1.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this procedure is to establish guidelines and requirements for use and care of respiratory protective equipment in order to prevent anyone who works or may be required to work in a potentially hazardous atmosphere from being exposed to that hazard.
2.0 RESPONSIBILITY
It is the responsibility of the project manager or his designee at each job site to ensure that each person entering regulated areas is properly trained and that each person wears the required respiratory protection equipment while inside these regulated areas.
3.0 REFERENCES
29 CFR 1910.134
29 CFR 1926.103
ANSI Z88.2-1992
4.0 DEFINITIONS
4.1 Abrasive-Blasting Respirator – A respirator designed to protect the wearer against inhalation of abrasive material and against impact from rebounding abrasive material.
4.2 Administrative Controls – Methods to minimize employee exposures to contaminants utilizing administrative means such as limiting exposure times by job rotation, work assignments, or time periods away from contaminated areas; modifying work practices; or establishing procedures or rules to change behaviors or work practices to minimize activities that lead to or promote higher exposures.
4.3 Air Purifying Respirator – a respirator with an air-purifying filter, cartridge, or canister that removes specific air contaminants by passing ambient air through the air-purifying element.
4.4 Air Supplied Respirator – A respirator that supplies the respirator user with breathing air from a source independent of the ambient atmosphere and includes airline respirators.
4.5 Airline Respirator – an atmosphere-supplying respirator in which clean air is supplied to the respirator through a hose connected to a breathing air system consisting of either a breathing air compressor or a large cylinder(s). This is also known as a Supplied-Air respirator.
4.6 Assigned Protection Factor – The expected workplace level of respiratory protection that would be provided by a properly functioning respirator or a class of respirators to properly fitted and trained users. OSHA is working on this issue and will publish some data later.
4.7 Atmosphere-Supplying Respirator – a respirator that supplies the respirator user with breathing air from a source independent of the ambient atmosphere and includes supplied-air respirators (SARs) and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units.
4.8 Canister or Cartridge – a container with a filter, sorbent, or catalyst, or combination of these items, which removes specific contaminants from the air passed through the container.
4.9 Continuous Flow Respirator – An air-supplied respirator that provides a continuous flow of respirable air to the respirator facepiece.
4.10 Demand Respirator – an atmosphere-supplying respirator that admits breathing air to the facepiece only when negative pressure is created inside the facepiece by inhalation.
4.11 Emergency Situation – any occurrence such as, but not limited to, equipment failure, rupture of containers, or failure of control equipment that may or does result in an uncontrolled significant release of airborne contaminant.
4.12 Employee Exposure – exposure to a concentration of an airborne contaminant that would occur if the employee were not using respiratory protection.
4.13 End-of-Service-Life Indicator – a system that warns the respirator user of the approach of the end of adequate respiratory protection, for example, that the sorbent is approaching saturation or is no longer effective.
4.14 Escape-Only Respirator – a respirator intended to be used only for emergency exit.
4.15 Filter or Air Purifying Element – a component used in respirators to remove solid or liquid aerosols from the inspired air.
4.16 Filtering Facepiece (dusk mask) – a negative pressure particulate respirator with a filter as an integral part of the facepiece or with the entire facepiece composed of the filtering medium.
4.17 Fit Check – A test conducted by the wearer to determine if the respirator is properly sealed to face (i.e.., positive and negative pressure tests).
4.18 Fit Factor – a quantitative estimate of the fit of a particular respirator to a specific individual, and typically estimates the ratio of the concentration of a substance in ambient air to its concentration inside the respirator when worn.
4.19 Fit Test – the use of a protocol to evaluate the fit of a respirator qualitatively or quantitatively on an individual.
4.20 Helmet – a rigid respiratory inlet covering that also provides head protection against impact and penetration.
4.21 High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filter – a filter that is at least 99.97% efficient in removing monodisperse particles of 0.3 micrometers in diameter.
4.22 Hood – a respiratory inlet covering that completely covers the head and neck and may also cover portions of the shoulders and torso. It does not form a tight seal between it and the user.
4.23 Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) – an atmosphere that poses an immediate threat to life, would cause irreversible adverse health effects, or would impair an individual’s ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere.
4.24 Loose-Fitting Facepiece – a respiratory inlet covering that is designed to form a partial seal with the face.
4.25 Negative Pressure Respirator (tight-fitting) – a respirator in which the air pressure inside the facepiece is negative during inhalation with respect to the ambient air pressure outside the respirator.
4.26 Oxygen Deficient Atmosphere – an atmosphere with an oxygen content below 19.5% by volume.
4.27 P-100 Cartridge – Cartridge equivalent to a HEPA cartridge. The “P” signifies that it is “oil proof” and “100” signifies that it is 99.94% efficient in removing aerosol particles having an aerodynamic diameter of 0.3 mm or larger, per the new NIOSH certification scheme.
4.28 Physician or Other licensed Health Care Professional (PLHCP) – an individual whose legally permitted scope of practice (i.e., license, registration, or certification) allows him or her to independently provide, or be delegated the responsibility to provide, some or all of the health care services required by paragraph (e) of the standard.
4.29 Positive Pressure Respirator – a respirator in which the pressure inside the respiratory inlet covering exceeds the ambient air pressure outside the respirator.
4.30 Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) – an air-purifying respirator that uses a blower to force the ambient air through air-purifying elements to the inlet covering.
4.31 Pressure Demand Respirator – a positive pressure atmosphere-supplying respirator that admits breathing air to the facepiece when the positive pressure is reduced inside the facepiece by inhalation.
4.31 Qualitative Fit Test (QLFT) – a pass/fail fit test to assess the adequacy of respirator fit that relies on the individual’s response to the test agent.
4.32 Quantitative Fit Test (QNFT) – an assessment of the adequacy of respirator fit by numerically measuring the amount of leakage into the respirator.
4.33 Respiratory Inlet Covering – that portion of a respirator that forms the protective barrier between the user’s respiratory tract and an air-purifying device or breathing air source, or both. It may be a facepiece, hood, helmet, suit, or a mouthpiece respirator with nose clamp.
4.34 Sanitation – Removal of contaminants and the inhibiting of the action of biological agents that cause infection or disease.
4.35 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) – an atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the breathing air source is designed to be carried by the user.
4.36 Service Life – the period of time that a respirator, filter or sorbent, or other respiratory equipment provides adequate protection to the wearer.
4.37 Tight-Fitting Facepiece – a respiratory inlet covering that forms a complete seal with the face.
4.38 User Seal Check – a procedure conducted by the respirator user to determine if the respirator is properly seated to the face.
5.0 PROCEDURE
5.1 Evaluation of Respiratory Hazards
5.1.1 The project manager, site superintendent, and/or the Corporate Safety Director shall identify and evaluate the potential respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace.
5.1.2 This evaluation shall include a reasonable estimate of employee exposure to respiratory hazard(s) and identification of the contaminant’s chemical state and physical form.
5.1.3 Industrial Hygiene sampling data may also be used to evaluate the need for respiratory protection.
5.1.4 In a workplace where respirators are necessary or required by Nitro, the company shall establish and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures. The program shall be updated as necessary to reflect those changes in workplace conditions that affect respirator use.
5.1.4.1 The program must be administered by a suitably trained program administrator.
5.2 Available Respiratory Protection Equipment
5.2.1 Only NIOSH-approved respiratory protection equipment will be used and will be made available at no cost to the employee.
5.3 Medical Certification
5.3.1 A medical evaluation shall be provided for each employee (at no cost to employee) required to wear a respirator before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace.
5.3.2 A Physician or other Licensed Health Care Professional (PLHCP) shall be identified to perform medical evaluations using the medical questionnaire or an initial medical examination that obtains the same information as the medical questionnaire.
5.3.3 When evaluating employees, the Physician or PLHCP must consider the types, weights, and configurations of the respiratory protective equipment, the typical duration and frequency of use, the types of jobs and work efforts required when respirators are used, other protective equipment that may be worn, and potential temperature and humidity extremes.
5.3.4 The medical questionnaire and examinations shall be administered confidentially during the employee’s normal working hours.
5.3.4.1 The medical questionnaire shall be administered in a manner that ensures that the employee understands its contents.
5.3.4.2 The employee shall be provided with the opportunity to discuss the questionnaire and examination results with the PLHCP
5.3.5 A written recommendation shall be obtained from the PLHCP regarding the employee’s ability to use the respirator(s). The recommendation shall provide only the following information:
5.3.5.1 Any limitations on respirator use related to the medical condition of the employee; or
5.3.5.2 Relating to the workplace conditions in which the respirator will be used, including whether the employee is medically able to use the respirator.
5.3.5.3 The need, if any, for follow-up medical evaluations; and
5.3.5.4 A statement that the PLHCP has provided the employee with a copy of the PLHCP’s written recommendation.
5.4 Training
5.4.1 All employees who may be required to wear a respirator shall be trained in the proper use of respiratory protective equipment.
5.4.2 Training will be conducted on an annual basis for employees who use or may use respiratory protection equipment.
5.4.3 Basic respiratory protection training will consist of the following:
5.4.3.1 Why the respirator is necessary and the impact of an improper fit, usage, or maintenance.
5.4.3.2 Respiratory hazards in the workplace.
5.4.3.3 Capabilities and limitations of respirators used.
5.4.3.4 How to inspect, don/doff and check the fit of the respirator.
5.4.3.5 Maintenance and storage procedures.
5.4.3.6 Medical signs and symptoms that may limit effective respirator use or indicate improper use.
5.4.3.7 General requirements of 29 CFR 1910.134.
5.5 Fit Testing
5.5.1 No employee shall be assigned to a task requiring respiratory protection until that employee has been successfully fit tested.
5.5.2 Employees assigned to tasks requiring respiratory protection will be qualitatively or quantitatively fit tested on an annual basis.
5.5.2.1 A protocol for performing qualitative fit tests is shown in NCS Form 013.
5.5.2.2 A protocol for performing quantitative fit tests is shown in NCS Form 014.
5.5.2.3 The form which shall be used to document fit test results is shown in
NCS Form 012.
5.5.3 Employees are to perform positive and negative pressure self-fit checks on their own respirators before entering any area requiring respiratory protection.
5.5.4 No employee will be fit tested or allowed to use respiratory protection unless he is clean-shaven in all face-sealing areas.
5.6 Facial Hair Prohibition
5.6.1 No one is permitted to wear a tight-fitting respirator at the site unless free of facial hair in the face-sealing areas for the respirator and the employee does not have hair that interferes with the exhalation valve or other respirator parts.
5.6.2 Typically, the only facial hair which may be worn by respirator users includes:
5.6.2.1 Mustaches within the “smile” lines.
5.6.2.2 A small line of hair beneath the mouth.
5.6.2.3 Sideburns outside the face-sealing area.
5.7 Use of Corrective Lenses
5.7.1 Standard prescription glasses cannot be worn inside full-face respirators due to their interference with proper mask-to-face seals.
5.7.2 When necessary, prescription glasses mounted completely inside the facepiece will be provided for employees with current (less than one-year-old) prescriptions from their eye doctors.
5.7.3 Contact lenses may also be worn inside respirator facepieces.
5.8 Use of Dentures
5.8.1 Dentures may be worn while using a respirator only if those dentures were worn while the respirator was fit tested.
5.9 Storage of Respirators
5.9.1 Routine-use respirators shall be stored in sealed plastic bags inside clean storage cabinets.
5.9.2 Respirators intended for emergency use must be stored in clearly marked compartments used only for their storage and must always be quickly accessible.
5.9.3 Respirators shall not be stored in toolboxes unless they are kept in plastic bags inside carrying cases or cartons.
5.9.4 Supervisors will keep general-use respirator storage cabinets in their areas of responsibility. This will be properly stocked, cleaned, organized, and accessible to employees.
5.9.5 Cylinders that are kept in long-term storage shall be stored at reduced pressure (e.g., 50 psi or less) in the vertical position (valve up).
5.10 Respirator Inspections
5.10.1 Respirator users are responsible for inspecting their own respirators prior to each use.
5.10.2 Emergency or rescue use respirators must be inspected monthly and after each use.
5.10.2.1 These inspections shall include a check for tightness of connections; for the condition of the facepieces, hoses, and other components; for the proper function of regulators and alarms; and to ensure that cylinders are properly charged.
5.10.3 Sample inspection guidelines and check sheets are included in NCS Form 015.
5.11 Selection and Use of Respiratory Protective Equipment
5.10.1 The selection of respiratory protection equipment for use in any operation will consider the following factors:
5.11.1.1 Potential airborne hazard(s) associated with the operation or process,
5.11.1.2 Physical and chemical properties of the contaminant(s),
5.11.1.3 Adverse health effects of the contaminant(s),
5.11.1.4 Relevant Permissible Exposure Limit(s),
5.11.1.5 Measured concentration(s) of the contaminant(s),
5.11.1.6 Worker activities in the operation,
5.11.1.7 Potential stress of work conditions on employees wearing the respirators,
5.11.1.8 Respirator fit test results.
5.11.2 Respirators shall be selected from those approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for use in atmospheres containing the hazard from which the employee must be protected. A NIOSH approved respirator contains the following:
5.11.2.1 An assigned identification number placed on each unit.
5.11.2.2 A label identifying the type of hazard the respirator is designed to protect against.
5.11.2.3 Additional information on the label which indicates limitations and identifies the component parts approved for use with the basic unit.
5.11.2.4 The following protection factors (PFs) will be used for selection purposes at the site:
Air-Purifying Full-Face Respirator PF=50
Powered Air-Purifying Full-Face Respirator PF=50
Airline Respirator PF=1000
SCBA (Pressure Demand Mode) PF>1000
5.12 Respirator Use – General
5.12.1 Users must properly inspect, don, and fit check their respirators prior to entering the area requiring respirator use.
5.12.2 Employees will use respirators when required by job/operating procedures and/or PPE Matrix.
5.12.3 Air-purifying respirators cannot be used in oxygen-deficient areas or for protection against materials with poor warning properties.
5.12.4 Users may leave a respirator area at any time for relief from respirator use in the event of equipment malfunction, physical or psychological distress, or any other condition that might require such relief.
5.12.5 Respirator cartridges are to be changed according to the manufacturer’s change schedule or when odors, taste, or breathing resistance are detected, whichever occurs first. Contact the HSE Department for help in using the manufacturer’s change schedules. In no case shall a cartridge be used for more than one workday.
5.12.6 The respirator user is responsible for tracking cartridge use times.
5.13 Air Supplied Respirator Use
5.13.1 Only Grade D Breathing air (not oxygen) shall be used when cylinders are used to provide breathing air to employees using ALR’s. Cylinders must meet DOT requirements. Cylinders must be secured at all times to prevent them from falling.
5.13.1.1 Pure oxygen will never be used for respiratory protection purposes.
5.13.2 Compressors will be designed, installed, and maintained by competent personnel with particular emphasis on proper air intake location.
5.13.2.1 Intakes should be located away from areas that could be contaminated.
5.13.2.2 Trucks, cars, and other vehicles shall be prohibited from idling or parking near air intakes.
5.13.2.3 Filters shall be tagged or labeled to show when they were last replaced and by whom.
5.13.3 Oil-lubricated compressors shall have a high-temperature alarm or carbon monoxide alarm, or both.
5.13.3.1 If only high-temperature alarms are used, the air supply shall be tested frequently (i.e., before each use) to ensure carbon monoxide in the breathing air is not exceeding 10 parts per million (ppm).
5.13.3.2 Systems need to be equipped with a low-pressure alarm unless they will be monitored visually and continuously during use by a standby person, not the user.
5.14 Respirators For Emergency Use
5.14.1 In many instances the work being performed will be on job sites where hazardous chemicals and/or materials are being utilized by the client. When working around hazardous substances the employees should familiarize themselves with the materials and respirators in the immediate area that the client supplies in the event of a hazardous chemical leak.
5.14.2 In situations where known concentrations of known potential respiratory hazards exist, appropriate air-purifying or air-supplied respirators may be used in accordance with the above-mentioned issuance requirements.
5.14.3 In situations where unknown concentrations of potential respiratory hazards exist, this is considered an Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) atmosphere. Only positive pressure SCBA units or airline full-face respirators with an in-line escape unit shall be used.
5.14.4 In IDLH areas, at least one standby person shall be stationed outside the IDLH area for each person in the area. A minimum of two entrants shall enter an IDLH area.
5.14.4.1 Standby personnel shall be in constant visual, voice, or signal line communication with the IDLH area entrants. If contact is lost, the area must be exited by the entrants.
5.14.4.2 Standby personnel shall call for help and wait for that help to arrive before entering the IDLH area to perform a rescue.
5.14.4.3 Standby personnel located outside of the IDLH atmosphere are equipped with SCBAs and appropriate retrieval equipment for removing the employee(s) who enter these hazardous atmospheres where retrieval equipment would contribute to the rescue of the employee(s).
5.14.4.3 Air-supplied respirator users shall use in-line escape units and shall wear either safety harnesses attached to safety lines and/or standby personnel must be equipped with SCBAs.
5.15 Cleaning and Sanitizing Respirators
5.15.1 Users are to clean their own respirators after each day’s use, or more often, if necessary.
5.15.2 Respirators used by more than one worker shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each use. A sample cleaning procedure can be found in NCS Form 016.
5.16 Voluntary Use of Respiratory Protection
5.16.1 When respirator use is not required, an employer may provide respirators at the request of employees or permit employees to use their own respirators if the employer determines that such respirator use will not create a hazard.
5.16.2 If the employer determines that any voluntary respirator use is permissible, the employer shall provide the respirator user with the information contained in Appendix D of 29 CFR 1910.134 titled “Information for Employees Using Respirators When Not Required Under the Standard” (See NCS Form 018 of this procedure).
5.16.3 The employer must establish and implement those elements of a written respiratory protection program necessary to ensure that any employee using a respirator voluntarily is medically able to use that respirator and that the respirator is cleaned, stored, and maintained so that it does not present a health hazard to the user.
5.16.4 Exception: Employers are not required to include in a written respiratory protection program those employees whose only use of respirators involves the voluntary use of dust masks.
6.0 RECORDKEEPING
6.1 Medical Evaluations are required to be retained and shall include the following as a minimum:
6.1.1 Records of a medical questionnaire
6.1.2 A copy of the PLHCP’s written opinion and recommendations, including the results of relevant medical examinations and tests (where applicable).
6.2 Fit test records shall contain the name or identification number of the employee being tested, type of fit test performed (QLFT or QNFT), specific make, model, style, and size of the respirator tested, and the date of the fittest.
6.2.1 Qualitative Fit Test – contain the Pass/Fail results
6.2.2 Quantitative Fit Test – the strip chart and fit factor achieved or other recordings of the results.
6.2.3 Fit tests shall be retained until the next fit test has been administered.
7.0 APPENDICES
7.1 NCS Form 012 – Respiratory Protection Program Respirator Fit Form
7.2 NCS Form 013 – Qualitative Fit Test Procedure Protocol
7.3 NCS Form 014 – Quantitative Fit Test Procedure Protocol
7.4 NCS Form 015 – Respirator Guidelines and Checklists
7.5 NCS Form 016 – Cleaning Procedure
7.6 NCS Form 017 – Physician’s Written Opinion Form
7.7 NCS Form 018 – (Mandatory) Information for Employees Using Respirators When Not Required Under the Standard