Respiratory Safety Public Safety

1. Respiratory SafetyPublic Safety Murray State University

2. You will learn • The reasons respirators are necessary • The capabilities and limitations of different respirators • How to inspect, put on and maintain respirators • What to do if something goes wrong while wearing a respirator

3. Medical Evaluations • Don’t use a respirator until a health care professional determines you are physically able to do so. • Management will organize the testing. • For people with existing medical conditions, respirator use can cause injury or death.

4. Respirators Will Protect You • Hazardous particles in the air can cause serious injuries or death. • Use a respirator whenever you enter an area with hazardous particles in the air. • You may not be able to see or smell hazardous air particles until it’s too late.

5. Two Types of Respirators • Air purifying respirators (APRs) • Clean the air with • Filters • Cartridges • Canisters • Supplied air respirators (SARs) • Supply you with clean air from an outside source

6. Air Purifying Respirators (APRs) • Remove harmful substances from the air you breathe so you can stay safe. • Have tight fitting face pieces to stop you from breathing contaminated air.

7. Two Types of APRs • Particulate removing respirators • filter out dusts, fibers, fumes and mists • may be single-use disposable respirators or multiple-use respirators with disposable filters • Gas and vapor removing respirators • remove contaminants by absorption, or chemical reaction • Gas masks are an example

8. Benefits of Air Purifying Respirators (APRs) • Lightweight • Portable • Easy to inspect and maintain • Not dependent upon supplied air

9. Contaminant-specific cartridges Communication Non-IDLH only Oxygen at 19.5% minimum Assigned protection factor of 10 Not for use in emergency situations Limitations of Air Purifying Respirators (APRs)

10. Remember Only use APRs in conditions where there is no question what the dangers are and that the APR will provide adequate protection.

11. Supplied Air Respirators (SARs) • Provide breathing air that is independent from the environment • Range from: • SCBAs • Air-line suppliers • Protective suits

12. Benefits and Limitations of Supplied Air Respirators (SARs) • Benefits of SARs are that: • They can be used for any type of contaminant or exposure level • Limitations of SARs are that: • Movement is restricted • Hoses can bump into machinery • SCBAs are heavy and their time is limited by the volume of air in the cylinder

13. Qualitative Fit Testing • Ensures your respirator fits properly • Is performed at initial fitting and then annually after that • Relies on your ability to detect a harmless substance in your breathing space

14. Quantitative Fit Testing • Measures the amount of hazardous particles that could leak into your respirator • Produces a number called the ‘fit factor’ • The larger the number, the safer you are

15. Change Cartridges • Odor or taste is present inside respirator • Breathing becomes difficult • During annual respirator fit tests and training • When service life indicator indicates cartridge is full

16. Positive Pressure Fit Check • Check the fit of your respirator before every use. • Close off the exhalation valve and exhale gently. • Slight positive pressure should be felt. • Don’t use if you hear or feel air leaking.

17. Negative Pressure Fit Check • Perform this test every time a respirator is put on. • Close off the inlet by covering with the palms. • Inhale gently so facepiece collapses slightly, hold for 5 seconds. • Only use if no leaks are detected.

18. Respirator InspectionFacepiece • Excessive dirt • Cracks, tears, holes or distortion • Inflexibility • Cracked or badly scratched lenses • Cracked or broken air-purifying element; threads or gaskets

19. Respirator InspectionHead Strap or Harness • Breaks • Loss of elasticity • Broken or malfunctioning buckles and attachments • Excessive worn, serrated edges

20. Respirator InspectionExhalation Valve • Foreign material build up • Cracks, breaks, chips in valve • Missing or defective cover • Improper installation

21. Respirator InspectionAir-Purifying Element • Incorrect cartridge • Incorrect installation • Expired • Cracks or dents

22. Respirator Cleaning • Dirty, inoperative respirators will not effectively protect you • Any good detergent may be used • Cleaner and sanitizer is available through the Facilities Management Warehouse

23. Respirator Storage • Store in a bag or sealed container labeled with your name • Store in a dry, room temperature, dust-free environment

24. Leave the Respirator Area if You • Smell or taste something out of the ordinary • Feel your eyes or throat becoming irritated • Observe a change in your breathing • Notice the face piece is leaking or other parts of the respirator are broken • Hear an alarm signaling equipment has failed

25. Summary • Working in an area with hazardous particles in the air can cause injury or death • Air Purifying Respirators remove harmful substances from the air • Supplied Air Respirators provide clean air from outside the contaminated work area • Fit Testing ensures a proper fit