Respiratory Protection Training

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Respiratory Protection Training OSHA 29CFR1910.134
Candis Duncan
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Who should take this course?

• If your workplace has been identified as having
  potential respiratory hazard(s) that could result
  in an employee exposure
• An employee exposure is an exposure to an
  airborne contaminant that would occur if the
  employee were not using respiratory protection.

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What will this course cover?

• Respirators protect workers by preventing
  exposures to harmful airborne chemicals,
  dust/particulates, and biological agents from the
  air. If a respirator is worn incorrectly, it
  will not provide adequate protection to the
  wearer.
• This training will cover
• Clemson Respiratory Protection Program
• Respirator Selection
• Respiratory Hazards
• Types of Respirators
• Respirator Limitations
• Respirator parts, inspections, seal checks
• Respirator maintenance, storage, and care
• Respirator Filters/Cartridges
• Respirator Protection Factors
• Fit Testing
• Voluntary Use

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Clemson Respiratory Protection Program

• The Occupational Safety Health Administrations
  (OSHAs) Respiratory Protection Standard requires
  that each employer has a written program which
  includes
• Medical Surveillance to determine if the employee
  or student is medically fit to wear a respirator.
  
• Annual Training in the proper use (donning and
  removing), limitations of the respirator and
  storage of the respirator selected for use.
• Annual Fit testing to determine that the
  respirator selected for use fits properly.

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Respirator Use Flow Chart
Yes
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Copy of Respirator Selection and Use Worksheet
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Why is respiratory protection needed?

• To provide the employee with protection from
  hazardous air contaminants from a variety of
  sources such as
• Dusts
• Aerosols/mists
• Metal fumes
• Vapors
• Gases
• Biological agents
• Oxygen-deficient atmospheres

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What are respiratory hazards?

• Particles such as
• Dusts
• Fine solid materials that may be caused by
  milling, sanding,
• crushing, or grinding operations. The
  smaller the dust, the
• longer it stays in the air and the easier it
  is to inhale.
• Mists
• Fine droplets of liquid produced by spraying,
  mixing, and
• cleaning operations.
• Metal Fumes
• Vaporized metals which rapidly cool forming fine
  particles that
• can remain suspended in the air. May occur
  in high-heat operations
• such as welding.

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What are the respiratory hazards? (continued)

• Gases
• These substances at ambient pressure and
  temperature
• are in a gaseous state and are sometimes
  colorless. Gases
• can travel far and fast from their source,
  often undetected.
• Vapors
• Substances which evaporate from liquids or
  solids.
• Infectious Agents
• Some labs can generate infectious agent aerosols.
  Infectious agent particles may include protozoa,
  fungi, bacteria, viruses, etc.

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How do you control respiratory hazards?

• The preferred method of controlling respiratory
  hazards is through the use of control measures
  such as engineering controls like ventilation,
  enclosures, isolation, or substitution of less
  toxic materials.
• Other methods may include administrative controls
  or work practice modifications such as training
  workers on safe operation procedures, good house
  keeping, or rotating employees in and out of
  exposed areas
• When engineering controls and administrative
  controls do not provide adequate protection,
  personal protective equipment such as respirators
  may be used to protect the worker.

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FOUR STEP PROCESS FOR SELECTION
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The air we breathe
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Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres

• Normal oxygen level in the air is approximately
  20.9.
• Symptoms of hypoxia may occur at 16 oxygen.
• What may cause oxygen deficient atmospheres?
• Oxygen can rapidly deplete in poorly ventilated
  atmospheres
• Confined spaces such as in silos or tanks
• Oxygen consumption by chemical reactions,
  welding, or fire
• Chemicals may displace oxygen from the air
• An air-purifiying respirator will NOT protect you
  in an oxygen deficient atmosphere.

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Inhalation Toxicology

• Acute
• Immediate response from a single short exposure
• Symptoms include coughing, dizziness, nausea,
  sneezing, and/or vomiting
• Acute effects may assist in detection of exposure
• Chronic
• Delayed response from repeated expsoure to low
  levels
• May cause decreased lung function, and/or damage
  to other organs
• Caused by workplace exposure, living environemnt
  or lifestyle (i.e. diet, drugs, tobacco)
• A gradual process that may be difficult to detect

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Respirator Selection
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Types of Respirators

• Air PurifyingRespirators (APR)
• Remove airborne contaminants such as particles,
  toxic vapors, and/or gases. They are appropriate
  for use in environments of low-level
  contamination and in environments where there is
  sufficient oxygen.
• Tight fitting facepieces or coverings produce a
  protective seal around the face of the user.
• Air is purified when it passes through a
  filtering media at the inlet cover of the
  facepiece
• Tight fitting facepieces are available in two
  basic types
• ? Half Mask
  ? Full Face

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Types of Respirators

• Air PurifyingRespirators (APR)
• NIOSH-approved particulate filtering facepiece
  respirators are often called N95 or dust masks.
  This type of air-purifying respirator protects by
  filtering particles out of the air the user is
  breathing.
• Various types include
• N95 - Filters at least 95 of airborne particles.
  Not resistant to oil.
• Surgical N95 - A NIOSH-approved N95 respirator
  that has also been cleared by the Food and Drug
  Administration (FDA) as a surgical mask.
• N99 - Filters at least 99 of airborne particles.
  Not resistant to oil.
• N100 - Filters at least 99.97 of airborne
  particles. Not resistant to oil.
• R95 - Filters at least 95 of airborne particles.
  Somewhat resistant to oil.
• P95 - Filters at least 95 of airborne particles.
  Strongly resistant to oil.
• P99 - Filters at least 99 of airborne particles.
  Strongly resistant to oil.
• P100 - Filters at least 99.97 of airborne
  particles. Strongly resistant to oil.
• Remember N- Not resistant to Oil
• R Resistant to Oil
• P Oil Proof

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Types of Respirators

• Air PurifyingRespirators (APR)
• Powered Air Purifying (PAPR)
• Available in half mask, full facepiece, loose
  fitting facepiece helmets or hoods)

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Types of Respirators

• Atmosphere Supplying
• Supplied air
• Provide clean air from either a portable cylinder
  or from a remote source and are used in
  environments too hazardous for air-purifying
  respirators.
• Available in half mask, full facepiece, loose
  fitting facepiece helmets or hoods)

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Types of Respirators

• Atmosphere Supplying
• Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SBCA)

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Half Mask Respirator Parts
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Half Mask Respirators Uses Limitations

• Reusable Half Mask Vapor Respirators
• Air Purifying devices that cover your nose,
  mouth, chin. May be used for protection
  against gases, vapors, or particulates.
• Gas Vapor Respirators have replaceable
  cartridges that capture gases and vapors from the
  air.
• Half mask respirators will not work if they are
  not properly fitted to the wearers face. The
  wear should perform a positive and negative fit
  test before entering a hazardous area.

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Full Face Respirator Parts
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Full Face Respirators Uses Limitations

• Full Face Respirators
• Air Purifying devices similar to the Half Mask
  that cover your nose, mouth, chin, but with the
  addition of a facepiece to protect your eyes and
  face.
• Cartridges contain chemicals to absorb gases and
  vapors.
• Allows for the reduction of concentration levels
  of gases, vapors, or particle hazards. Like the
  Half Face Respirator, it does not protect against
  oxygen deficiency, temperature extremes, or
  hazards not listed on the cartridge.

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Air-line and Self-Contained Respirators Uses
Limitations

• Air-line and Self-Contained
• Provide additional head, eye, and face
  protection.
• Air-line respirators will supply you with clean
  air from a hose.
• SCBAs allow more mobility.
• Both protect from oxygen deficiency, temperature
  extremes, and high concentrations of dusts,
  fumes, mists, gases, and vapors.

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Inspection of Respirators

• Examine the facepiece for excessive dirt, cracks,
  tears, holes, or distortion.
• Check for cracked or broken air-purifying
  element holder(s), badly worn threads, or missing
  gaskets.
• Examine the head straps/harness for breaks, loss
  of elasticity, broken or malfunctioning buckles
  and attachments.
• Remove the exhalation valve cover and examine for
  foreign material (detergent, residue, dust
  particles, hair), cracks, tears, or distortion.
  Look for improper insertion of the valve body and
  cracks, breaks, or chips in the valve body.
  Check for missing or defective valve covers and
  improper installation of the valve.

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Inspection of Respirators

• Examine air-purifying elements for the correct
  cartridge, canister, or filter. Look for
  incorrect installation, loose connections,
  missing or worn gaskets, or cross-threading in
  holder. Verify the shelf-life date on
  cartridges/canister and look for cracks or dents
  on outside case. Inspect for evidence of prior
  use of sorbent cartridge indicated by absence of
  sealing material, tape, or foil over inlet.

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Maintenance, Cleaning, and Storage of Respirators

• Routinely inspect respirator before and after
  each use, after cleaning, and after any
  maintenance.
• Only use manufacturer recommended replacement
  parts when needed. Do not combine different
  manufacturer parts.
• Employees are responsible for their own day to
  day cleaning and maintenance of their
  respirators.
• Respirators must be cleanied and sanitized after
  each use.
• Remove canisters and discard after use.
• Immerse respirator in a warm solution of a
  germicidal detergent and water. Gently wash all
  areas of the respirator. Non-alcohol wipes may
  also be purchased and used for cleaning.
• Rinse, Sanitize, and air dry respirator.
• Store in a plastic bag on a shelf or in a
  cabinet. Do NOT store by hanging respirators
  from head straps/harness.

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Do and Dont

• Dont wear a respirator unless you are approved
  and fitted to wear one.
• Do ensure you are fit tested annually.
• Also, if weight fluctuates or facial/dental
  alterations occur, a fit test should be done
  again to ensure the respirator remains effective.
  
• Do inspect the respirator before wearing it.
• Do wear the size/model that you were fit tested
  for.
• Do have a clean shaven face to ensure a good
  seal.
• Facial hair that lies along the sealing area of
  the respirator such as beards, sideburns, or even
  a few days of growth of stubble, shall not be
  permitted because it will prevent a good seal and
  may cause leakage of the respirator and cause
  contaminants to enter your breathing zone.
• Do complete a Negative and Positive Pressure Test
  each time you don a respirator.
• Do maintain appropriate sanitation and storage of
  your respirator.

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N95, P99, P100 Particulate Respirators Donning

• Particualte Respirators
• Slightly bend the nosepiece to form a gentle
  curve.
• Find the two headbands and separate using your
  index finger and thumb.
• Cup the respirator under your chin.
• Pull the upper headbands up over your head and
  position at the corner of your head.
• Pull the lower headband and position at the base
  of your neck
• Conform the nosepiece across the bridge of your
  nose by firmly pressing down with your fingers.
• Continue to adjust the respirator and secure the
  edges until you acheive a good fit.
• Adjust the respirator as needed during work to
  ensure a good fit.

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N95, P999, P100 Particulate Respirators Seal
Check

• Checking your Seal
• Place both hands over the respirator, take a
  quick breath in to check whether the respirator
  seals tightly to your face.
• Place both hands completely over the the
  respirator and exhale. If you feel leakage,
  there is not a proper seal.
• If air leaks around the nose, adjust the
  nosepiece. If air leaks at the mask edge, adjust
  the straps along the sides of your head until a
  proper seal is achieved.
• If you cannot achieve a proper seal due to air
  leakage, try a different size or model.

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N95 Particulate Respirators Doffing

• Removing the Respirator
• Do not touch the front of the respirator it may
  be contaminated.
• Remove by pulling the bottom strap over the back
  of the head, followed by the top strap.
• Discard the used respirator.
• Wash your hands.

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NIOSH-Certified Respirators

• Some disposable masks are not respirators at
  all, since they are not NIOSH (National Institute
  for Occupational Safety and Health) certified.
• Do not use these for tasks where a real
  respirator is needed, it will not provide the
  level of protection needed.

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Inspection and Assembly for Half or Full Face
Respirator Example using North ½ Mask Respirator
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Donning a Half or Full Face Respirator Example
using North ½ Mask Respirator
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User Seal Checks for a Half or Full Face
Respirator Example using North ½ Mask Respirator
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Respirator Cartridges/Filters

• Filters are an essential component used with
  negative and positive pressure air purifying
  respirators to remove solid or liquid aerosols
  (e.g. dusts, fumes, smokes, mists) from the
  inspired air.
• The requirement to replace a filter is not the
  same as chemical cartridges. Filters should be
  replaced when breathing becomes labored or as
  needed for sanitary reasons.
• Mechanical filter elements provide protection
  against particulate matter such as dusts, mists,
  fibers, mold, bacteria, and metal fumes. This
  type of element "filters" particulate matter by
  physically trapping it in the fibrous filter
  material.

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Respirator Cartridges/Filters

• Filters have different classifications of filter
  efficiency based on the NIOSH testing procedures
  for protection against oil mist.
• P100 filter designation is the primary type of
  filter used for protection against dusts, mists,
  fumes, smokes (any particulates). It has been
  tested for a 99.97 filter efficiency when tested
  against 0.3 um docytl phthalate (DOP- "oil mist")
  particles.
• P100 filters are color coded purple/magenta.

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Respirator Cartridges/Filters

• High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter
  means a filter that is at least 99.97 efficient
  in removing particles of 0.3 micrometers in
  diameter. The equivalent NIOSH 42 CFR 84
  particulate filters are the N100, R100, and P100
  filters.

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Respirator Cartridges/Filters

• A Cartridge is a container with a filter,
  sorbent, or catalyst, or combination of these
  items, which removes specific contaminants from
  the air passed through the container. They differ
  from aerosol filters in that they use sorbents,
  generally carbon to remove harmful gasses and
  vapors.
• Colors are used for easy identification of
  respirator cartridges and filters. The color is
  based on the type of air contaminant(s) for which
  the user will require protection.
• Organic Vapors-Black
• Acid GasesWhite
• Organic Vapors/Acid Gases-Yellow
• Ammonia/Methylamine-Green
• Formaldehyde/Organic Vapor-Olive/Black
• Multi-Gas Vapor- Olive
• Mercury Vapor/Chlorine Gas- Orange
• P100 HEPA filters-Purple/Magenta

 
 
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Respirator Cartridges/Filters

• Chemical cartridges are filled with a specially
  treated activated carbon with a very high
  adsorption capacity. Gases and vapors passing
  through chemical cartridges are attracted and
  held to the surface of the carbon. In the case of
  acid and alkaline gases, a chemical reaction
  and/or absorption occurs. The adsorption capacity
  is limited.
• It is important to implement a chemical cartridge
  change out schedule. The change schedule
  described in the plan for canister and cartridges
  must be based on objective information or data
  (e.g. industrial hygiene air monitoring data)
  that will ensure that canisters or cartridges are
  changed before their end of service life. The
  service life of the chemical cartridges will
  vary.

 
 
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Respirator Cartridges/Filters

• Changing the cartridges on a regular basis will
  prevent "break-through" and will prevent the
  wearer from being exposed to air contaminants as
  a result of overuse of a saturated chemical
  cartridge. When using a respirator for protection
  for gases and vapors, if you detect a chemical
  taste, smell, or irritation, you should exit to a
  clean area and replace the cartridges and inspect
  the respirator immediately.

 
 
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Protection Factors

• The amount of protection a respirator can provide
  is determined by an Assigned Protection Factor
  (APF). APFs are assigned by OSHA and are
  legally enforable.
• The higher the concentration of airborne
  contaminates, the greater the need for a high
  APF.
• APFs are numerical ratings that relay the
  anticipated protective ability against a given
  contaminate. The higher the APR, the greater
  protection provided by the respirator.
• A protection factor of 50 means that you can be
  exposed to an atmosphere concentration 50 times
  higher than the PEL (permissible exposure limit).
• Protection Factor Concentration of Particles
  Outside Mask
  
• Concentration of
  Particles Inside Mask

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Levels of Protection
Air purification
Air measurements
Continuous flow Half mask or full mask
No maintenance
10 x TLV
Low maintenance
Mask types
10000 x TLV
10 x TLV
Maintenance required
10 x TLV
Full Mask
Self-contained
100 x TLV
10,000 x TLV
Forced supplied air
1000 x TLV
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How to Determine the Protection Level?

• The Occupational Exposure Limit x APF maximum
  airborne contaminate concentration in which the
  respirator can be used.
• Example If the established occupational exposure
  limit for chemical A is 10ppm (parts per
  million), a full face respirator with an APF of
  50 can safely be used in airborne concentrations
  of up to 500ppm. (10ppm X 50 APF 500)

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Fit Testing

• Employees at Clemson University are required to
  receive a quantitative fit test with the
  respirator that they will be using. The
  fit-testing will occur prior to initial use of
  the respirator, or whenever a different
  respirator facepiece (size, style, model, or
  make) is used, and at least annually thereafter.
• An additional fit-test is conducted whenever the
  employee, supervisor, or Research Safety makes
  visual observations of changes in the employee's
  physical condition that could affect respirator
  fit.
• Such conditions include, but are not limited to,
  facial scarring, dental changes, cosmetic
  surgery, or any obvious change in body weight.
  The employee may select a different respirator if
  he/she does not think the respirator fit is
  acceptable, even after passing the test.

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Voluntary Use of Respirators
Respirators are an effective method of protection
against designated hazards when properly selected
and worn. Respirator use is encouraged, even when
exposures are below the exposure limit, to
provide an additional level of comfort and
protection for workers. However, if a respirator
is used improperly or not kept clean, the
respirator itself can become a hazard to the
worker. Sometimes, workers may wear respirators
to avoid exposures to hazards, even if the amount
of hazardous substance does not exceed the limits
set by OSHA standards. If your employer provides
respirators for your voluntary use, or if you
provide your own respirator, you need to take
certain precautions to be sure that the
respirator itself does not present a
hazard. You should do the following 1. Read
and heed all instructions provided by the
manufacturer on use, maintenance, cleaning and
care, and warnings regarding the respirators
limitations. 2. Choose respirators certified
for use to protect against the contaminant of
concern. NIOSH, the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services,
certifies respirators. A label or statement of
certification should appear on the respirator or
respirator packaging. It will tell you what the
respirator is designed for and how much it will
protect you. 3. Do not wear your respirator
into atmospheres containing contaminants for
which your respirator is not designed to protect
against. For example, a respirator designed to
filter dust particles will not protect you
against gases, vapors, or very small solid
particles of fumes or smoke. 4. Keep track of
your respirator so that you do not mistakenly use
someone else's respirator.
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Contacts
If you have any questions regarding the content
of this training or general questions regarding
respirators, please feel free to contact the
Research Safety Industrial Hygiene team. Anne
Kogut Industrial Hygiene Manager [phone]
akogut_at_Clemson.edu Naomi Kelly Chemical
Hygiene Officer [phone]
nkelly_at_Clemson.edu Candis Duncan Industrial
Hygiene Specialist [phone]
csdunca_at_Clemson.edu Office of Research Safety
114 Long Hall Clemson, SC 29634-5737 www.clemson.
edu/research/safety