Respiratory Protection Program
Respiratory Protection Program Table of Contents A. General B. Selection of Respirators C. Medical Screening D. Fit Testing E. Respirator Use Instructions F. Respirator Inspection G. Cleaning/Sanitizing Respirators H. Maintenance of Respirators I. Storage of Respirators Rev. 5/14 1 Respirator Program
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM SCOPE The Otto Construction Respiratory Program is to provide information and guidelines for the selection, use, and care of respiratory protective equipment. A. General 1. Engineering controls will be the primary consideration in the elimination of contaminated air. 2. Respirators shall be worn when engineering controls are unsuccessful and: a. When the threshold-limit value, control point, or ceiling limit for the material exposure is exceeded. b. As deemed appropriate by supervision. 3. Respirators can only be worn by individuals who have the approval of supervision. 4. The General Superintendent will evaluate the effectiveness of the respirator program on an annual basis. 5. Only NIOSH-approved respirators for the potential hazard shall be worn. B. Selection of Respirators 1. Superintendents, when possible, shall utilize engineering controls to minimize exposure to contaminated air (i.e., eliminating the source of contamination, ventilation equipment, etc.) 2. If the need for respirators has been established, the respirators shall be selected on the basis of the hazards to which the worker is exposed utilizing the ANSI Z88.2 1992 Guidelines. Rev. 5/14 2 Respirator Program
3. Voluntary use of filtering face pieces (dust masks) will be allowed if Otto Construction has determined that the respirator itself does not create a hazard. Supervisors shall instruct employees on required notification if granted permission to wear dust masks as required in Title 8 CCR, 5144 Appendix D. Below; Respirators are an effective method of protection against designated hazards when properly selected and worn. Respirator use is encouraged even when exposures are below the exposure limit, to provide an additional level of comfort and protection for workers. However, if a respirator is used improperly or not kept clean, the respirator itself can become a hazard to the worker. Sometimes, workers may wear respirators to avoid exposures to hazards, even if the amount of hazardous substance does not exceed the limits set by OSHA standards. If your employer provides respirators for your voluntary use, or if you provide your own respirator, you need to take certain precautions to be sure that the respirator itself does not present a hazard Read and heed all instructions provided by the manufacturer on use, maintenance, cleaning and care, and warnings regarding the respirators limitations. Choose respirators certified for use to protect against the contaminant of concern. NIOSH, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, certifies respirators. A label or statement of certification should appear on the respirator or respirator packaging. It will tell you what the respirator is designed for and how much it will protect you. Do not wear your respirator into atmospheres containing contaminants for which your respirator is not designated to protect against. For example, a respirator designed to filter dust particles will not protect you against gases, vapors or very small solid particles of fumes or smoke. Keep track of your respirator so that you do not mistakenly use someone else's respirator. C. Medical Screening 1. Prior to assigning personnel tasks requiring the use of respirators, employees shall undergo a medical screening. 2. Employees not physically and psychologically capable of wearing respirators shall be assigned to work not requiring respirator protection. Rev. 5/14 3 Respirator Program
3. The medical status of each employee shall be reviewed at least annually. The Company will maintain medical records. D. Fit Testing 1. A trained Otto Construction Employee or an approved substitute will perform fit testing. 2. Records of fit testing will be maintained at the job site and the company s main office. E. Respirator Use Instructions 1. Only those employees who have been properly trained on the specific type of respirator to be worn shall use respirators. 2. All employees whose job assignment requires the use of respirators shall be given respirator training at the time of fit testing before being assigned to the job. Retraining, if necessary, will be performed annually. The company will maintain training records. 3. WARNING: Full faced or half mask cartridge or canister respirators are not to be used where there is an oxygen deficiency. Only air-supplied full-faced respirators should be worn. 4. WARNING: A respirator does not protect against excessive heat or against hazardous substances that can attack the body through the skin. 5. Contact lenses shall not be worn in an atmosphere that requires the use of a respirator. 6. A person wearing a respirator must be clean-shaven in the area of the face piece seal. Long hair, sideburns, and skullcaps that extend under the seal are not allowed. Glasses with temples extending under or through the seal are not allowed. Persons with facial conditions that prevent a proper seal are not allowed to wear full-faced respirators until that facial condition is corrected. Facial conditions that may cause a seal problem include missing dentures, growths, scars, severe acne, etc. 7. Respirators must be properly identified (full-faced and half-face) as follows: Rev. 5/14 4 Respirator Program
a. Full-Faced: The user s name must be on the mask window and on the canister. b. Half-Faced: The user s name must be marked on the top headband of the mask and also on the cartridges. The date of issuance should also be indicated. c. In-Line Air Supplied: No identification is required. 8. Identification markings must not damage any part of the respirator. F. Respirator Inspection 1. The user before and after each day s use shall inspect respirators. 2. Respirators will not be worn by an employee other than the one the respirator was assigned to without it being thoroughly sanitized using the manufacturer s approved method. 3. Inspection Procedure a. Air purifying respirators (half-faced and full-faced cartridge/canister respirators): 1) Examine the facepiece for: a) Excessive dirt b) Cracks, tears, holes, or distortion from improper storage. c) Inflexibility. Stretch and massage to restore flexibility. d) Cracked or badly scratched lenses in full-faced piece. e) Incorrectly mounted full-faced piece lens or broken or missing mounting clips. f) Cracked or broken air purifying element holder(s), badly worn threads, or missing gasket(s) if required. 2) Examine the head straps or head harness for: a) Breaks Rev. 5/14 5 Respirator Program
b) Broken or malfunctioning buckles or attachments. Excessively worn serration s on the head harness that might permit slippage (full facepieces only). 3) Examine the exhalation valve for the following after removing the cover: a) Foreign material, such as detergent residue, dust particles, or human hair under the valve seat. b) Cracks, tears, or distortion in the valve material. c) Improper insertion of the valve body in the face piece. d) Cracks, breaks, or chips in the valve body, particularly in the sealing surface. e) Missing or defective valve cover. f) Improper installation of the valve in the valve body. 4) Examine the air purifying elements for: a) Incorrect cartridge, canister, or filter for the hazards. b) Incorrect installation, loose connections, missing or worn gaskets, or cross-threading in the holder. c) Expired shelf-life date on cartridge or canister. d) Cracks or dents in the outside case of filter, cartridge, or canister. Evidence of a prior use of the sorption cartridge or canister, indicated by the absence of a sealing material, tape, foil, etc. over the inlet. 5) If the device has a corrugated breathing tube, examine it for: a) Broken or missing end connectors b) Missing or loose hose clamps c) Deterioration, determined by stretching the tube and looking for cracks. Rev. 5/14 6 Respirator Program
b. Air-supplied respirators should be inspected as follows: 1) If the device has a tight-fitting face piece, use the procedures outlined for air purifying respirators, except those pertaining to the air purifying elements. 2) If the device is a hood, blouse, or full suit: a) Examine the hood, blouse, or full suit for rips and tears, seam integrity, etc. b) Examine the protective headgear, if required, for general condition, with emphasis on the suspension inside the headgear. c) Examine the protective face shield for cracks or breaks or impaired vision due to rebounding abrasive particles. d) Make sure that the protection screen is intact and secured correctly over the face shield of abrasive blasting hoods and blouses. 3) Examine the air supply system for the: a) Integrity and good condition of air supply lines and hoses, including attachments and end fittings. b) Correct operation and condition of all regulators, valves, or other airflow regulators. G. Cleaning/Sanitizing Respirators 1. Respirators should be cleaned and sanitized according to each manufacturer s instructions. 2. Individually assigned full-faced and half-faced respirators should be cleaned on a daily basis with respirator cleaning pads (70% Isopropanol). 3. As needed, respirators should be sent to the main office to be disassembled, cleaned and sanitized. Rev. 5/14 7 Respirator Program
H. Maintenance of Respirators 1. Otto personnel who have been trained shall be responsible to perform maintenance of respirators. 2. Approved replacement parts must be used. Substitution of parts from a different brand or type of respirator invalidates the approval of the respirator. 3. Examine the exhalation valve for the following after removing the cover: a. Foreign material, such as detergent residue, dust particles or human hair under the valve seat. b. Cracks, tears, or distortion in the valve material. c. Improper insertion of the valve body, particularly in the sealing surface. d. Missing or defective inhalation valve cover. e. Missing or defective exhalation valve cover. f. Improper installation of the valve in the valve body. 4. Examine the air purifying elements for: a. Incorrect cartridge, canister, or filter for the hazards. b. Incorrect installation, loose connections, missing or worn gaskets, or cross threading in the holder. c. Expired shelf life date on the cartridge or canister. d. Cracks or dents in the outside case of filter, cartridge, or canister. Evidence of a prior use of the sorption cartridge or canister, indicated by the absence of a sealing material, tape, foil, etc., over the inlet. 5. If the device has a corrugated breathing tube, examine it for: a. Broken or missing end connectors. b. Missing or loose hose clamps. Rev. 5/14 8 Respirator Program
c. Deterioration determined by stretching the tube and looking for cracks. I. Storage of Respirators 1. When not in use, respirators must be stored to protect them from dust, sunlight, heat, extreme cold, excessive moisture, damaging chemicals, and physical damage. 2. Respirators should be stored in a reusable plastic bag at the end of the shift. 3. The storage environment used at the end of the shift must be clean, dry, and away from direct sunlight. 4. If the respirator is removed during the course of the day, it must be properly stored to eliminate exposure to contaminants. Rev. 5/14 9 Respirator Program