluations retained per 29 CFR 1910.1020 • Fit test records until next fit test • Written program