Instructions
Guidance for Establishing a Respiratory Protection Program
6 Simple Steps in Establishing a Respiratory Protection Program
- Exposure Assessment
- Written Respiratory Program
- Respirator Selection
- Medical Evaluation
- Fit Testing
- Respirator Training
Introduction
Employers who decide to use respiratory protection to help lower worker exposures to hazardous airborne contaminants must follow all requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134.
The following information is intended to highlight major steps involved in setting up a respiratory protection program and identify additional resources.
Those employers considering the use of respirators, and designated respiratory protection program administrators, should carefully read and fully understand the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard prior to issuing respiratory protection to employees.
OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134 [Website]
1. Exposure Assessment
OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard 1910.134(d) states: "The employer shall identify and evaluate the respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace;
this evaluation shall include a reasonable estimate of employee exposures to respiratory hazard(s) and an identification of the contaminant's chemical state and physical form."
American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) maintains a list of industrial hygienists who contract to do air monitoring (www.aiha.org).
In addition, OSHA offers a free consultation program. Information is available at (www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness/consult.html).
You can also contact 3M Technical Service at 1-800-243-4630 to find out more about air monitoring solutions.
2. Written Respiratory Program
A written program is required for mandatory use of respiratory protection and recommended for voluntary use.
OSHA 1910.134(c) states: “In any workplace where respirators are necessary to protect the health of the employee or whenever respirators are required by the employer,
the employer shall establish and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures.”
3M Summary of OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard [PDF 90 KB]
3M Administrative Respiratory Protection Program [PDF 1 MB]
3. Respirator Selection
OSHA requires the employer to evaluate respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace (contaminant and concentration), identify relevant workplace and user factors, and base respirator selection on these factors.
The respiratory hazard evaluation includes “a reasonable estimate of employee exposures to respiratory hazard(s)”. The respirator type or class is then selected by comparing the employee’s exposure to the occupational exposure limit and determining the minimum necessary respirator assigned protection factor.
Where the employer cannot identify or reasonably estimate the employee exposure, OSHA requires the employer to consider the atmosphere as IDLH.
3M Online Respirator Selection Software and Respirator Selection Guide [Website]
3M Regulations Update: Assigned Protection Factors
4. Respirator Medical Evaluations
Medical evaluation of the employee is required for mandatory use of all respirators or voluntary use of elastomeric facepieces, and recommended for voluntary use of filtering facepieces. OSHA 1910.134(e) states: “The employer shall provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace.”
OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire (Appendix C - English)
OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire (Appendix C - Spanish)
3M On-line and Mail-in Respirator Medical Evaluation (For users of all brands and types of respirators. Available in English or Spanish.)
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Health/Safety/Products/One/ or http://www.RespExam.com
5. Fit Testing
Fit testing is required for mandatory use of all tight-fitting facepieces and recommended for voluntary use. OSHA 1910.134(f) states: “The employer shall ensure that an employee using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator is fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model or make) is used, and at least annually thereafter.” Employees issued powered air purifying respirators and supplied air respirators with loose-fitting facepieces, hoods or helmets are not subject to fit testing.
Fit Testing Training Video - English
Fit Testing Training Video - Spanish
3M Product Specific Respirator Fitting Instructions [Website]
3M Qualitative Fit Test Kits and Fit Test Instructions
3M FT-10 (Sweet) Fit Test Kit [Website]
3M FT-30 (Bitter) Fit Test Kit [Website]
Respirator Fit Test Form (70-0702-1904-6)
Fit Test Wallet Cards (70-0701-3323-9)
6. Training
Training is required for mandatory use and recommended for voluntary use of respirators. OSHA 1910.134(k) states: “This paragraph requires the employer to provide effective training to employees who are required to use respirators. The training must be comprehensive, understandable, and recur annually and more often if necessary.”
Respirator Training
3M Product Specific Maintenance and Training Videos [Website]
Reusable Respirator Cleaning Instructions
Respiratory Protection Training Program Attendance Roster
Additional Respiratory Protection Information
Establishing a Cartridge Change Schedule
Cartridge Service Life Software [Website]
Cartridge Change Frequently Asked Questions
Appendix D to 29 CFR 1910.134 (Mandatory) Information for Employees Using Respirators When Not Required Under the Standard (English)
Appendix D to 29 CFR 1910.134 (Mandatory) Information for Employees Using Respirators When Not Required Under the Standard (Spanish)
3M Fit Test Policy
3M Technical Data Bulletins [Website]
Regulations and Standards [Website]
3M Media Library (Articles, data sheets, brochures, exploded views, user instructions, newsletters, posters, system matrices, videos, etc.) [Website]
|
