What is a respirator protection program?
A respiratory protection program ensures that all employees are properly protected from respiratory hazards. According to 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.134, employers must create and maintain an individualized, written respiratory program if their employees use respirators.
What are the requirements of a respiratory protection program?
Per 29 CFR 1910.134, every respiratory protection program requires a program administrator and must include documentation and written work site-specific procedures for:
- Respirator selection.
- Medical evaluations.
- Use of respirators.
- Maintenance and care.
- Assuring adequate air quality.
- Training and fit testing.
Does OSHA require a respiratory protection program?
The OSHA respiratory standard requires contractors to develop and implement a written respiratory protection program for situations in which PELs of airborne contaminants could be exceeded or when the employer requires use of respirators by workers. See also the chapter on Confined Spaces.
When should respirators be used?
Respirators should be used for protection only when engineering controls have been shown to be infeasible for the control of the hazard or during the interim period when engineering controls are being installed. (Refer to Exposure Control Priority).
What is the purpose of a respirator program?
The purpose of the respirator program is to ensure that all OSHA employees are protected from exposure to respiratory hazards.
What two things must be established when respiratory protection is needed?
In addition, the employer must establish and implement those elements of a written respiratory protection program necessary to ensure that any employee using a respirator voluntarily is medically able to use that respirator, and that the respirator is cleaned, stored, and maintained so that its use does not present a …
How often do respirators need to be inspected?
Inspect the equipment designated for “emergency use” at least monthly and after each use. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and CSA Standard Z94. 4-11 (R2016) for care and maintenance.
How long is it safe to wear a respirator?
This U.S. CDC guide states that workers in other industries routinely use N95 respirators for several hours without interruption. Experience in these settings indicates that respirators can function properly for up to 8 hours of continuous or intermittent use.
What qualifies as a respirator?
Response: A filtering facepiece respirator is defined in 29 CFR 1910.134(b) as “a negative pressure particulate respirator with a filter as an integral part of the facepiece or with the entire facepiece composed of the filtering medium.”
What are the four types of respirators?
There are four common classes of APR facepieces: • disposable; • quarter mask; • half-mask; and • full-face. Disposable respirators (dust masks) provide protection against nuisance dusts and particulates. Quarter mask respirators are used with cartridges or cloth filters.
How to make a respiratory protection program?
Starting a Respiratory Protection Program Step 1: Written Respiratory Protection Program – An employer is required to develop and implement a written respiratory… Step 2: Selection of Respirators – An employer must evaluate respiratory hazards in the workplace before selecting a… Step 3: Medical
Do you need a respiratory protection program?
Respirators will not be used for emergency response or escape. If one or more of these conditions are not met, respirator use is not voluntary. Therefore, a complete respiratory protection program is required. If respirator use is permitted and all of the above conditions are met, a voluntary-use situation exists.
What is respiratory protection training?
OSHA Respiratory Protection Training. The OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134 puts respirator requirements in place to protect employees from breathing contaminated or oxygen deficient air. Compliance with this OSHA Standard helps prevent worker illnesses and deaths from these workplace hazards.
What are OSHA requirements for respiratory training?
Per OSHA requirements in Standard 29 CFR 1910.134, employers must provide effective training to employees who are required to use respirators. The training must include: Training is required prior to initial respirator use, unless acceptable training has been provided by a previous employer in the last 12 months.