Breathtaking Adventures in Respiratory Protection! Presented June 23, 2017 Darren MacPherson, MSc(A), ROH, CRSP
Z94.4-11: Selection, Use, and Care of Respirators
Blue Canary Firefighter slang for a police officer at a fire or accident involving hazardous materials. Usually it s because cops will approach the scene without any breathing apparatus or protective gear. When you see the cop keel over, call the mop and glow squad and get the hell out! - Urban Dictionary
Overview of Today s Session Respiratory Protection Program Basics Types of Respirators Fit Testing Determining if a Respirator is Needed Complex real-world experiences and emerging challenges Jump in any time!
Respiratory Protection Program Basics
Types of Respirators
N95 Air Purifying Assigned Protection Factor = 10 Common Appropriate Uses Bioaerosols Particulates Common Inappropriate Uses Vapors Gases
No Respect!
Key Concept: Assigned Protection Factor (APF) Indication of how much protection respirator offers Use with reference to Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) APF 10 means protection up to 10x OEL
Key Concept Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) Concentration of substance to which worker can be repeatedly exposed without experiencing adverse health effects Various durations 8 hours 15 minutes Ceiling Many chemicals do not have OELs Use As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) approach
Using APFs and OELs Together Example: Ontario s 8-hr OEL for Lead = 0.05 mg/m 3 A worker is using N95 with an APF of 10 To what average concentration of airborne lead can a worker be safety exposed over a 8-hour shift? 0.05 mg/m 3 x 10 = 0.50 mg/m 3
Dust Mask Air Purifying* APF = Not Rated Not a Respirator! Common Appropriate Uses Nuisance Particulate Not much else Common Inappropriate Uses Vapors & Gases In lieu of a N95
Many things can be air purifying to some extent 2006 Study by Dato, Hostler & Hahn in Journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases
Air filtering facepieces made from t shirts! Results 13% 66% filtration effectiveness N95 = 95% filtration effectiveness
Surgical Mask Air Purifying* APF = Not Rated Not a Respirator! Common Appropriate Uses Large Droplets Containment of Droplets Common Inappropriate Uses Vapors & Gases In lieu of N95
Half Face Air Purifying APF= 10 Common Appropriate Uses Bioaerosols & Particulates Variety of Chemical Hazards Common Inappropriate Uses Wrong cartridges Service life estimates
Colour-coded Cartridges Choose cartridge carefully
N95 = 95% efficient P100 = 99.97% efficient APF = 10 APF = 10 Filter efficiency considers particle penetration APF considers particle penetration and also seal leakage Any advantages to using N95 over elastomeric half face?
Full Face Air Purifying APF= 50 Common Appropriate Uses Bioaerosols & Particulate Variety of Chemical Hazards Common Inappropriate Uses Wrong cartridges Cartridge replacement
Full Face Gas Mask Air Purifying APF= 50 Common Appropriate Uses Tear gas, OC spray Variety of Chemical Hazards Common Inappropriate Uses Wrong canister Canister storage, replacement
Full Face Powered Air Purifying (PAPR) APF= 1,000 Common Appropriate Uses Hot environments Bearded Workers* Common Inappropriate Uses O 2 deficient atmospheres Battery maintenance
Key Concept: Air Purifying Respirator Limitations Oxygen-deficient atmospheres Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) Death Permanent adverse health effects Escape hindrance Agents with poor warning properties Unknown/unpredictable atmospheric contaminants What if one of these conditions exists?
Airline (Full Face) Supplied Air APF= 1,000 Common Appropriate Uses IDLH conditions O 2 Deficient Common Inappropriate Uses Airline snag hazards Compressor/filter issues
Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Supplied Air APF= 10,000 Common Appropriate Uses IDLH O 2 Deficient Common Inappropriate Uses Air purity Equipment maintenance
APF = 10 APF = 10 APF = 50 APF = 50 APF = 1,000 APF = 1,000 APF = 10,000
Fit Testing
Before You Start Fit Testing Respirator User Screening Medical reasons respirator use would be unsafe? Sample Form in CSA Standard Z94.4-11: Selection, Use & Care of Respirators May require expert assistance, accommodations BFOR generally trumps humanrights code-protected grounds
Qualitative Fit Test (QLFT) Taste Sensitivity Test Spray solution inside hood without respirator
Bitrex
Subject wearing N95 Spray solution inside hood Series of exercises Can t taste solution = pass Can taste solution = fail Advantages to QLFT? Disadvantages to QLFT?
Quantitative Fit Test (QNFT)
Subject wearing respirator Series of exercises Acceptable particulate = pass Unacceptable particulate = fail Advantages to QNFT? Disadvantages to QNFT?
Cst Jonathan Hall @TheBeardedCop Would you fit test this officer? Facial hair diameter 17 180 µm RPP filters down to 0.3 µm Gap 57 to 600 times > particle!
According to CSA s Standard Crystal clear?
Clean-shaven Policy makes life easier but it s difficult to administer
Let s Play a Game of Would You Fit Test Me?
OL #66 Dariusz Bladek
OL #66 Thaddeus Coleman
OL #63 Derrick Dennis
OL #54 Peter Dyakowski
OL #65 Dillon Guy
OL #78 Brendon Philogene
OL #59 Josiah St. John
OL #64 Ryan White
Good Luck Stopping that Redblacks Pass Rush!
Sorry I Probably Just Ruined Movies for You
What kind of PAPR is that? Is that NIOSH approved?
Do up your damn straps, bud! Also white for acid gas need goggles?
Homemade hazmat suit and gas mask Most people: Don t go out there!!! Monsters/aliens will get you! Me: Don t go out there!!! Pop bottle gas mask won t work!
This guy is super worried about catching post-apocalyptic disease.
He doesn t want to turn into something like this.
Same guy is not clean-shaven. Good luck with that facial seal!
Determining if a Respirator is Needed
Industrial/Occupational Hygiene Air Testing Regulated Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) Chemical Concentration > OEL = Respirator Needed Chemical Concentration > ½ OEL = Respirator recommended Chemical Concentration < 1/2 OEL = Respirator not needed Industrial/Occupational Hygienists can offer professional help
Lead Abatement Elimination Control
Low Lead Ammo Substitution Control
Ventilation Engineering Control
On-site Laundry Administrative Control
PPE = Last Resort
Controlled vs Uncontrolled Environments Police officers often work in uncontrolled environments Might not have time for: APFs OELs IH/OH Air Testing Might have to make a call using dynamic risk assessment
Complex Real-world Experiences
Explosive Forced Entry Training: Good New Story! Ottawa Fire considered using property for training after OPS done
This is what they found Building contained many asbestos containing materials!
Were our members exposed to asbestos??? Too late to do air testing but THEY WERE LITERALLY EXPLODING ACMS!!! Reasonable to conclude that asbestos overexposures were likely
What did we do? Risk Communication Sessions Medical Surveillance Check for ACMs at training venues in the future
Dangerous atmosphere? Pleasant atmosphere? Would air testing show chemicals > OELs? Possible scenario for discretionary respirator use
Respirator fit testing during early days at OPS Members kept bringing masks that were expired for >10 years CSA requires fit testing every two years I know an army expert who says the masks are good for twice as long as the manufacturer s recommendations. Don t worry the masks passed the fit test or I never would have issued them!
Unable to validate/confirm safe to use gas masks past expiry dates Successful business case: OPS-wide issuance of new gas masks What should be done with old expired gas masks?
Carp Landfill Difficult Risk Management Decision
What respiratory protection should be used at a fire scene? What respiratory protection should be used outside the perimeter? What s in the air at a fire scene? Particulates, aerosols, gases, vapours mix of known & unknown Do airborne contaminants have good warning properties? What if a police officer working perimeter duty here had a N95? Would the officer have a false sense of security? Would it be beneficial to reduce particulate exposure? Never use air purifying respirators for unknown atmospheres
What if Fort McMurray is on fire? Is there a case for dynamic risk assessment and educated decisions? Interesting variation on harm reduction approach
Chemical suicide Hydrogen sulfide is commonly used agent No way to predict atmosphere Variation of fire scene harm reduction thought exercise
Evolving drug threats Air purifying respirators for unknown hazards? SCBAs for all? Industry-specific high-stakes risk management decisions
Catch your breath during some final thoughts!
Closing Thoughts Knowing respirator basics is a great starting point Ask an expert (e.g. industrial/occupational hygienist) for help You know at least one expert who will give you free advice: Darren MacPherson, ROH 613-236-1222 x4149 darren.macpherson@ottawapolice.ca Don t stress about in-flight movies on your way home Thanks to the LEOSH organizers for a wonderful experience! Questions/comments/criticism?