Individual respirators are required whenever work is performed in atmospheres where harmful particulate, gas or vapor contaminants exceed OSHA specified limits or is which there is an oxygen deficiency. In order for a respirator to adequately provide the degree of protection needed the equipment selected must match the nature of hazard and the respirator must be maintained and worn properly. Provisions in this procedure focus on the fulfillment of these requirements.

Atmospheric contaminants will be eliminated as far as feasible by engineering control methods such as enclosure of the operation, general and local ventilation or by substitution of less toxic materials.

Medical

Employees cannot be assigned any job requiring respiratory protection until the University Health Service has determined that they are physically and physiologically capable of using a respirator. Supervisors who wish to schedule an employee for a respirator medical exam should first contact from the Safety Officer so that a description of the job, harmful materials used exposure level and respirator type can be developed. This information must be provided to the University Health Services for each person evaluated. The Health Service notifies the Safety Officer of their determination for each employee.

Fit Test

Employees cannot wear respirators in hazardous atmospheres until they have been qualitatively fit tested for their respirator. These tests are necessary to assure leaks do not occur between the respirator and face and that all contaminated air is actually inhaled through the filter cartridges. The Safety Officer should be contacted to arrange fit testing. Positive pressure air supplied hoods do not require fit testing.

Employees with beards are not allowed to perform tasks which require respirators unless they use a positive pressure air supplied hood. The presence of facial hair prevents an airtight seal between the respirator and the face causing contaminated air to leak into the breathing zone.

Training

Employees cannot wear respirators in hazardous atmospheres until they are trained in the selection, use and limitations of respirators.  The Safety Officer should be contacted to arrange for training of employees.

Assignment of Respirators

Respirators are maintained by the Safety Officer and usually assigned to individuals for specific jobs. Each respirator is assigned to a specific individual and must not be shared among employees. At the completion of the job the respirator must be returned to the Safety Officer.

Employees whose job duties frequently require a respirator are permanently assigned an individual respirator.

Cleaning/Storage

Respirators must be cleaned and disinfected after each use. Between uses the respirator must be stored in a clean and dry location.

UNIVERSITY JOBS WHICH COULD REQUIRE A RESPIRATOR

 

Task		Exposure	Control	Monitor
1	Wood Floor Finishing And Coating	Organic Vapors	Half-Mask/Organic Vapor Cartridge	Hydrocarbons (<50 Ppm)
2	Spray Painting	Organic Vapors/Mists	Half-Mask/Organic Vapor Cartridge Mist Filter.
3	Painting Inside With Oil Base Paint And Coatings	Organic Vapors	Half-Mask/Organic Vapor
4	Sandblasting	Silica Dust	Supplied Air Hood
5	Pesticide Application	Organic Vapors Toxic Vapors Mist	Half-Mask/Pesticide Cartridge
6	Boiler Cleaning	Boiler Scale	Supplied Air Hood
7	Asbestos Maintenance	Asbestos	Half-Mask/HEPA Filter	Asbestos (Hydrocarbons <50 PPM)
8	Application Of Adhesive	Organic Vapors	Half-Mask/Organic Vapor	Hydrocarbons <50 PPM)
9	Ceramic Glaze	Toxic Dusts	Vented
10	Clay Mixing	Clay Dusts	Vented
11	Etching Bath	Nitric Acid	Vented
12	Screen Wash	Organic Vapors	Vented
13	Plate Wash	Organic Vapors	Vented	Formaldehyde (no reading
14	Human Dissection	Formaldehyde	Vented	Formaldehyde (no reading)
15	Laboratory	Various	Fume Hood	Benzene (no reading)