Inspecting Respirators

Transcription

1 Inspecting Respirators The examples you are about to witness were obtained from respirator users through the years. Most problems were discovered during the annual fit tests or represent problems found most frequently at that time.

2 General Cleanliness A respirator that is not clean can Cause a reduced seal Cause undue wear to certain respirator parts reducing its effectiveness and speed replacement Lead to skin problems if cleanliness is a chronic problem.

3 General Cleanliness Look for dirt, films of chemical, oils, soap or disinfectant residue, and make-up Check how the respirator and cartridges are being stored to protect from chemicals and other contaminants

4 General cleanliness Dust and grit under the exhalation valve can reduce a fit factor to an unacceptable level. Even when it doesn t look dirty, the seal can be affected. A good reason to keep it clean.

5 Harness straps not washed will collect chemicals and dirt between the fibers, which degrades the elastic. General cleanliness These residues are also in contact with the user s skin.

6 Degradation of harness straps Result is no ability to adjust the harness for comfort and good seal.

7 Degradation of harness straps These users did not replace the harness when needed and made adjustments to their straps that were non-adjustable. These users could not adjust the straps to meet their needs for comfort and fit.

8 Degradation of harness straps Another one for entry into the World Book of Duct Tape

9 Broken harnesses will not allow adequate tightening and adjustment

10 Check face piece for effects of UV radiation Fading of color, chalky, and loss of flexibility, stiffness Deterioration of elastic straps, loss of elasticity

11 Check the face piece for distortion, proper shape Distorted seal surfaces

12 Check the face piece for distortion Distorted seal surface Also check how the respirator is stored and in what kind of package to protect from distortion (Is it compressed?)

13 Check face piece for cuts, tears, cracks, and holes It might be obvious.

14 Check face piece for cuts, tears, cracks, and holes And it might not.

15 Check face piece for cuts, tears, cracks, and holes So check carefully

16 Inspect respirator face piece components

17 Inhalation and exhalation valves: Are they present? YES! This does happen!

18 Inhalation valves: Are they flat? Are the edges curled up? Inhalation valve pretty bad curl Inhalation valve extreme curl

19 Inhalation valves: Are they flat? Are the edges curled up? Inhalation valve moderate curl

20 Inhalation valves are the supports cracked? This sort of thing is easily missed

21 Inhalation valves are the supports cracked? A direct short for contaminants to the breathing zone when inhaling

22 Exhalation valves Are they curled? Are they flat? Poor seal here is direct short cut for contaminants to breathing zone when inhaling

23 Inhalation & exhalation valves Is the valve seat torn? Is the valve seat completely seated in-place in the valve support?

24 Inhalation & exhalation valves Are they pliable? Are they clean? Are they flat? Are they your buddy s or the correct ones? Do you need to order some to have onhand? Are they installed in the respirator? Did they get left out after cleaning? Check

25 Full face respirators Is the speaker diaphragm in-place?

26 Cartridges Have they been dropped? Check for cracks Tiny crack Larger crack

27 Cartridges Are they contaminated? Has the end-of-service life period been reached? Are they the right cartridge for the job?

28 A Checklist Cleanliness dirt, chemical film, soap and disinfectant film, oils, and makeup Straps and harness Flexibility, elasticity, no cracks, not twisted, adjustable, clips work Cartridges soiled, cracks, end-of-service life period reached Face piece cracks, cuts, holes, ultraviolet deterioration (chalky, discoloring, faded), stiffness, reduced pliability, proper shape, no deformities, stored un-compressed Face piece components Exhalation and inhalation valve in place, valves properly seated, valve seat not torn, valves pliable and flat, valves clean, speaking diaphragm in place

29 Respirator Inspection Training is complete Click if you are ready to take the training quiz Click here if you would like to return to the beginning of the training to review for the quiz Return to the EH&S training menu to take the Respiratory Protection Refresher PowerPoint as part of this training