This Safety Instruction defines OSU rules regarding
the use of respirators for personal protection against airborne contaminants
Before respirators are used, feasible engineering
controls must be instituted to provide protection against airborne contaminants
The ability for a respirator to provide adequate protection
is based on proper selection, fit and training
Respirators which are intended for protection against
harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors must NOT be obtained or worn by employees without approval from EH&S and in accordance
with this program
The respirator program is managed by EH&S and
has been established to comply with the OR-OSHA regulations for respiratory
protection
EH&S maintains a supply of different types of
respirators
Respirators should be obtained through EH&S in order
to ensure the proper selection and fit
Off campus facilities and other campus groups who have
a large number of respirator users may obtain their own respirators after
consultation with EH&S
Such groups should contact
EH&S at least every year to review the program and make necessary changes
Use of Respirators
Every employee that wears a respirator on the job, whether
required to wear one or not, shall have it properly fitted prior to initial
use and at all times while performing an operation in a hazardous atmosphere
No employee shall use a respirator or be assigned to
a task that requires the use of a respirator until it has been determined
that the employee is physically able to perform under such conditions
Exception to full program participation: voluntary use of filtering facepiece respirators (dust mask) used in the absence of hazardous materials is allowed after an employee and their supervisor fill out an approval form. More details of this exception can be found on the approval form.
Medical Fitness Evaluation
Process begins with the completion of a medical
questionnaire available from this web site
The questionnaire has been developed in accordance with
OROSHA regulations
Employee returns the questionnaire directly to OSU-Student
Health Services, Occupational Health
A physical will be conducted for those employees who
indicate potential medical problems on the medical questionnaire
After review by the Occupational Health Clinician, EH&S
is notified of the employee's physical ability to wear a respirator
Periodically, a review of the employee's health status
must be made, at the frequency specified by the Occupational Health Clinician,
by completing and submitting another questionnaire
The employing department is responsible for paying all
fees associated with the medical evaluation process.
Selection
The useful life of each respirator or cartridge will
vary depending on the job duties and actual time in use
Each respirator has limitations; for details, refer to
the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations
Air purifying respirators (disposable masks, half or
full face cartridge respirators) will not be used in an environment that has
less than 19.5% oxygen
OSU is responsible for determining the "End of Service
Life" for all respirator/cartridges combinations based on
manufacturer's tests recommendations chemicals used
usage patterns
Consult with EH&S to choose proper respirators and
determine service life
Training of Employees
Each respirator user will be trained on how to use,
check, and maintain respirators
A record will be kept of those employees who have been
trained
Each user must understand and be able to apply the contents
of this respirator program in the daily use, care, and safekeeping of the
respirators
Training will be provided by EH&S or by other groups
in consultation with EH&S and will include the
following:
The reasons for respiratory protection.
The nature, extent, and effects of respiratory hazards
to which the person may be exposed.
Where applicable, an explanation of why engineering
controls are not being applied or are not adequate and of what effort
is being made to reduce or eliminate the need for respirators.
An explanation of why a particular type of respirator
has been selected for a specific respiratory hazard.
An explanation of the operation, and the capabilities
and limitations, of the respirator selected.
Instruction in inspecting, donning, checking the
seal of, and wearing the respirator.
An opportunity for each respirator wearer to handle
the respirator and to wear the respirator, in both a normal atmosphere
and a test atmosphere, for an adequate period of time to ensure that the
wearer is familiar with the operational characteristics of the respirator.
An explanation of how maintenance and storage of
the respirator is carried out.
Instructions in how to recognize and cope with emergency
situations. Instructions as needed for special respirator use.
Regulations concerning respirator use.
Fitting of Respirators
Proper fitting of respirators is essential for employees
to receive the protection for which the respirator is designed
In order to ensure a good face seal, follow the manufacturer's
fitting instructions and the following instructions:
The respirator and all straps should be in place
and worn in the appropriate position.
To adjust head bands, pull the free
end tight until a comfortable and effective fit is obtained.
To adjust the face-piece properly, position chin
firmly in the chin cup and manually shift rubber mask until the most comfortable
position is located.
Make final adjustments on the headband and do not
break the nasal seal.
Modifications to the respirator or straps will not
be made.
BEARDS are not allowed.
Respirators should not be
worn when projections under the face piece prevent a good face seal. Note:
Such conditions may be a growth of beard, sideburns, temple pieces on
glasses, or a skull cap that projects under the face piece.
Respirators should not be worn if scars, hollow
temples, excessively protruding cheekbones, deep creases in facial skin,
the absence of teeth or dentures, or unusual facial configurations prevent
a good face seal.
Each day, to ensure proper protection, the wearer
of a respirator should check the seal of the face-piece by conducting
both a positive and negative pressure test.
Positive and negative pressure
checks will be conducted every time the respirator is put on and prior
to each entry into a hazardous atmosphere
Positive Pressure User Seal Check
Close off exhalation valve with palm
Exhale gently
A small buildup of positive pressure, with
no outward leaks, indicates a good face-piece fit
If air leakage is detected, reposition the
respirator on the face, readjust the tension of the head bands,
or try a different size respirator
Repeat the test until a satisfactory seal
has been achieved
Negative Pressure User Seal Check
Cover air inlets with palms or other means;
if a disposable, cover the entire filtering surface
Gently breathe in so that face-piece collapses
slightly
Hold breath for 10 seconds
If respirator remains slightly collapsed
and no inward leaks are felt, the face-piece fits tight enough If air leakage is detected, reposition the
respirator on the face, readjust the tension of the head bands,
or try a different size respirator
Repeat the test until a satisfactory seal
has been achieved
Required Fit Tests
Fit tests are required on initial issuance of respirators
for all employees
Fit tests will be conducted by EH&S or other approved
groups as outlined in this document
Additional fit tests are required for each employee when
a new type of respirator is issued
Negative pressure respirators, requiring a fit factor
of 100 or less, will be tested using one of the following qualitative fit
procedures:
Isoamyl Acetate Test using
a fit-test tent (preferred method)
BitrexTM (Denatonium Benzoate)
Solution Aerosol Test using a fit-test tent
Irritant Fume Test using
stannic chloride [NO TENT]
Fit testing of respirators requiring a fit factor of
greater than 100 (e.g., tight-fitting atmosphere supplying respirators, such
as SCBA) will be performed with quantitative fit testing
Contact EH&S for additional information or to arrange
a test.
Fit testing must be repeated and
documented at least annually for all employees
Maintenance of Respirators
Respirators need to be maintained to ensure effectiveness
and to prevent chemical and bacterial contamination
Proper maintenance of the respirator is the responsibility
of each employee
Respirators issued for the exclusive use of one
worker should be cleaned after each day's work, or more often if necessary
Additional maintenance should be performed in accordance
with manufacturer's recommendations
Respirators used by more than one worker should
be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each use
Respirators stored for emergency use should be thoroughly
inspected at least once a month and after each use by the responsible
individual
A copy of recent inspection records is to be maintained
at the storage location.
Self-contained air tanks must be hydro-tested at
the frequency specified by the US Department of Transportation for type
of tank, typically 3 or 5 years
Respirator Cleaning and Disinfecting Procedures
Remove all covering assemblies before cleaning and
disinfecting:
Filters, cartridges, canisters
Speaking diaphragms
Demand and pressure-demand valve assemblies
Head band
Any other components recommended by the respirator
manufacturer
Wash respirator and appropriate covering assemblies
as recommended by the manufacturer, in warm cleaner and disinfectant solution
(49oC/120oF max. temp.).
A soft cloth may be used to
help remove dirt or other foreign material.
A recommended disinfecting solution
can be made from ordinary household bleach diluted 1:10 with clear water.
A two minute immersion will disinfect adequately.
Rinse respirator and appropriate covering assemblies
in clean, warm water (49oC/120oF max. temp.).
Shake respirator as needed to remove water residues
and any foreign materials that may still remain.
Inspect parts and replace any parts found defective.
Set
respirator aside to air dry.
When dry, reassemble respirator and attach new filters,
cartridges or canisters if necessary.
Visually inspect and, where possible, test parts and
respirator assemblies for proper function.
After respirator has been cleaned, dried, and inspected
it should be stored in a sealed, clean, sanitary container (zip-lock bag),
away from any source of contaminants.
Respirators should not be hung by straps.
The face-piece, inhalation and exhalation valves must be in a normal position
so as to prevent the abnormal "set" of elastomer parts during storage.
Respirator Program Evaluation
The effectiveness of the respirator program should be evaluated at least annually by supervisors and EH&S
Corrective action should be taken to correct defects
found in the program
Supervisors will monitor the effectiveness of this program
by:
Frequent unscheduled observations of employee activities
throughout the work area to confirm proper respirator use and acceptance
by employees.
Observation of and discussion with new employees
to confirm proper training has been carried out.
