Respiratory Protection Program

Defines standard operating procedures to ensure the protection of all employees from respiratory hazards

Includes:◦ Selection and Use◦ Cleaning and Maintenance

Program

Employee Exposure: exposure to a concentration of an airborne containment that would occur if the employee were not using respiratory protection

FIT Factor: A quantitative estimate of the fit of a particular respirator to a specific individual

FIT Test: A way to evaluate the fit of a respirator on an individual

Definitions

Hazardous Atmospheres: Atmosphere that contains contaminant (s) in excess of the allowable limit or has less than 19.5% oxygen. Contaminants can be generated from direct handling of chemical containing products or as a by-product from regular operations.

Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH): Atmosphere that poses an immediate threat to life, or would impair an individual’s ability to escape. IDHL for chlorine is 10 ppm.

Definitions

Protection Factor: A ratio of the air contaminate concentration outside the respirator to the air contaminate inside the respirator◦ A protection factor of 10 means that the respirator can

reduce air contaminates by a factor of 10 Maximum Use Concentration: The mathematical

product of the permissible exposure limit (PEL) and the assigned protection factor◦ Chlorine has a PEL of 0.5ppm. If you have a respirator

with a protection factor of 10, then the maximum use concentration would be 5ppm (0.5ppm x 10 = 5ppm)

Definitions

Qualitative FIT Test: A pass/fail test that relies on an individuals response to the test

Quantitative FIT Test: A test performed by a computer to numerically measure the amount a respirator leaks

Definitions

User Seal Check: An action performed by the user to ensure a proper seal each time the mask is worn

NIOSH: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. They test and issue approvals for respirators

Definitions

Different respirators are used for different work environments and different jobs/tasks

Different respirators have different service lives (typically cartridge life)

Different respirators can protect from different/stronger contaminants

Selection and Use

What do you need protecting from?◦ Physical, chemical, and toxicological

determination of all possible contaminants◦ Odor threshold data◦ NIOSH recommended exposure limit◦ ACGIH threshold limit value◦ OSHA permissible exposure limit◦ IDLH concentrations◦ Eye irritation potential◦ How quickly do these contaminants effect

respirators and cartridges

Criteria for Selecting a Respirator

Monitoring should be done to determine the potential for employee exposure

The data collected during this monitoring should be put into a report and distributed to all employees

The monitoring should take place in normal work conditions

Industrial Hygiene Monitoring

Employees working in the process area must carry at least a “Half mask respirator” at all times that will allow evacuation in hazardous atmosphere conditions

In many cases a respirator is required as a precaution in the event of a process upset (ie Chlorine Leak)

An employee should not attempt to deal with an emergency situation when the atmosphere is unknown

Respirator Use

1. First Break involving certain chemicals◦ The list of chemicals can be found in the PPE

section◦ The respirator must be worn for 5-10 min after the

first break has been performed◦ In the event of a release the respirator is used as

an escape respirator 2. Loading Hydrochloric Acid

◦ Respirators are worn during the connect and disconnect process as a precaution

◦ The respirator should be worn for approximately 5-10 minutes per connection

Half Mask and Full face Cartridge Required If…

All the visitor, temporary employees and contractor are required to carry an escape respirator while on the process.

Brief training regarding the use of escape respirator is proved to all the visitors and contractor before entering the plant.

These respirator is to used for escape purpose only and employees should not attempt to deal with the gas release wearing an escape respirator.

Escape Respirator

One example of an engineering control in use at our facility that helps control atmospheric contamination is Chlorine Sensor AIG110.

A specific example of an operation at our facility that generates air contaminants or hazardous atmospheres is the acid column.

The specific type of respirator we use at our facility is a full face respirator for loading acid and in special circumstances. Half mask respirators are used for general respiratory precautions.

Our Facility

At our facility:

The location of the written respiratory protection program can be found in the Safety and Environmental manual.

The place I will store my respirator when not in use is my personal locker.

Our Facility (cont’d)

Respirator users must receive annual training in basic maintenance, inspection, and cleaning. Additional training includes FIT testing (also annually) and any other manufacturers specifications

Negative pressure respirators should not be used when facial scars interfere with the seal

No respirator can be used when any facial hair is present that could interfere with the seal

Restrictions and Requirements for Respirator Use

Workers cannot be exposed to unvarying concentrations of hazardous substances. Individual exposures may vary throughout the facility, a work shift, or days.

The highest concentration of contaminate should be used to compute the required protection factor

Respirator wearers should be aware of the variability in human response to the warning properties of hazardous substances

A user seal check must be completed every time a cartridge respirator is put on

Restrictions and Requirements for Respirator Use

Annual Requirement Must be performed using an exact copy of

the respirator that the employee will wear (Can be the exact respirator that will be worn)

Can be done using a qualitative or quantitative method

FIT Testing protocols must comply with OSHA requirements

FIT Testing

DO NOT supply oxygen For use in areas containing 19.5% oxygen DO NOT use when concentrations of

contaminants are unknown Leave area if:

◦ Breathing becomes difficult◦ Dizziness or distress occurs◦ Taste or smell contaminant

Follow all instructions carefully Never alter or modify

Air Purifying Respirators

1. Headbands: Check to see they have their elasticity. Look for cracks or tears.

2. Face Piece: Check for dirt, cracks, tears, or holes. Inspect for distortion and make sure rubber is still flexible.

Preparations for Use (5 Points)

3. Inhalation/Exhalation Valves: Check for cracks, tears, dirt, and build up of materials.

4. Cartridge Holders: Check gaskets and look for possible damage to threads.

5. Cartridge/Filters: Make sure they are clean and undamaged. Do NOT clean using compressed air.

Preparations for Use (5 Points)

See that straps lie flat on head

Tighten lower “neck” straps

Tighten the “side” straps

Place both hands on headband pad and push it towards the neck

Donning the Respirator

Tighten “neck” and “side” straps again

Tighten forehead or “front” strap a few notches if necessary

Always perform a seal check by placing a palm over the exhale valve and gently exhale. Then place hands over the cartridges/filters and gently inhale till mask collapses

Donning the Respirator

Replace when taste gases or vapors, eye, nose, or throat irritation

If this does not occur cartridges should be changed every six months, or based on the cartridges expiration date

Replacing Cartridges

Respirators should be regularly cleaned and disinfected. Respirator issued for exclusive one worker should be cleaned after each use by wiping interior and exterior with a damp cloth followed by a sanitizing wipe.

Do NOT overheat the respirator by using water warmer than 110°F

Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Maintenance

When inspection shows some signs of problems, get a new respirator or fix the respirator immediately

Never distort rubber face piece

Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Maintenance