ARC Training Tools

1. ARC Training Tools • Alabama Retail is committed to partnering with our members to create and keep safe workplaces. • Be sure to check out all of the training tools that are available in our Safety Library. This training tool is brought to you by

2. Respiratory Protection Healthcare Workers

3. Session Objectives • You will be able to: • Recognize respiratory hazards in your job • Identify and use appropriate respiratory protection • Get a good, safe fit when using a respirator • Inspect, maintain, and store respirators properly

4. What You Need to Know • The facility’s respiratory protection program • OSHA requirements • Respiratory hazards • Capabilities and limitations of respirators • Respirator selection, fit, inspection, cleaning, and storage

5. When Do You Need to Wear a Respirator? • When airborne levels of a hazardous substance are higher than the PEL • When you work with or around TB patients • For emergency response operations • Image Credit: RAE Systems

6. The Facility’s Respiratory Protection Program • Written operating procedures • Respirator selection, use, training, and fitting • Respirator maintenance, storage, and inspection • Work area surveillance • Medical examinations • Evaluation

7. Respiratory Hazards • Hazardous substances that release airborne contaminants • Chemical spill cleanups • TB bacteria • Some laboratory procedures • Laser plumes • Image Credit: WISHA

8. Respiratory Hazards (cont.) • Inhaling some substances can cause: • Lung and tissue damage or irritation • Respiratory diseases • Cancer and other serious illness • Death

9. Respiratory Hazards (cont.) • Don’t depend on smell or vision to identify contaminants • Don’t rely on surgical masks or dust masks to protect you from all hazards

10. Respiratory Protection Hazards and Requirements • Do you understand the information that has been presented so far?

11. Two Basic Types of Respirators • Air-purifying respirators • Atmosphere-supplying respirators • Photo credit: OSHA • Photo credit: OSHA

12. Selecting the Right Respirator • Hazards determine respirator selection • MSDSs provide recommendations • You will be told what kind of respirator to use

13. Getting the Right Fit • Fits securely but not too tightly • Doesn’t pinch nose • Doesn’t slip • Leaves room to move head and talk

14. Getting the Right Fit (cont.) • Qualitative test • Quantitative test • Retesting

15. Seal-Checking Your Respirator • Positive pressure test • Negative pressure test • Photo credit: OSHA

16. Other Factors That Affect Fit • Beards • Eyeglasses • Incompatible facial features

17. Not Everybody Can Wear a Respirator • You may not be able to wear a respirator if you have: • Breathing problems • A heart condition • Claustrophobia • Heat sensitivity

18. Inspect Respirators Before Each Use • Check to make sure there are no: • Holes • Cracks • Deterioration • Dents • Loose connections • And report any problems to your supervisor

19. Clean Respirators After Each Use • Remove filters • Wash and rinse • Carefully replace valves • Photo credit: WISHA

20. Clean Respirators After Each Use (cont.) • Dry with cloth or air dry • Reassemble, then test • Don’t reuse dust masks

21. Protect equipment from damage, sunlight, or contamination Store respirator and dry cartridges in a clean container or bag Do not allow the face piece to be distorted Store Respirators Properly

22. Safe Use of Respirators • Do you understand the information presented about respirator selection, fit, inspection, and maintenance?

23. Key Points to Remember • Understand the hazards of dangerous airborne substances in your job • Always choose the right respirator for the hazards you face • Know how to properly fit, use, inspect, clean, and store respirators • Inspect respirators before each use • Report problems with respirators immediately