Versin: 5 Page: 1 f 10 Table f Cntents 1.0 Intrductin... 2 1.1 Purpse... 2 1.2 Scpe... 2 1.3 Definitins... 2 1.4 Respnsibilities... 3 Emry Envirnmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO)... 3 Supervisrs and Management... 3 Emplyees... 3 Occupatinal Health... 3 1.5 Training Requirements... 3 1.6 Recrdkeeping Requirements... 4 1.7 Prgram Evaluatin... 4 2.0 Prcedure fr Selectin and Issuance f Respiratrs... 5 3.0 Medical Evaluatins f Emplyees Required t Wear Respiratrs... 5 4.0 Fit Testing... 6 5.0 Use f Respiratrs... 6 6.0 Immediately Dangerus t Life and Health (IDLH) Atmspheres... 7 7.0 Maintenance and Care f Respiratrs... 7 Table 1.0 Respiratr Cleaning Intervals... 8 8.0 Vluntary Use f Respiratrs... 8 9.0 Respiratr Strage... 8 10.0 Inspectin f Respiratrs... 8 11.0 Breathing Air Quality and Use fr Air Supplied Respiratrs... 9 12.0 Identificatin f Filters, Cartridges, and Canisters... 9 13.0 References... 9 14.0 List f Assciated Dcuments... 10
Versin: 5 Page: 2 f 10 1.0 Intrductin 1.1 Purpse The dcument serves as a guide fr the use f respiratry prtectin (use f respiratrs) at Emry University. All emplyees f Emry are subject t this prgram. This guide fllws requirements f the Occupatinal Health and Safety Administratin (OSHA) as fund in 29 CFR 1910.134. 1.2 Scpe Emplyees f Emry University and/r Emry Healthcare that are ptentially expsed t respiratry hazards nt adequately cntrlled by administrative r engineering cntrls are subject t this respiratry prtectin prgram. 1.3 Definitins OHS. Occupatinal Health Services. EHSO. Emry Envirnmental Health and Safety Office. Emergency. Any ccurrence such as, but nt limited t, equipment failure, rupture f cntainers, r failure f cntrl equipment that may r des result in an uncntrlled significant release f an airbrne cntaminant. Immediately Dangerus t Life r Health (IDLH). An atmsphere that pses an immediate threat t life, wuld cause irreversible adverse health effects, r wuld impair an individual s ability t escape frm a dangerus atmsphere. Negative Pressure Respiratr (tight fitting). Tight sealed respiratr, in which the air pressure inside the face piece is negative during inhalatin with respect t the ambient air pressure utside the respiratr. NIOSH. Natinal Institute fr Occupatinal Safety and Health. OSHA. Occupatinal Safety and Health Administratin. Pwered Air-Purifying Respiratr (PAPR). An air-purifying respiratr that uses a blwer t frce the ambient air thrugh air-purifying elements t the inlet cvering. There are tw types: Tight Fitting Tight seal arund the face. The emplyee must be fit tested. Lse Fitting Lse fitting hd r cuff. Fit Testing is nt required. Prgram Administratr. Emry EHSO serves as the institutinal Prgram Administratr. Self-Cntained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). Atmsphere-supplying (tank) respiratr fr which the breathing air surce carried by the user.
Versin: 5 Page: 3 f 10 1.4 Respnsibilities Emry Envirnmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO) The Envirnmental Health & Safety Office s (EHSO) respnsibilities include: Develpment and maintenance f the Respiratr Prtectin Prgram. Wrk place assessment f respiratry expsure and when feasible, implement engineering cntrls. Determinatin fr required respiratry prtectin, if any. Selectin f apprpriate types f respiratrs. Develpment f training n the selectin, use, care, cleaning and strage f respiratry prtectin. Management and ffering f respiratr fit testing. Serve as Prgram Administratr. Review, evaluatin f the verall effectiveness and subsequent update f the Respiratr Prgram. Supervisrs and Management Supervisrs and Management are respnsible fr the implementatin, management and enfrcement f the Respiratr Prtectin Prgram in their areas. These duties include: Ensuring hazard assessments have been cmpleted and when pssible, implement engineering cntrls. Ntificatin t EHSO when there are prcess r wrk place changes that may affect emplyee expsure t hazardus substances. Ensuring emplyees receive required training. Ensuring emplyees are medically evaluated and fit tested. Ensuring emplyee cmpliance with the respiratry prtectin prgram. Emplyees Emplyees that are required t use respiratry prtectin are respnsible fr cmplying with the requirements set frth by this prgram including: Hw t recgnize and reprt ptential hazards t supervisr. Hw t use and wear respiratr prtectin as required. Hw t inspect, clean, maintain and stre respiratr as trained. Occupatinal Health Occupatinal Health Services (OHS) is respnsible fr cnducting medical evaluatins t ensure that the emplyee is able t physically perfrm the assigned wrk while wearing a respiratr, including: Initial medical evaluatin, including administratin f the medical questinnaire and any necessary fllw-up medical examinatin. Onging medical surveillance as required fr respiratry prtectin. Retentin f all related medical dcuments fr a minimum f thirty (30) years beynd the last date f emplyment by the emplyee. 1.5 Training Requirements Initial and annual Respiratry Prtectin training cvers the fllwing: Respiratry hazards t which they are ptentially expsed.
Versin: 5 Page: 4 f 10 Why a respiratr is necessary and hw imprper fit, usage r maintenance can cmprmise the prtective effect f the respiratr. What the limitatins and capabilities f a respiratr are. Hw t use a respiratr effectively in emergency situatins, including situatins in which the respiratr malfunctins. Hw t inspect, put n and remve, use and check the seals f a respiratr. What the prcedures are fr maintenance and strage f a respiratr. Hw t recgnize medical signs and symptms that may limit r prevent the effective use f a respiratr. General requirements f the OSHA Respiratry Prtectin standard (29 CFR 1910.134). Retraining is prvided annually and/r when any f the fllwing situatins ccur: Changes in the wrkplace r the type f respiratr render previus training bslete; Inadequacies in the emplyee's knwledge r use f the respiratr indicate that the emplyee has nt retained the requisite understanding r skill; r Additinal circumstances where retraining is required t ensure safe respiratr use. The basic advisry infrmatin n respiratrs, as presented in (Mandatry) Infrmatin fr Emplyees Using Respiratrs When nt required Under Standard. - 1910.134 App D is prvided in any written r ral frmat t emplyees wh wear respiratrs when such use is nt required. 1.6 Recrdkeeping Requirements Recrds f medical evaluatins required by this sectin are retained and made available in OHS in accrdance with 29 CFR 1910.1020. The recrds are retained fr the length f emplyment plus 30 years. EHSO retains fit test recrds including: The name r identificatin f the emplyee tested. Type f fit test perfrmed. Specific make, mdel, style and size f respiratr tested. Date f test. The pass/fail results fr fit testing. Fit test recrds are maintained fr 1 year. 1.7 Prgram Evaluatin The Prgram Administratr is respnsible fr evaluating the written Respiratry Prtectin Prgram t ensure that it is prperly implemented, and there is cntinued cmpliance with the OSHA Respiratr Standard. The Prgram Administratr will regularly cnsult with emplyees required t use respiratrs t assess emplyees views n prgram effectiveness. Factrs t be assessed include, but are nt limited t: Respiratr fit (including the ability t use the respiratr withut interfering with effective wrkplace perfrmance). Apprved list f respiratrs fr apprpriate respiratr selectin fr the hazards t
Versin: 5 Page: 5 f 10 which the emplyee is expsed. (See EHSO website lcated at www.ehs.emry.edu fr Apprved Respiratrs) Prper respiratr use under the wrkplace cnditins the emplyee encunters. Prper respiratr maintenance. 2.0 Prcedure fr Selectin and Issuance f Respiratrs The Prgram Administratr in cllabratin with area directrs r managers will ensure the fllwing: Wrkplace expsure mnitring is cnducted t qualitatively r quantitatively evaluate the emplyees expsure t airbrne hazards. If a determinatin is made that emplyee expsure necessitates the use f respiratry prtectin then: Selectin f apprpriate type f respiratr is based upn the respiratry hazards in the wrk area identified in the hazard assessment. The chice f respiratrs is frm a selectin f varius mdels and sizes t ensure a prper fit can be maintained fr the user frm the NIOSH apprved respiratr list n the EHSO website. Any deviatin in respiratr selectin must be apprved by the Prgram Administratr. In additin, peridic mnitring, based upn the regulatry requirements f the airbrne hazard, will be cnducted. Supervisrs/Management is respnsible fr purchasing the apprpriate respiratr recmmended by the Prgram Administratr. See apprved respiratr list n the EHSO website. 3.0 Medical Evaluatins f Emplyees Required t Wear Respiratrs An OHS physician r ther medically cmpetent healthcare prvider cnducts a medical evaluatin t determine if the emplyee is medically cmpetent fr use a respiratr. The evaluatin includes: Cmpletin f the OSHA Respiratry Prtectin Questinnaire. A fllw-up medical examinatin may be prvided if indicated by the Medical Evaluatin Questinnaire. The medical questinnaire and examinatins are administered cnfidentially during the emplyee's nrmal wrking hurs r at a time and place cnvenient t the emplyee. The medical questinnaire is administered in a manner that ensures that the emplyee understands its cntent. The emplyee is given the pprtunity t discuss the questinnaire and examinatin results with OHS at the time f the examinatin. Upn cmpletin f the medical evaluatin, OHS prvides the Prgram Administratr and the Supervisr/Manager that the emplyee is: Cleared withut limitatins, Cleared with limitatins r Nt Cleared. Any limitatins n respiratr use related t the medical cnditin f the emplyee r relating t the wrkplace cnditins in which the respiratr will be used, including whether r nt the emplyee is medically able t use the respiratr. The need fr any fllw-up medical evaluatins. A statement that OHS has prvided the emplyee with a cpy f their written recmmendatin.
Versin: 5 Page: 6 f 10 If OHS identifies a medical cnditin that may place the emplyee's health at increased risk when wearing a negative pressure respiratr, the Prgram Administratr will wrk with OHS and the emplyee t evaluate alternative respiratry prtectin. The emplyee cmpletes and OHS reviews the Emry Medical Questinnaire annually. Additinal medical evaluatins are prvided t the emplyee if: An emplyee reprts medical signs r symptms that are related t their ability t use a respiratr. OHS, emplyee manager, supervisr r the Prgram Administratr deems it necessary that the emplyee be re-evaluated. Infrmatin frm the respiratry prtectin prgram, including bservatins made during fit testing and prgram evaluatin, indicates a need fr emplyee re-evaluatin. A change ccurs in wrkplace cnditins (e.g., physical wrk effrt, prtective clthing, and temperature) that may result in a substantial increase in the physilgical burden placed n an emplyee. 4.0 Fit Testing Emplyees using tight-fitting face piece respiratrs will need t pass an annual qualitative r quantitative fit test. Emplyees using tight-fitting face piece respiratrs are fit tested prir t initial use f the respiratrs, whenever a different respiratr face piece (size, style, mdel r make) is used, and at least annually thereafter. An additinal fit test is cnducted whenever the emplyee reprts, r Emplyee Health Services, the, manager r supervisr, r the Prgram Administratr makes visual bservatins f changes in the emplyee's physical cnditin that culd affect respiratr fit. Such cnditins include - but are nt limited t - facial scarring, dental changes, csmetic surgery r an bvius change in bdy weight. If after passing a qualitative fit test, the emplyee subsequently ntifies the Prgram Administratr, emplyee s manager r supervisr, r OHS that the fit f the respiratr is unacceptable, the emplyee is given a reasnable pprtunity t select a different respiratr face piece and be retested. Fit testing is nt required when using lse fitting PAPRs r SCBAs. Qualitative fit testing f tight fitting Self-Cntaining Breathing Apparatus (SCBAs) and Pwered Air-Purifying Respiratrs (PAPRs) are accmplished by temprarily cnverting the respiratr user's actual face piece int a negative pressure respiratr with apprpriate filters r by using an identical negative pressure air-purifying respiratr face piece with the same sealing surfaces as a surrgate fr the atmsphere-supplying r pwered air-purifying respiratr face piece. Nte that qualitative fit testing f SCBAs and PAPRs des nt prvide full fit prtectin. Nte: Quantitative fit testing is required t achieve full fit prtectin. 5.0 Use f Respiratrs Respiratrs with tight-fitting face pieces are nt t be wrn by emplyees wh have:
Versin: 5 Page: 7 f 10 Facial hair that cmes between the sealing surface f the face piece and the face r that interferes with valve functin; r Any cnditin that interferes with the face-t-face piece seal r valve functin. If an emplyee wears crrective glasses r gggles r ther persnal prtective equipment, the equipment is wrn in a manner that des nt interfere with the seal f the face piece t the face f the user. The emplyee perfrms a user seal check each time they put n a tight fitting negative pressure respiratr using the User Seal Check Prcedures (Mandatry). - 1910.134 App B-1 r prcedures recmmended by the respiratr manufacturer that the emplyer demnstrates are as effective as thse in Appendix B-1 f the Respiratry Prtectin Standard. (This is als knwn as the negative and psitive fit test.) Supervisrs are respnsible fr surveillance f the wrk area cnditins and degree f emplyee expsure r stress. When there is a change in wrk area cnditins r degree f emplyee expsure r ther factrs that may affect respiratr effectiveness, the supervisr infrms the Prgram Administratr. Respiratry prtectin needs are then re-evaluated. Emplyees are required t leave the respiratr use area under any f the fllwing situatins: T wash their faces r respiratr face pieces as necessary t prevent eye r skin irritatin assciated with respiratr use; r If the emplyee detects vapr r gas breakthrugh, changes in breathing resistance, r leakage f the face piece; r T replace the respiratr r the filter, cartridge, r canister elements. If the emplyee detects vapr r gas breakthrugh, changes in breathing resistance, r leakage f the face piece, the respiratr is replaced r repaired befre the emplyee is allwed t return t the wrk area. Emplyees wearing respiratrs equipped with chemical cartridge respiratrs are required t change the chemical cartridge as recmmended by the manufacturer r when there is a chemical breakthrugh. 6.0 Immediately Dangerus t Life and Health (IDLH) Atmspheres If the cncentratin r identity f a hazardus material is nt knwn r is abve an IDLH level Emry emplyees are nt allwed t enter. Immediately cntact a supervisr and/r EHSO. 7.0 Maintenance and Care f Respiratrs Respiratrs must be kept clean, sanitary and in gd wrking cnditin: Prcedures fr cleaning and disinfecting are fund in 1910.134 App B-2. Prcedures recmmended by the respiratr manufacturer, if such prcedures are f equivalent effectiveness may be fllwed. Cleaning and disinfecting is nt necessary fr single use respiratrs. Discard after use. Elastmer respiratrs are cleaned and disinfected at the intervals listed in Table 1.0.
Versin: 5 Page: 8 f 10 Table 1.0 Respiratr Cleaning Intervals RESPIRATORS ISSUE USE CLEANING & DISINFECTION INTERVAL Exclusive use f an emplyee. Often as necessary t be maintained in a sanitary cnditin. Issued t mre than ne emplyee. Befre being wrn by different individuals. Maintained fr emergency use. Fit testing and training when fit testing using shared respiratrs. After each use. After each use. 8.0 Vluntary Use f Respiratrs Emplyees may chse t wear respiratrs in situatins where wrkplace cnditins d nt require respiratry prtectin. Emplyees that vluntarily chse t wear tight-fitting respiratrs, ther than single use dust masks (e.g. N95), must be medically evaluated and fit tested. All emplyees vlunteering t wear respiratrs must read and sign the Vluntary Use f Respiratrs dcument fund n the EHSO website. 9.0 Respiratr Strage All respiratrs are stred t prtect frm damage, cntaminatin, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive misture and damaging chemicals. They are als stred t prevent defrmatin f the face piece and exhalatin valve. Additinally, emergency respiratrs are: Kept immediately accessible t the wrk area. Stred in cmpartments r in cvers that are clearly marked as cntaining emergency respiratrs. Stred in accrdance with any applicable manufacturer instructins. 10.0 Inspectin f Respiratrs Respiratrs used in rutine situatins are inspected befre each use and during cleaning. Respiratrs maintained fr use in emergency situatins are inspected at least mnthly and in accrdance with the manufacturers recmmendatins, and are checked fr prper functin befre and after each use. Respiratr inspectins include the fllwing: Check f respiratr functin, tightness f cnnectins and the cnditin f the varius parts including, but nt limited t, the face piece, head straps, valves, cnnecting tube and cartridges, canisters r filters. Inspect elastmeric parts fr pliability and signs f deteriratin. Breathing air cylinders are maintained in a fully charged state and are recharged when the pressure falls t 90% f the manufacturer's recmmended pressure level. SCBA regulatr and warning devices are checked mnthly t ensure that they are functining prperly and dcumented with the date the inspectin was perfrmed, the name (r signature) f the persn wh made the inspectin, the
Versin: 5 Page: 9 f 10 findings, required remedial actin and a serial number r ther means f identifying the inspected respiratr. This inspectin infrmatin is prvided n a tag r label that is attached t the strage cmpartment fr the respiratr, is kept with the respiratr, r is included in inspectin reprts stred as paper r electrnic files. This infrmatin is maintained until replaced fllwing a subsequent certificatin. Respiratrs that fail an inspectin r are therwise fund t be defective are remved frm service and discarded r repaired r adjusted in accrdance with the fllwing prcedures: Repairs r adjustments t respiratrs are made nly by persns apprpriately trained t perfrm such peratins, and nly the respiratr manufacturer's NIOSH-apprved parts designed fr the respiratr are used. Repairs are made accrding t the manufacturer's recmmendatins and specificatins fr the type and extent f repairs t be perfrmed. Reducing and admissin valves, regulatrs, and alarms are adjusted r repaired nly by the manufacturer r a technician trained by the manufacturer. 11.0 Breathing Air Quality and Use fr Air Supplied Respiratrs Breathing air supply must meet the fllwing requirements: Cylinders are tested and maintained as prescribed in the Shipping Cntainer Specificatin Regulatins f the 49 CFR Part 173 and 49 CFR Part 178. Cylinders f purchased breathing air have a certificate f analysis frm the supplier that the breathing air meets the requirements fr Grade D breathing air. The misture cntent in the cylinder des nt exceed a dew pint f -50 F (- 45.6ºC) at 1 atmsphere pressure. 12.0 Identificatin f Filters, Cartridges, and Canisters All filters, cartridges and canisters used at Emry are labeled and clr-cded with the NIOSH-apprval label, the label is nt remved and is legible. Filters, cartridges r canisters are changed as needed and at least nce a year during the annual training and fit testing. 13.0 References Respiratry Prtectin Standard - 29 CFR 1910.134 OSHA Respiratr Medical Evaluatin Questinnaire (Mandatry). - 1910.134 App C User Seal Check Prcedures (Mandatry). - 1910.134 App B-1 Respiratr Cleaning Prcedures (Mandatry). - 1910.134 App B-2 49 CFR Part 173 49 CFR Part 178 (Mandatry) Infrmatin fr Emplyees Using Respiratrs When nt required Under Standard. - 1910.134 App D 29 CFR 1910.1020
Versin: 5 Page: 10 f 10 14.0 List f Assciated Dcuments Assciated Dcuments fund n the EHSO web site: Vluntary Use f Respiratrs. Respiratr Fit Test Frm. Medical Surveillance Wrksheet.