Respiratory Hazard Assessment

and Protection

Suzanne Reister/Paula Vanderpool

North Central ESD 171509-667-7100/7110

Purpose of Training

To acquaint you with DOSH’s PPE rules, WAC 296-841 (assessment) and 842 (respirator protection plan), as they apply to school districts.

Topics to Cover

• Washington Administrative Code (WAC)• 296-800-841

– Evaluation and Control of Employee Exposure– When to Require Respiratory Use– Contaminants and Hazard Areas/Jobs– Notify Employees of Hazards and Exposures– Permissible Exposure Limits and Respiratory

Selection• Washington Administrative Code (WAC)• 296-800-842

– Requirements of Required and Voluntary Use Plan

• WAC 296-841 Respiratory Hazards

WAC

Evaluate Exposure

• WAC 296-841 requires the evaluation of work areas that have airborne contaminant exposure.

Areas of Potential Airborne Contaminants

Chemicals in shops; transportation, maintenance, boiler rooms, custodial.

Chemicals used by grounds.

Areas of Potential Airborne Contaminants

Print Shop Chemicals

Particulate from sanding or chemicals from finishing in wood shop

Asbestos in facilities during maintenance.

Particulate and metals from grinding or welding during fabrication

Identification

• Job Hazard Analysis• Check MSDS for listed chemicals• Particulate • Sources without an MSDS

– Existing Building Materials

• Oxygen Deficiency• Biologicals (viruses, mold)

Exposure Assessment Through Estimation

• Reasonably Estimate– Manufacturer’s Information– Observations– Measurements/Calculations– Other Industry Information– Duration of Use

– Ventilation

Exposure Assessment Through Testing

• Use NIOSH approved sampling methods– http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nmam/

• Ensure appropriate sampling method/media

• Overloading & breakthrough• Sampling limitations

Air Monitoring Continued

• Consider contracting professional industrial hygienist

• Phone book under “Safety Consultants”

Document, Document, Document• Describe the job• List the airborne hazard• Describe the steps of the exposure

assessment • Explain the determination• Include all information used to

make a determination

Control Exposure• WAC 296-841 requires the use of

engineering or administrative controls before using respirators.

• “Feasible Controls” to “below PEL or Lowest Achievable”

• Using Respirators is Costly and Time Consuming!

Administrative Controls

• Chemical Substitution • Change the Process• Separate Employees• Work Practices• Job Rotation

Engineering Controls

• Removing Emissions from the Source– Hoods– Shrouds– Enclosure with negative air/filtration

• Diluting Emissions– Ventilation

• Natural • Forced

Forced Ventilation

Update Job Hazard Analysis

• Appendix D JHA PPE Section • Determination Documentation

– May require supplemental letter outlining exposure assessment process used

• Inform employees

WAC 296-842 Respirators

You have an exposure you cannot control

so you need to provide respirators.

Steps in Implementation

• Designate a Program Administrator• Written Plan• Select Respirators (Steps in WAC

296-842-130)• Medical Evaluations/Fit Testing• Training • Maintenance

Respirator Types

• Dust Mask• Full Face Cartridge• Powered Air Cartridge • Supplied Air • Self Contained Breathing

Apparatus• Escape SCBA

How Filtering Facepieces Work

Air inhaled in Air inhaled in

Air exhaled out

Using Filtering FacepiecesLimits of dust masks

Dust masks will leak if they don’t fit your face properly.

Dust masks don’t filter out chemical vapors.

Dust masks are not adequate for heavy amounts of dust.

Dust masks may not be suitable for highly toxic dusts.

Dust Mask Protection Factor How much protection does a dust

mask give?Dust masks only provide protection to levels 10 times above the chemical or dust permissible exposure limit (PEL).

Example

Wood dust permissible limit – 5 mg/cu. meter

Dust mask protects up to 50 mg/cu. meter

mg/cu. meter = milligrams per cubic meter

NIOSH–Approved Dust Masks

• Dust masks come in variety of styles and brands.

• Not all dust masks provide adequate protection for workplace dust.

• Only NIOSH-approved dust masks can be used for protection against dust levels that exceed the PEL.

Not NIOSH-approved NIOSH-approved

How Respirators Work

Air inhaled in

Air exhaled out

Air inhaled in

How Respirators WorkHow Cartridge Respirators Work

Air movement is controlled by rubber inhalation and exhalation valves.

The adjustable straps are used to keep the respirator snug on the face.

straps

inhalation valves

Facepiece

cartridge

valve cover

exhalation valve

Respirator CartridgesTypes of Cartridges

Dust cartridges filter out dust only.

Chemical cartridges trap different types of chemicals, but not dust.

Cartridges are color-coded for the type of chemical or dust.

Voluntary Respiratory Use

• Must be approved by employer and ensure the following:– Cannot interfere with work, vision, communication– Cannot create health hazards (skin irritation, illness

(sharing respirators), unsafe air supply• Provide advisory information (Table 2)• Develop a written plan• Provide training• Maintain and repair respirators when

necessary• Recordkeeping – medical

Dust Mask Voluntary Use Requirements

• Must be approved by employer• Employer must provide advisory

information (Table 2)• No written plan if only dust mask• No training• No providing respirators, training,

medical or fit testing

Mandatory Respiratory Use • Designate Program Administrator• Develop a Written Plan • Recordkeeping • Medical Evaluation• Fit Testing• Training• Maintenance• Safe Use

Employee Training• When/Where it must be worn• How to put it on and take it off• How to know if it fits• How to inspect • How to keep clean• How to keep maintained• How to store • Limitations

Written Plan

– Designated Program Administrator– Hazard Assessment Certifications– Respirator Selection– Medical Evaluation Provisions– Fit Test Procedures– Training Provisions– Respirator Use Procedures– Maintenance– Procedure for Monitoring Program

Effectiveness

Summary• Washington Administrative Code (WAC)• 296-800-841

– Evaluation and Control of Employee Exposure– When to Require Respiratory Use– Contaminants and Hazard Areas/Jobs– Notify Employees of Hazards and Exposures– Permissible Exposure Limits and Respiratory

Selection• Washington Administrative Code (WAC)• 296-800-842

– Requirements of Required and Voluntary Use Plan