Respiratory Protection Training

1. Respiratory Protection Training Fort Lewis College Environmental Health and Safety

2. FLC Respiratory Protection Program • Standard Overview (Program Elements) • Donning / Doffing • Inspection / Cleaning • Storage • Uses / Limitations • OSHA Appendix D

3. Program Elements • Selection procedures • Medical evaluations • Fit testing procedures for tight-fitting respirators • Proper use procedures – routine, malfunctions, medical-related & emergency

4. Program Elements • Procedures & schedules for maintenance • Hazards Training - routine & emergency • Respirator use training • Program auditing

5. Early Practices • Pliny (A.D. 23-79) first discussed the idea of using loose fitting animal bladders in Roman mines to protect workers from inhalation of red oxide. • 1814 - particulate removing filter first introduced • WWI - chemical warfare, major improvements developed

6. Training and Information • Employees who are required to use respirators must be trained such that they can demonstrate knowledge of at least: • why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, use, or maintenance can compromise its protective effect • limitations and capabilities of the respirator • effective use in emergency situations • how to inspect, put on and remove, use and check the seals • maintenance and storage • recognition of medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent effective use • general requirements of this standard

7. Training and Information (cont’d) • Retraining is required annually, and when: • changes in the workplace or type of respirator render previous training obsolete • there are inadequacies in the employee’s knowledge or use • any other situation arises in which retraining appears necessary • The basic advisory information in Appendix D must be provided to employees who wear respirators when use is not required by this standard or by the employer

8. Airborne Hazards • Basic Categories • Dusts - crushing, drilling • Fumes - melting, welding • Mists - finely divided liquids • Gases – H2S, CO, N2 • Vapors - solvents • Smoke - carbon and soot particles • Oxygen deficiency - <19.5% O2

9. Selecting a Respirator • Nature and extent of hazard • Physical/chemical properties of contaminant • Concentration of contaminants - IDLH, atmosphere supplying is required. • Exposure limits (PEL’s) • Nature of work operation, etc. • Length of exposure • Exertion needed to perform tasks

10. Fit Testing • How can you prevent exposure without knowing just how the respirator will perform? • Are you willing to take this risk? • Not everyone has the same facial characteristics. • Different types and sizes

11. Respirator Limitations • Impaired lung function - medically unfit • Uniquely shaped face/facial hair • Communication problems • Vision problems • Fatigue • Claustrophobic

12. Uses / Limitations Never use an air purifying respirator: • in an OXYGEN deficient atmosphere; • in an IDLH atmosphere; • for ABRASIVE BLASTING; • for FIRE FIGHTING; • which is NOT APPROVED for the contaminant of concern; • with FACIAL HAIR.

13. Fit Testing Procedure Normal Breathing Talking Deep Breathing Grimace Head Side to Side Bend & Touch Toes Head Up and Down Normal Breathing

14. Basic Principles/Classifications Two Basic Classifications: • Air Purifying Respirator – APR • Atmosphere Supplying Respirators - SCBA’s

15. Air Pressure • If pressure within the facepiece is negative during inhalation with respect to the outside air pressure, the respirator is termed a negative pressure respirator (APR) • If pressure within the facepiece is positive during inhalation with respect to the outside air pressure, the respirator is termed a positive pressure respirator (SCBA’s)

16. Air Purifying Respirators Three general types of filters: • Particulate removing • Vapor and gas removing • Combination

17. Air Purifying Devices (Continued) • Full Face APR - Covers the entire face with cartridges attached to the side. • Half Mask APR - Covers half of the face with the cartridge being a part of the mask itself.

18. Air Purifying Devices • Powered air purifying respirators- similar to a normal respirator yet air is forced by a motor through an appropriate cartridge into the respirator facepiece.

19. Donning / Doffing • Inspection • Adjust straps, out • Hook the bottom straps, slightly snug • Seal face piece • Hook the top straps, slightly snug • Adjust straps until they are snug • Perform user seal checks (+ and -)

20. Respirator Usage Pitfalls: • Facepiece seal leakage • Removing respirator at wrong times • Not conducting user seal checks • Not inspecting respirator and replacing defective parts

21. Face Piece Seal Leakage Cannot allow face piece compromise: • Facial Hair • Absence of normally worn dentures • Facial deformities - scars, deep skin creases, prominent cheekbones • Jewelry or headgear that affects the seal • Glasses

22. User Seal Checks • Also known as a fit check • Must be done when donning a respirator - every time, without exception • Seal checks include both positive & negative checks

23. Positive • Close off the exhalation valve and exhale gently into the facepiece. • The fit is considered satisfactory if a slight positive pressure can be built up inside the facepiece without breaking the facepiece seal.

24. Negative • Close off the inlet opening by covering it with the palm of your hand or paperboard. • Inhale gently so that the facepiece collapses slightly and hold your breath for ten seconds. • If the face piece remains collapsed, the tightness is considered satisfactory. • O.K. to use paperboard over filters

25. Maintenance and Care • Cleaning and Disinfection • Proper Storage • Regular Inspections • Repair Methods

26. Cleaning and Disinfection • Cleaning and sanitizing are required to prevent skin irritation, dermatitis, and build up of materials that could compromise the facepiece seal. • Respirators will be cleaned and disinfected after each use • Individual departments determine cleaning and disinfectant materials

27. Dismantle Wash Rinse Drain Sanitize Rinse Dry Reassemble Test Cleaning

28. Air tight seals (2) Facepiece Inlet valves (2) Straps (3) Cartridges (filters) (2) Exhale valve Exhale valve cover Disassemble for cleaning & repairing half-face MSA

29. Dust Sunlight Damaging chemicals Heat Extreme cold Excessive moisture Storage – Things to Avoid

30. Regular Inspections Examine face piece for: • Dirt • Cracks, tears, holes, distortions • Scratched lenses on full face models • Missing gaskets • Cracked or broken filter element holders • Any other abnormality

31. Regular Inspections Examine head strap or harness for: • Breaks • Loss of elasticity • Broken or malfunctioning buckles • Worn serrations on head harness on full-face models

32. Regular Inspections Inhalation and Exhalation Valves: • Dirt or facial hair on valves • Cracks, tears or distortion of valves • Improper positioning of valve (does not seal as designed) • Missing or defective valve cover • Flexible valves

33. Filters Air-purifying filters: • Correct one for the hazard? • Expired shelf life? • Compound filter needed? • How do you know? • What do you do? • P100, chemical, multiple gas, Hg/Cl2, etc.

34. Employee Responsibilities • Safeguard your respirator • If you experience difficulty breathing, change filter cartridge. If this does not resolve the immediate problem, contact your supervisor. • Report any change in your personal medical condition to Ginny Newman at the Student Health Center

35. Program Evaluation • Evaluations must be performed regularly to ensure the written program is being properly implemented. • Employees will be consulted to evaluate program effectiveness and to identify any problems. This includes fit, selection, use and maintenance of respirators.

36. Recordkeeping • Records of medical evaluations must be retained and made available per 29 CFR 1910.1020 • A record of fit tests must be established and retained until the next fit test is administered • A written copy of the current program must be retained • Written materials required to be retained must be made available upon request to affected employees and OSHA