PERSONALPROTECTION || Respiratory Protection...maximum amount of protection and safety is provided...
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© Weeklysafety.com, LLC 1 PERSONAL PROTECTION || Respiratory Protection Volume 2 Issue 18 Workers often perform a variety of tasks where they could be exposed to harmful dust, chemical vapors, fumes from molten metal, and particulates from grinding, painting, or sandblasting. Although the best method to protect workers is first using engineering controls such as ventilation systems, it is not always a feasible solution. In these situations, the use of a respirator may be required to ensure the maximum amount of protection and safety is provided to the worker. The use of respirators, even simple ones like dust masks, is serious and requires workers to understand the types of hazards they could be exposed to, the specific type of respirator needed, how to use the respirator, and its limits. Failure to follow all the requirements to properly wear a respirator can prove to be dangerous and potentially deadly. OSHA Standard 1910.134(a)(2) A respirator shall be provided to each employee when such equipment is necessary to protect the health of such employee. The employer shall provide the respirators which are applicable and suitable for the purpose intended. www.osha.gov/SLTC/respiratoryprotection/ (*1)
Transcript of PERSONALPROTECTION || Respiratory Protection...maximum amount of protection and safety is provided...
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PERSONAL PROTECTION || Respiratory ProtectionVolume 2 Issue 18
Workers often perform a variety of tasks where they could be exposed to harmful dust, chemicalvapors, fumes from molten metal, and particulates from grinding, painting, or sandblasting. Althoughthe best method to protect workers is first using engineering controls such as ventilation systems, it isnot always a feasible solution. In these situations, the use of a respirator may be required to ensure themaximum amount of protection and safety is provided to the worker.
The use of respirators, even simple ones like dust masks, is serious and requires workers to understandthe types of hazards they could be exposed to, the specific type of respirator needed, how to use therespirator, and its limits. Failure to follow all the requirements to properly wear a respirator can proveto be dangerous and potentially deadly.
OSHA Standard 1910.134(a)(2) A respirator shall be provided to each employee when such equipment is necessaryto protect the health of such employee. The employer shall provide the respirators which are applicable and suitablefor the purpose intended.
www.osha.gov/SLTC/respiratoryprotection/ (*1)
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➢ Respirators protect the user in two basic ways:
The second is by supplying clean air forbreathing from another source. These kinds ofrespirators include airline respirators, which usecompressed air from a remote source, and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), that usea tank of compressed breathing air.
The first is by filtering the air of pollutants.Respirators of this type include particulaterespirators, which filter out airborne particles,and air-purifying respirators that usecartridges or canisters which filter outchemicals and gases.
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➢ Some respirators use specialized cartridgesand filters.
➢ Workers should know how to identify thetype of filters and how to install or replacethese filters or cartridges.
Example cartridge filters for a half-mask respirator. (*4)
OSHA Standard 1910.134(d)(1)(i) The employer shallselect and provide an appropriate respirator based onthe respiratory hazard(s) to which the worker isexposed and workplace and user factors that affectrespirator performance and reliability.
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➢ Workers must keep respirators in a clean and sanitarycondition.
➢ Respirators must be stored properly to avoid damage,contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures,excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals.
➢ Respirators should be packed or stored to preventdeforming the facepiece and exhalation valve.
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OSHA Standard 1910.134(h)(1) Cleaning and disinfecting. Theemployer shall provide each respirator user with a respiratorthat is clean, sanitary, and in good working order.
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Remember these important tips when it comes torespiratory protection:
• Respirators protect the user by either filteringcontamination from the air or supplying clean air fromanother source.
• Workers should know how to identify the type offilters and how to install or replace these filters orcartridges.
• Respirators must be kept in a clean and sanitarycondition.
• Respirators must be stored properly to avoid damage.
• Pack and store respirators safely to prevent deformingthe facepiece and exhalation valve.
• Always use the proper respirator for the specific taskand situation.
• Never use a respirator unless you have been properlyauthorized, fit-tested, and trained.
• Workers must know how to properly put on and weartheir respirator. Worker being fit-tested to make sure the respirator
seals properly against his face. (*8)
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OSHA Standard 1910.134(k) Training and information. This paragraph requires the employer to provide effectivetraining to employees who are required to use respirators. The training must be comprehensive, understandable, andrecur annually, and more often if necessary.
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• (*1) Photo Credit – OSHA.gov. http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/respiratoryprotection/
• (*2) Photo Credit – OSHA.gov. https://www.osha.gov/video/respiratory_protection/resptypes.html
• (*3) Photo Credit – OSHA.gov. https://www.osha.gov/video/respiratory_protection/resptypes.html
• (*4) Photo Credit – Wikimedia.org. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Respirator_gas_cartriges_with_ESLI_%28Hg_vapor%29_-_2.jpg
• (*5) Photo Credit – flickr.com public domain.
• (*6) Photo Credit – OSHA.gov. https://www.osha.gov/video/respiratory_protection/maintenance.html
• (*7) Photo Credit – OSHA.gov. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/shipyard/ship_breaking/ppe/general_ppe/respiratory.html
• (*8) Photo Credit – Naval Surface Warriors. 130905-N-NZ935-056. https://www.flickr.com/photos/navalsurfaceforces/9681172374/
Creative Commons License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/
PERSONAL PROTECTION || Respiratory ProtectionVolume 2 Issue 18
