RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

• FEDERAL REGISTER 1/8/98

• 29 CFR 1910. 134

• Revised Other OSHA Standards That Incorporated 1910.134 By Reference

DATES

• EFFECTIVE DATE: APRIL 8, 1998

• COMPLIANCE DATES:

Paragraph (a) September 8, 1998

Paragraph (b-o) October 5, 1998

NEW REQUIREMENTS

• Program Administrator

• Mandatory Medical Questionnaire

• Fit Testing Protocols Specified

• Fit Testing and Training Annually

NEW REQUIREMENTS

• More Detailed Written Procedures

• Change Schedule for Cartridges Used for Gas and Vapors

• Breathing Air Quality Specified in More Detail - Moisture Content etc..

APPLICABILITY

• Respirator Use Required If PEL Exceeded

• If Employer Requires Respirator Use Below PEL

• Voluntary Use Below PEL

WRITTEN PROGRAM

• Procedures for Selecting Respirators

• Medical Evaluation

• Fit Testing Procedures

• Procedures for Use of Respirators

• Procedures and Schedules for Respirator Maintenance (cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, discarding)

WRITTEN PROGRAM

• Procedures to Ensure Adequate Air Quality Quantity, and flow of Breathing Air

• Training Employees on Respiratory Hazards, Proper Use, Limitations and Maintenance

• Procedures for Evaluating Program Effectiveness

RESPIRATOR SELECTION

• Requires use of NIOSH approved respirators

• Provides general guidance for selection

• Must select respirators from a sufficient number of models and sizes so it fits correctly

RESPIRATOR SELECTION

• Non IDLH gases and vapors– atmosphere supplying or– air purifying respirator with ESLI or change

schedule

• Particulates– filter certified under 42 CFR 84

RESPIRATOR SELECTION

• Respirators for IDLH– A full face pressure demand 30 minute SCBA– Combination full face pressure demand

airline/SCBA

• All Ox. deficient atmospheres are IDLH

• See Table II for exceptions at altitude

• Unknown atmosphere IDLH

MEDICAL EVALUATION

• Required prior to fit test

• Must be performed by a PLHCP using a medical questionnaire or exam

• Appendix C - Medical Questionnaire

• Follow up exam if positive answer - any tests or procedures determined by PLHCP

MEDICAL EVALUATION

• Provide written procedures, respirator weight, duration and frequency of use, physical effort required, temperature and humidity to PLHCP

• Written report provided to employer and employee

MEDICAL EVALUATION

• Additional medical evaluation required:– employee report– PLHCP, supervisor or program administrator

specifies– observations during fit testing or program

observation– change occurs in workplace

FIT TESTING

• Required prior to initial use– Whenever a different respirator is used– Annual requirement– Change in employee physical condition

• Required for all tight fitting respirators

• Follow OSHA Protocol in Standard

FIT TESTING

• Qualitative - If FF required less than or equal to 100

• Quantitative - If FF required more than 100

• Quantitative FF Pass– 100 for half face piece– 500 for full face piece

USE OF RESPIRATORS

• Prohibits facial hair at the sealing surface or that interferes with valve function

• Must conduct a user seal check before each use – Procedures in Appendix B– Procedures as recommended by manufacturer

that the employer demonstrates as effective

USE OF RESPIRATORS

• Allows employees to leave the respirator use area:– to wash face / face piece to prevent skin

irritation– if break through, changes in resistance, or face

piece leakage– to replace respirator air purifying element

MAINTENANCE

• Cleaning and disinfecting must use procedures in Appendix B or equivalent provided by manufacturer

• Recharge cylinders when pressure below 90%

BREATHING AIR

• oxygen - 19.5-23.5%

• hydrocarbons - 5mg/m3

• carbon monoxide less than or equal to 10 ppm

• carbon dioxide less than or equal to 1000 ppm

BREATHING AIR

• Compressor air moisture - dew point at least 10 F below ambient temperature

• Cylinder air moisture - dew point less than or equal to -50 F

• Alarms for oil lubricated compressor - if no CO alarm, (high temperature alarm only) air must be monitored and not exceed 10 ppm

TRAINING

• Required: – Prior to initial use– Annually– Changes in workplace or respirator type

• Employee must be able to demonstrate knowledge:– Why respirator is necessary– Limitations and capabilities of respirator

TRAINING

– How to use the respirator properly– How to inspect, put on, use, check seal– Respirator maintenance and storage– Medical signs and symptoms that may limit the

use of a respirator– General requirement of 1910.134

• Voluntary use - train on Appendix D

PROGRAM EVALUATION

• Needed to ensure program is properly implemented

• Employees are to be consulted regularly to assess their views and identify problems