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FMMC 10-11 – RESPIRATORS

Effective: January 11, 1994
Reviewed: December 2013

INFORMATION

Respirators are designed to provide protection from harmful gases, vapors, dust and mists. They are intended for use when involved with known hazardous materials or potentially hazardous materials. The primary purpose is to prevent atmospheric contamination when effective engineering controls are not feasible.

POLICY

Respirators shall be worn by anyone who must handle or work around hazardous chemicals, dusts, vapors, or anything which may cause adverse health hazards caused by breathing harmful air. Before any employee is assigned to such duty, he/she shall be trained and must pass a medical exam. Employees who wear respirators shall be fit tested at least annually. The medical exam will also be repeated annually as scheduled by the PPD Safety Officer. All activity will be documented and placed in employee personnel folder.

PROCEDURE

  1. Respirators shall be selected by the PPD Safety Officer with assistance from UK Occupational Health Department if needed. Selection shall be made based on:
    1. The type of hazards to which the worker will be exposed.
    2. The estimated concentration of the contaminant.
    3. Pertinent OSHA standards (substance-specific health standards).

      Employees will be approved for respirator use after successful completion of the medical exam. The exam will be repeated on an annual basis with the results being filed in the employee's personnel folder. In addition, an annual fit test will be performed to assure a proper respirator fit for each employee expected to use the equipment.

  2. Respirators worn must be appropriate for the assignment. For example, respirators used in asbestos work must have a Hepa filter. Chemical cartridge respirators shall be suitable for the intended use.
  3. The user shall be instructed and trained in the proper use of respirators and their limitations. The Safety Officer shall be responsible for assuring that training is given to the user initially and annually thereafter. This training may be presented by an appropriate manufacturer's representative, the UK Occupational Health Department, or other qualified individuals (such as departmental safety coordinators).

Training shall include:

  1. Proper cleaning and disinfecting of respirators.
  2. Proper inspection procedures.
  3. Proper storing of respirator.
  4. Instruction in actual use.
  5. Instruction of positive and negative pressure fit checks, and achieved.
  6. Although some respirators are assigned to individual workers for their exclusive use, others are in a cabinets in H-43, and A-121.
  7. Respirators shall be cleaned and disinfected (by the user) after each use, daily, or as often as necessary to ensure sanitary use of the respirator. In the event that respirators are shared, they must be cleaned and disinfected after each use.
  8. The Safety Officer shall ensure that workers are provided a storage area for respirators that is in a convenient, clean, and sanitary location. The respirators should be stored so as to not damage the integrity of the mask.
  9. Respirators shall be inspected by the user during cleaning following the procedures learned in training. Inspection shall include:
    1. Face piece
    2. Straps
    3. Inhalation and exhalation valves
    4. Filters or cartridges
    5. Any sign of damage or excessive wear shall be reported to the Safety Officer or the Supervisor immediately.

Respirators in the common storage shall be inspected by the individuals using them and at least once a month by the Safety Officer.

  1. Persons shall not be assigned to tasks requiring use of respirators unless it has been determined that they are physically able to perform the work and use the equipment. It is recommended that employees take the respirator that they will be wearing to their physical examination so that the physician knows exactly what type respirator is to be worn.
  2. Only approved respirators shall be used.