The Do’s and Don’ts of Respiratory Protection

1. The Do’s and Don’ts of Respiratory Protection
Mike Rusak
EHS Engineer II
September 20, 2013

2. Speakers
Becky Ross
Marketing Manager
303-228-8753
bross@kpaonline.com
Mike Rusak
EHS Engineer II
215-805-6026
mrusak@kpaonline.com
PresenterModerator

3. Questions
• If you have questions during
the presentation, please
submit them using the
“Questions” feature
• Questions will be answered
at the end of the webinar

4. WRITTEN PROGRAMS

5. WRITTEN PROGRAMS
•DO know when written programs are
needed and not needed
NEEDED
• Respirators required
• Elastomeric
respirators are
voluntarily worn
NOT NEEDED
• No respirator use
• Voluntary use of
filtering facepieces

6. WRITTEN PROGRAMS
• DO know what elastomeric respirators
and filtering facepieces are

7. WRITTEN PROGRAMS
• DO ensure you are giving “voluntary
wearing respirator” employees a copy
of Appendix D

8. MEDICAL EVALUATIONS

9. MEDICAL EVALUATIONS
• DO NOT allow respirators to be worn
before an evaluation is complete
– Only exception: a person voluntarily wearing a
filtering facepiece

10. MEDICAL EVALUATIONS
• DO an evaluation for negative and
positive pressure respirators
• DO consider each type of respirator
worn

11. MEDICAL EVALUATIONS
• DO NOT conduct annually
1. Employee reports signs or symptoms related
to ability to wear respirator
2. PLHCP, administrator, or supervisor
determines it necessary
3. Info from RPP indicates a need
4. Change in workplace conditions substantially
increase physiological burden

12. FIT TESTING

13. FIT TESTING
• DO NOT conduct fit testing before
a medical evaluation is completed
• DO complete fit testing before the
initial use of the respirator

14. FIT TESTING
• DO know that fit testing is required on
all tight-fitting respirators; unless
voluntarily worn

15. FIT TESTING
• DO NOT conduct fit testing on any
loose-fitting respirators

16. FIT TESTING
• DO follow OSHA protocol
– Bitrex
– Saccharin Solution
– Isoamyl acetate (banana oil)
– Irritant smoke
• the respirator must be equipped with a HEPA or P100
series filter
• DO perform it annually

17. FACIAL HAIR

18. FACIAL HAIR
• DO not allow tight-fitting facepieces to be
worn by employees who have “facial hair
that comes between the sealing surface of
the facepiece and the face…”
• DO realize that there are options for
employees with facial hair
–loose-fitting respirators

19. FACIAL HAIR
• DO know that respirators can be worn
voluntarily with facial hair as long as
the employer determines there is no
hazard

20. FACIAL HAIR
• DO NOT allow fit testing to be
performed on an employee with facial
hair that interferes with the facepiece
seal

21. MAINTENANCE AND CARE

22. CHANGE OUT SCHEDULES
• DO recognize a need for a change
out schedule
–Must be based on available
data or information which
considers workplace factors such as
contaminant
concentration, airflow, temperature, a
nd humidity

23. CLEANING & STORAGE
• DO allow time for the cleaning of
the respirator
• DO ensure respirators are stored
so they are protected from damage
and contamination

24. TRAINING

25. TRAINING
DO NOT skimp on training
• Why respirator is
necessary
• Limitations and
capabilities
• Inspection, donning, and
doffing
• Seal checking
• Maintenance and storage
procedures
• Recognizing medical
signs and symptoms that
limit effectiveness

26. TRAINING
• DO conduct training before
respirator is worn
• DO perform training annually
–unless change in workplace or
respirator type and/or inadequacies in
employee knowledge or use

27. TRAINING
• DO online respiratory protection
training (KPA clients)

28. RESOURCES
• Small Entity Compliance Guide for
the Respiratory Protection
Standard
• Q & A on the Respiratory Protection
Standard

29. Got a Question? Ask our Expert!

30. Contact Information
30
The recorded webinar and presentation slides
will be emailed to you today.
www.kpaonline.com
bross@kpaonline.com
866-356-1735