Air Purifying Respirators, Powered Air Purifying Respirators, and Personal Protective Equipment

1. Air Purifying Respirators, Powered Air Purifying Respirators, and Personal Protective Equipment Seven Mountains EMS Council

2. Objectives -Determine whether the available PPE and respiratory protective equipment is appropriate for the hazards that have been identified and the tasks that are being assigned -Don, work in, and doff personal protective equipment

3. PPE The Personal Protective Equipment that you select should be based on the activities that you will be expected to participate in at the scene of a hazardous materials incident and the physical and chemical hazards present REMEMBER TOG (fire fighting or rescue) and jump suites are NOT recommended for many chemical spills

4. PPE First responders trained to the operational level are permitted to perform defensive actions only, however those activities may require the use of PPE such as Chemical Protective Clothing (CPC).

5. PPE In addition to skin protection it may be necessary for you as a responder to wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), supplied air respirators (SAR), air purifying respirators (APR), or powered air purifying respirators (PAPR).

6. PPE Levels of protection (NFPA 473 & EPA) Are based on Respiratory and Skin Protection Combined • Level D – no protection • Level C – limited skin and limited respiratory • Level B – limited skin and high respiratory • Level A – high skin and high respiratory

7. Common Sense • Other forms of PPE recommended but not always required are • Body Protection (chemical protective clothing) • Head protection • Eye protection • Hearing Protection • All safety items should meet OSHA & ANSI standards

8. Respiratory Protection Many hazardous situations require respiratory protection. Hazards include - dust - mist • vapors • particles - toxic gasses and - oxygen deficient / enriched atmospheres

9. Respiratory Protection Selection of respiratory protection should be based on the The chemical hazards present The work being performed The ability, training, and experience of the responder

10. Respiratory Protection Dust/HEPA Masks- Dust and mold particles, biological agents

11. Respiratory protection Air Purifying Respirators (APR’s) - Specific types of vapors

12. Respiratory protection • Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR’s) - Specific types of vapors, provides a Positive pressure environment inside the wearer’s mask.

13. Respiratory protection Supplied Air Respirators (SAR’s) - Same as SCBA - Limited to 300’ from air source

14. Respiratory protection • SCBA - highest level of protection

15. Limitations of the PAPRs • Need to know the identity of the contaminant • Need to understand the chemical and physical properties of the contaminant • Need to quantify the environment that you are in, especially OXYGEN • O2 concentrations (19.5% > O2 < 23.5%)

16. Limitations of the PAPRs • Defined usage times (Battery powered fans) • Replacement Canisters • Dependant on use, environment, and contaminants • Compatibility with other forms of Personal Protective Equipment • FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY!

17. Level of Protection • PAPRs provide limited protection from contaminants • Assigned protection factor (APF) = 25 • Up to 1000 providing evidence of manufacturer testing, documented proof, and extended user training and testing.

18. Regulatory Requirements • Documented Respiratory Protection Program, in accordance with the Respiratory Protection Standard of OSHA (29 CFR 1910.134) • NO FIT TESTING for the PAPRs • Individual user training • Inspection / testing, cleaning, and maintenance schedules • Guidelines for use • Limitations of use

19. Questions, Comments, Concerns Time to Don and Doff the PAPR