RESPIRATORYPROTECTION / E N V I R O N H & S T R A I N I N G P R O G R A M

RESPIRATORYPROTECTION

The following program presents

the respiratory requirements

of the OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.134,

which encompass

the ENVIRON policy on

respiratory protection.

RESPIRATORYPROTECTION / E N V I R O N H & S T R A I N I N G P R O G R A M

Respiratory Protection Objectives

The objective of this program is to reduce employee exposure to contaminated air in the breathing zone, which may contain harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors.

OSHA requires employers to ensure that employees are able to recognize potential hazards in the workplace, be familiar with and able to identify appropriate respirators, and know where to reference respirator-related information.

RESPIRATORYPROTECTION / E N V I R O N H & S T R A I N I N G P R O G R A M

TrainingAs required under OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.134, ENVIRON

employees will be trained in the following:

Required Respirator Use.

Implementation of Medical Evaluation Protocol.

Implementation of Fit Testing Procedures.

Voluntary Respirator Use.

Selection and Proper use of Respirators.

Proper Cleaning and Maintenance Procedures for Respirators.

RESPIRATORYPROTECTION / E N V I R O N H & S T R A I N I N G P R O G R A M

When Are Respirators Required?

Respirators will be required by all ENVIRON employees:

When feasible engineering controls can not be implemented to control the hazards.

When exposures to respiratory hazards exceed OSHA’s permissible exposure limits.

When monitoring has not been performed in potentially hazardous areas.

RESPIRATORYPROTECTION / E N V I R O N H & S T R A I N I N G P R O G R A M

ENVIRON’S Respiratory ProgramOnly employees who have received medical evaluations and have been properly fit tested will be allowed to wear a respirator.

If a client requests that an ENVIRON Facility employee be prepared to wear a respirator, then the employee will be offered a medical evaluation and be fit tested upon approval.

RESPIRATORYPROTECTION / E N V I R O N H & S T R A I N I N G P R O G R A M

Medical Evaluations

A medical evaluation to determine the employee’s ability to use a respirator must be performed prior to the issuance of a respirator.

The OSHA respirator

medical evaluation

questionnaire is found in

appendix C of the

standard 1910.134. To

maintain confidentiality,

the questionnaire must

be completed by a

licensed health care

provider and cannot be

reviewed by any

ENVIRON employee.

RESPIRATORYPROTECTION / E N V I R O N H & S T R A I N I N G P R O G R A M

Respiratory Fit Testing ProceduresRespiratory Fit Testing determines if the respirator properly fits the employee.

Fit Testing must be performed annually.

Written Fit Test records are maintained by the local office HSC.

Employees must be Fit Tested for the exact make, model, style and size respirator they will be using on the job.

Fit Testing must be performed by a trained professional and can be either quantitative or qualitative.

RESPIRATORYPROTECTION / E N V I R O N H & S T R A I N I N G P R O G R A M

Facial Hair Requirements

Respirator clearance will not be given to any employee who has facial hair, a beard, or long sideburns sufficient to interfere with the face-to-face piece seal.

Respirator clearance will not be given to any employee who cannot attain a proper face-to-face piece seal for any other reason.

RESPIRATORYPROTECTION / E N V I R O N H & S T R A I N I N G P R O G R A M

Voluntary Respirator Use

Respirator use is considered voluntary when employee exposure is not above an OSHA permissible exposure limit.

Employees may elect to wear respirators for reasons of comfort or caution when their use is not required by law.

Medical monitoring and Fit Testing is required for voluntary use and will be provided to any Facility employee who requests it.

RESPIRATORYPROTECTION / E N V I R O N H & S T R A I N I N G P R O G R A M

Employer Requirements for Voluntary Respirator Use

ENVIRON must provide a written statement informing the employee that the respirator can become a hazard if not used correctly.

The user must undergo specific training in the proper use and maintenance of the respirator.

Note: If the respirator being used is only a dust mask and is being used on a voluntary basis, a written program is not required.

RESPIRATORYPROTECTION / E N V I R O N H & S T R A I N I N G P R O G R A M

Respiratory Protection Selection GuidelinesRespirator selection should be based on considerations of risk to the

employee, as well as the employee’s comfort during respirator use.

Basic criteria to be followed when selecting respirators:

Nature and type (e.g. physical properties) of hazards to be encountered.

Permissible exposure limits.

Concentration of hazardous materials.

Atmospheric conditions.

Time frame the respirator will be in use.

Limitations of the respirators and cartridges selected.

Note: The HSC is responsible for selecting proper respirators and prescribing cartridge changing schedules.

RESPIRATORYPROTECTION / E N V I R O N H & S T R A I N I N G P R O G R A M

Types of Respirators

The full face respirator offers the greatest level of respiratory and eye protection and should be most commonly worn by ENVIRON employees.

Quarter face respirators will not be used as often due to the limited respiratory protection and lack of eye protection.

Air Purifying Respirators (APRs)

Can be full face, half face and quarter face models based on the contaminates present.

Combination chemical cartridges are most commonly used by ENVIRON employees.

RESPIRATORYPROTECTION / E N V I R O N H & S T R A I N I N G P R O G R A M

Visually inspect the entire unit. Check face-piece harness for

damage. Inspect all rubber elastic parts. Inspect the lens for damage or

excessive scratches.

Pull off cover to exhalation valve and inspect for damage.

Take off cartridges and visually inspect for damage.

Check for lens covers to be in place if applicable.

Inspection of APR Respirators

Check to ensure speaking diaphragm ring is tight.

Check that cartridges are correct for the type of hazard.

Don respirator and perform a positive and a negative pressure test.

Keep records of all inspection dates and findings.

Replace respirator if parts are damaged or missing.

RESPIRATORYPROTECTION / E N V I R O N H & S T R A I N I N G P R O G R A M

Types of RespiratorsAtmosphere Supplying Respirators:Full-face supplied air respirators (SAR)Self-contained breathing apparatus(SCBA)

Use extreme caution when using SAR or SCBA during sub-freezing weather as cold weather can cause regulator problems.

Supplied air respirators are required for working in atmospheres where the oxygen levels are below 19.5% or in any IDLH atmosphere (immediately dangerous to life and health) or atmospheres containing contaminates that do not have adequate warning properties, smell, or taste.

RESPIRATORYPROTECTION / E N V I R O N H & S T R A I N I N G P R O G R A M

Inspection of SCBAs and SARs

Check cylinder for current hydrostatic testing.

Inspect cylinder for dents, gouges, and unwrapping of fiberglass wrap.

Inspect cylinder gauge for damage.

Complete the routine inspection of face piece.

Complete appropriate records with results and recommendations.

SCBA’s and SAR’s will be returned to the manufacturer for repairs as needed.

RESPIRATORYPROTECTION / E N V I R O N H & S T R A I N I N G P R O G R A M

Cleaning and Disinfecting Respirators Respirators must be cleaned

and disinfected after each use and after each day of use. Respirators should be completely broken down and cleaned.

While in the field a pre-packaged respirator wipe can be used to clean and disinfect the respirator.

When cleaning, care must be taken not to damage or distort the face-piece.

If gross contamination occurs, a complete breakdown of the respirator will be required. Check the manufacturer’s schematic display for the proper breakdown procedures.

Only employees who have been properly trained in this procedure may break down a respirator.

RESPIRATORYPROTECTION / E N V I R O N H & S T R A I N I N G P R O G R A M

Maintenance and Repair of APRs

The replacement of parts and the repair of the respiratory apparatus will be performed only by persons who are properly trained and certified in such techniques.

Substitution of parts from one type of respirator to another is strictly forbidden. ENVIRON employees are not authorized to do so.

RESPIRATORYPROTECTION / E N V I R O N H & S T R A I N I N G P R O G R A M

Summary

The ENVIRON Respiratory Protection Program has been designed primarily with Site personnel in mind. Remember that respiratory protection is only required when employees are exposed to respiratory hazards over the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (if feasible engineering controls can not be implemented to control hazard) or when employees work in potentially hazardous areas where monitoring has not been performed.

Only employees who have medical clearance and have been fit-tested will be allowed to use a respirator.