Respiratory Protection
Scott E. Brueck, MS, CIH
Industrial Hygienist
CDC/NIOSH
[email protected]
Control of Respiratory Hazards
• The primary means to
control respiratory hazards
is through ventilation,
enclosures, isolation,
substitution of less toxic
materials, or work practice
modifications
Control of Respiratory Hazards
• When control measures are not feasible, or while
they are being instituted, appropriate respirators
must be used
• Respirators are required when exposures exceed
exposure limits
Two Classes of Respirators
• 1) Atmosphere-supplying respirators - provide
clean breathing air from an uncontaminated
source
• 2) Air-purifying respirators - respirators that use
an air-purifying filter, cartridge, or canister to
remove air contaminants such as dusts, fumes,
mists, vapors, or fibers
Assigned Protection Factor (APF)
• A measure of the minimum anticipated
workplace level of respiratory protection that
would be provided by a properly functioning
respirator or class of respirators to a
percentage of properly fitted and trained
users
(NIOSH definition)
Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
(SCBA)
Pressure Demand
Regulator
NIOSH APF = 10,000
Demand Regulator
NIOSH APF = 50
Escape-Only Respirator
A respirator intended
to be used only for
emergency exit
Supplied Air Respirators
Loose Fitting Hood or Helmet
Minimum airflow = 6 cfm
Continuous Flow: NIOSH APF = 25
Tight Fitting Full-Facepiece
Minimum airflow = 4 cfm
Pressure Demand: NIOSH APF = 2000
Continuous Flow: NIOSH APF = 50
Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR)
• An air-purifying respirator
that uses a blower to force
the ambient air through airpurifying elements to the
respirator
• Loose fitting minimum air
flow = 6 cfm
•Tight fitting minimum air
flow = 4 cfm
NIOSH APF = 25 (loose fitting)
NIOSH APF = 50 (tight fitting)
Half Mask and Full Facepiece
Respirators
• Tight-fitting
• Negative pressure
• Uses replaceable
filters or cartridges
• Full facepiece
provides eye
protection
Half Mask
NIOSH APF = 10
Full Facepiece
NIOSH APF = 50
Three Categories of Particulate Filters
N ----- Not resistant to oil
R ----- Resistant to oil
P ----- Oil proof
Three Levels of Particulate Filter
Efficiency
99.7 %
99 %
95 %
Cartridges for Gases and Vapors
Color coding system
indicates contaminants that
cartridges will filter
e.g. black = organic vapors,
green = ammonia
End-of-Service-Life Indicator (ESLI)
A system that warns the user of the end of adequate
respiratory protection; e.g., the sorbent is approaching
saturation or is no longer effective.
Change Schedule for Gas or
Vapor Cartridges
A cartridge change
schedule must be
developed for cartridges
that do not have an end of
service life indicator
Filtering Facepiece
• Tight-fitting
• Negative pressure
• Only for use against
particles
• Disposable
• One of most common
types used in industry
Filtering Facepiece
NIOSH APF = 10
Written Respirator Program
REQUIRED:
1) When respirators are necessary due
to air contaminant overexposure
2) When respirators are required by the
employer
Respirator Use Not Required
(Voluntary Use)
• Employer may provide respirators at request
of employees
OR
• Allow employees to use their own respirator
Voluntary Respirator Use
Employer must ensure that
1) Employees are medically able to use
respirators
2) The respirator is cleaned, stored, and
maintained properly
3) A written program addresses the two
elements listed above
4) Employees are provided with information
from Appendix D of the standard
Voluntary Respirator Use
EXCEPTION:
Employers are not required to
include in a written respirator
program employees whose only
voluntary respirator use is a
filtering facepiece. Must still
provide a copy of Appendix D.
Respirator Selection
• The employer shall identify and evaluate
the respiratory hazard(s) including a
reasonable estimate of employee
exposures
• If employer cannot identify or reasonably
estimate employee exposure, then
atmosphere must be considered IDLH
Fit Test
Fit Tests required for tight fitting respirators:
1) Prior to initial use
2) Whenever a different facepiece is used
3) Annually
4) When changes in an employee’s physical
condition occur
5) Employee indicates that fit is poor
Respirator Fitting
• FIT TEST
– Qualitative
– Quantitative
• USER SEAL CHECK
Positive
Pressure
Negative
Pressure
Source: Construction Safety Association of Ontario
Medical Evaluations
1) Provided before fit testing and before
employee required to use respirator
2) Performed by physician or PLHCP using
medical questionnaire (from Appendix C of
standard) or medical screening that obtains
the same information
3) Follow-up exam provided if necessary
Medical Evaluations
Information provided to PLHCP:
a) type and weight of respirator
b) duration and frequency of use
c) expected work effort
d) other protective equipment and clothing
worn
e) temperature and humidity extremes during
use
f) copy of written respirator program
Medical Evaluations
Additional evaluations required if:
1) employee reports medical problems related to
respirator use
2) a PLHCP, supervisor, or program administrator
indicates need for reevaluation
3) observations during fit testing, program
evaluation, etc. indicate need
4) change in workplace conditions result in
increase in physiologic burden
Medical Evaluations
Two situations where medical evaluation is not required:
• Voluntary use of filtering facepieces
• Use of escape-only respirators
Note: OSHA’s expanded health standards contain specific
medical monitoring requirements.
Training
1) why respirator necessary
2) limitations and capabilities
3) emergency use
4) inspection, wear, and fit check
5) maintenance and storage procedures
6) recognition of adverse medical conditions
7) general requirement of standard
Training
• Conducted prior to respirator use
• Retraining annually and when changes in
respirator used or work conditions occur
• Conducted in a manner understandable to
employees
Respirator Maintenance and Care
• Maintain in sanitary condition
• Store to prevent damage or
contamination
• Inspect before use and during
cleaning
• Inspect emergency use
monthly
• Repairs done by trained
person using parts from same
manufacturer
Respirator Selection Assistance
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/respiratory/
respirator_selection_advisorgenius.html
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2005-100/
NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation
(HHE) Program
An HHE is a study of a workplace to learn whether workers are exposed
to hazardous materials or harmful conditions.
• NIOSH may respond in writing with information
or refer requestor to a more appropriate agency
• NIOSH staff visits the workplace to meet with
the employer and the employee representatives
to
–
–
–
–
–
–
Discuss the issues
Tour the workplace
Review records
Interview or survey employees
Measure exposures
Conduct medical testing
When Can a NIOSH HHE Help
• New/modified exposures, processes, hazards
• Illnesses of unknown cause
• Unregulated agents/exposures
• Adverse health effects at exposures below
current standards
• Old problem in a new setting
• New/novel application of material or process
Requesting an HHE
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/
Questions?
The findings and conclusions in this presentation are those of the
author and do not necessarily represent the views of the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health