Respiratory Protection Program Template

Respiratory Protection Program

Table of Contents

I.OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE

II.DEFINITIONS

III.RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Program Administrator
  2. Management
  3. Supervisors
  4. Employees
  5. Third Party Contractors

IV.PROCEDURE

  1. Hazard Assessment and Respirator Selection
  2. Updating the Hazard Assessment
  3. Respirator Certification
  4. Voluntary Respirator Use
  5. Medical Evaluation
  6. Fit Testing
  7. General Respirator Use Procedures
  8. Air Quality
  9. Change Schedules
  10. Cleaning

K.Respirator Care

  1. Respirator Malfunctions and Defects
  2. Emergency Procedures
  3. Program Evaluation
  4. Documentation and Recordkeeping

V.TRAINING

A.Employee Training

B.Employee Testing

C.Training Records

VI.REFERENCES

A.Regulatory and Industry Standard References

B.Site Policy Reference

VII.APPENDICES

Appendix A - User Seal Check Procedures

Appendix B - Respiratory Protection Hazard Assessment and Certification Form

Appendix C - Hazard Assessment

Appendix D - Medical Questionnaire

Appendix E - Change Schedules Guide

Appendix F - Respirator Inspection Checklist

Appendix G - Respiratory Protection Test

VIII.DOCUMENT CONTROL

Respiratory Protection Program

for

[Company Name/Location]

I.OBJECTIVEAND SCOPE

The [Company Name/Location] Respiratory Protection Program is designed to protect employees by establishing practices for respirator use, providing guidelines for respirator selection, and training on limitations, storage, use and care of respirators. The procedures described in this Program are intended to facilitate compliance with applicable governmental regulations. If there is a conflict between this Program and a governmental regulation, the governmental regulation will apply and this Program will be modified. However, all other requirements in this Program apply even if more stringent than governmental regulations.

This program applies to all employees who wear respirators during normal work operations, as well as during some non-routine or emergency operations, such as a spill of a hazardous substance. In addition, any employee who voluntarily wears a respirator when one is not required is subject to the medical evaluation, cleaning, maintenance, and storage elements of this program, and will be provided with necessary training. Employees who voluntarily wear filtering facepieces (dust masks) are not subject to the medical evaluation, cleaning, storage, and maintenance provisions of this Program.

II.DEFINITIONS

Aerosol means a gaseous suspension of liquid droplets or solid particles. Aerosols may remain dispersed in air for a prolonged period of time. Types of aerosols include: dust, fog, fume, mist, smoke, and spray.

APR (Air-purifying respirator) means a respirator with an air-purifying filter, cartridge, or canister that removes specific air contaminants by passing ambient air through the air-purifying element. Air-purifying respirators include the following three types of respirators:

A.gas and vapor respirators;

B.particulate (aerosol) respirators; and

C.combination gas, vapor, and particulate respirators.

Breakthrough means the penetration of a gas or vapor contaminant through a gas or vapor air-purifying element of a respirator, such a filter cartridge, because of an impairment in the ability of the filter material to remove, adsorb, or absorb the contaminant.

Dust mask (see filtering facepiece)

Employee exposure means exposure to a concentration of an airborne contaminant that would occur if the employee were not using respiratory protection.

Filtering facepiece (dust mask) means a negative pressure, particulate APR incorporating a filter as an integral part of the facepiece or with the entire facepiece composed of the filtering medium.

Fit test means the use of a protocol to evaluate the fit of a respirator on an individual. See also Qualitative fit test and Quantitative fit test.

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter means a filter that is at least 99.97% efficient in removing monodisperse (monosized) particles of 0.3 micrometers in diameter. Filters for APRs designated as N100, R100, and P100 by NIOSH (National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health) are equivalent to HEPA filters. (Reference: U.S. Regulation 42 CFR 84)

Hood means a respiratory inlet covering that completely covers the head and neck and may also cover portions of the shoulders and torso.

Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) means an atmosphere that poses an immediate threat to life, would cause irreversible adverse health effects, or would impair an individual's ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere.

Inlet covering (see respiratory inlet covering)

Loose-fitting facepiece means a respiratory inlet covering that is designed to form a partial seal with the face.

Monodisperse (monosized) particles means a collection of particles that have the same size, and shape.

Negative pressure means the reduced pressure that occurs inside an APR with a tight fitting facepiece during inhalation when the air pressure inside the facepiece is less than the ambient air pressure outside the respirator.

NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) means the U.S. federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injuries and illnesses. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Oxygen deficient atmosphere means an atmosphere with an oxygen content below 19.5% by volume.

PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) means the maximum airborne exposure to a substance permitted in the workplace by the U.S. OSHA, as documented in the OSHA Air Contaminants Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1000.

Positive pressure respirator means a respirator in which the pressure inside the respiratory inlet covering exceeds the ambient air pressure outside the respirator.

PAPR (Powered Air-Purifying Respirator) means an APR that uses a blower to force the ambient air through air-purifying elements to the inlet covering.

Pressure demand respirator means a positive pressure SAR that admits breathing air to the facepiece when the positive pressure is reduced inside the facepiece by inhalation.

Qualitative fit test means a pass/fail fit test to assess the adequacy of respirator fit that relies on the senses of the person wearing the respirator to detect and respond to the presence of the test agent whenever the respirator fit is inadequate.

Quantitative fit test means an assessment of the adequacy of respirator fit that relies on an objective, numerical measurement of the quantity of the test agent leaking into the respirator.

Respirator means a device designed to protect the wearer from inhalation of harmful substances. Respirators fall into the following three general classifications, according to mode of operation:

A.SARs (supplied-air respirators);

B.APRs (air-purifying respirators); and

C.Combination SAR/APR units.

Respiratory inlet covering means that portion of a respirator that forms the protective barrier between the user's respiratory tract and an air-purifying device or breathing air source, or both. It may be a facepiece, helmet, hood, suit, or a mouthpiece respirator with nose clamp.

SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) means an SAR (supplied-air respirator) for which the breathing air source is designed to be carried constantly by the user.

Service life means the period of time that a respirator, filter, sorbent, or other respiratory equipment provides adequate protection to the wearer.

SAR (Supplied-Air Respirator) means a respirator that supplies the respirator user with breathing air from a source independent of the ambient atmosphere. This includes SCBA units and also units for which the source of breathing air is not designed to be carried by the user, such as an airline (air-hose) respirator.

Tight-fitting facepiece means a respirator facepiece designed to form a complete, air-tight seal with the face.

TLV® (Threshold Limit Value) means a voluntary guideline regarding the safe airborne level of exposure to a chemical, and below which no unreasonable risk of disease or injury should be created. TLVs® are determined and published by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, an independent scientific organization.

User seal check means a routine check conducted by the respirator user to determine if the respirator facepiece is properly sealing. User seal checks shall not be used as substitutes for qualitative or quantitative fit tests. For additional information about user seal check procedures, see Appendix A. User Seal Check Procedures

III.RESPONSIBILITIES

A.Program Administrator

The Respiratory Protection Program Administrator for [Company Name/Location] is [Responsible Person]. The Program Administrator is responsible for administering the Respiratory Protection Program. Duties of the Program Administrator include:

1.Identifying work areas, process or tasks that require workers to wear respirators.

2.Evaluating hazards for which respiratory protection may be required.

3.Selecting appropriate respiratory protection.

4.Monitoring respirator use to ensure that respirators are used in accordance with their specifications.

5.Arranging for and/or conducting training.

6.Ensuring proper storage and maintenance of respiratory protection equipment.

7.Conducting qualitative or quantitative fit testing.

8.Administering the medical evaluation Program.

9.Maintaining records required by the Program.

10.Evaluating the Program.

11.Updating written Program, as needed.

The Program Administrator shall also ensure that applicable governmental regulations have been reviewed for particular requirements which are applicable to facility operations and that adjustments have been made to this Program that are specific to the facility in order to ensure an effective, comprehensive Program.

B.Management

[Company Name/Location] management provides respirators to employees when they are necessary for health protection. The company will provide respirators that are applicable and suitable for the intended purpose at no charge to affected employees. Any expense associated with training, medical evaluations and respiratory protection equipment will be borne by the company.

C.Supervisors

Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that the Respiratory Protection Program is implemented in their particular areas. In addition to being knowledgeable about the Program requirements for their own protection, supervisors must also ensure that the Program is understood and followed by the employees under their charge. Duties of the supervisor include:

1.Ensuring that employees under their supervision receive appropriate training, fit testing, and medical evaluation before respirators are used.

2.Ensuring the availability of appropriate respirators and accessories.

3.Knowing each task requiring the use of respiratory protection.

4.Ensuring the proper use of respiratory protection at all times.

5.Ensuring that respirators are properly cleaned, maintained, and stored according to this Program.

6.Checking that respirators fit well and do not cause discomfort.

7.Continually monitoring work areas and operations to identify respiratory hazards.

8.Coordinating with the Program Administrator to address respiratory hazards or other concerns regarding this Program.

D.Employees

Each employee is responsible for wearing his or her respirator when and where required and in the manner in which they are trained. Employees must also:

1.Care for and maintain their respirators as instructed, guard them against damage, and store them in a clean, sanitary location.

2.Inform their supervisor if their respirator no longer fits well, and request a new one that fits properly.

3.Inform their supervisor or the Program Administrator of any respiratory hazards that they feel are not adequately addressed in the workplace and of any other concerns that they have regarding this Program.

4.Use the respiratory protection in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the training received.

E.Third Party Contractors

Third Party Contractors are responsible for complying with this Program, and shall insure that their employees have the necessary training to comply with this Program.

IV.PROCEDURE

A list of all employees and processes that fall under the provisions of this Program shall be maintained.

A.Hazard Assessment and Respirator Selection

The Program Administrator will select respirators to be used, based on the hazards to which workers are exposed and in accordance with [List applicable governmental regulation(s)]. The Program Administrator will conduct a hazard evaluation for each operation, process, or work area where airborne contaminants may be present in routine operations or during an emergency. A record of identified hazards will be maintained by the Program Administrator (See Appendices B and C for hazard assessment forms). The hazard evaluations shall include:

1.Development of a list of hazardous substances used in the workplace by department or work process;

2.Review of work processes to determine where potential exposures to hazardous airborne substances may occur. This review shall be conducted by surveying the workplace, reviewing the process records, and talking with employees and supervisors; and

3.Employee exposure monitoring to quantify potential hazardous exposures.

The proper type of respirator for the specific hazard involved will be selected in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Documentation of work areas with respiratory hazards, affected employees and appropriate respiratory protection will be maintained by the Program Administrator in accordance with the [Company Name/Location] Personal Protective Equipment Program.

B.Updating the Hazard Assessment

The Program Administrator must revise and update the hazard assessment anytime changes occur to the building, equipment, and processes that could potentially affect employee exposure. If an employee feels that respiratory protection is needed during a particular activity, he/she is to contact his/her supervisor or the Program Administrator. The Program Administrator will evaluate the potential hazard, and arrange for outside assistance as necessary. The Program Administrator will then communicate the results of that assessment to the employees. If it is determined that respiratory protection is necessary, all other elements of the Respiratory Protection Program will be in effect for those tasks, and the Program will be updated accordingly.

C.Respirator Certification

All respirators must be certified by a recognized authority, such as the NIOSH, and shall be used in accordance with the terms of that certification. All filters, cartridges, and canisters must be labeled with the appropriate approval label. The label must not be removed or defaced while the respirator is in use.

D.Voluntary Respirator Use

Even when exposures are below the exposure limit, properly selected and worn respirators may provide an additional level of comfort and protection for workers. The Program Administrator shall review employee requests for voluntary use of respiratory protective equipment on a case-by-case basis, depending on specific workplace conditions and the results of medical evaluations.

When respiratory protection is not required, employees who voluntarily wear respirators (other than filtering facepieces) must comply with the requirements in the Medical Evaluation, General Respirator Use Procedures, Cleaning, Maintenance and Storage portions of this Program.

In addition, each employee provided with a respirator for voluntary use shall take the following precautions to be sure that the respirator itself does not present a hazard:

1.All instructions provided by the manufacturer on use, maintenance, cleaning and care, and warnings regarding the respirator’s limitations will be read and followed;

2.A respirator certified for use to protect against the appropriate contaminant(s) of concern will be selected and used. A label of certification or statement by the certification authority should be visible on the respirator, or respirator packaging, which communicates the type(s) of contaminants for which the respirator is effective;

3.Atmospheres containing contaminants for which the respirator is not designed, will not be entered. For example, an atmosphere containing solvent vapors will not be entered with a respirator designed to filter only particulates or aerosols; and

4.Each respirator will be identified, assigned, stored and tracked so that an employee will not accidentally use a respirator that is assigned to another person.

E.Medical Evaluation

Employees who are either required to wear a respirator, or, who choose (voluntarily) to wear a respirator, must pass a medical exam before being permitted to wear a respirator on the job. Employees are not permitted to wear respirators until a physician has determined that they are medically able to do so. The only exception to this requirement is for an employee who voluntarily wears a filtering facepiece. Any employee refusing the medical evaluation will not be allowed to work in an area requiring respirator use.

A licensed physician selected by [Company Name/Location] will provide the medical evaluations. Medical evaluation procedures are as follows:

1.The medical evaluation will be conducted using the Medical Questionnaire provided in Appendix D. The Program Administrator will provide a copy of this questionnaire to all employees requiring medical evaluations.

2.To the extent feasible, the company will provide assistance to employees who are unable to read the questionnaire. When this is not possible, the employee will be sent directly to the physician for medical evaluation.

3.All affected employees will complete the questionnaire and provide it to the physician. Employees will be permitted to complete the questionnaire on company time.

4.Follow-up medical exams will be granted to employees as deemed necessary by the evaluating physician.

5.All employees will be granted the opportunity to speak with the physician about their medical evaluation, if they so request.

6.The Program Administrator shall provide the evaluating physician with a copy of this Program, a copy of the applicable respiratory protection standard, the list of hazardous substances by work area, and the following information about each employee requiring evaluation:

a.his or her work area or job title;

b.proposed respirator type and weight;

c.length of time required to wear respirator;

d.expected physical work load or work effort (See Appendix D Medical Questionnaire, Item B. 12, for examples of “light,” “moderate” and “heavy” work effort categories);

e.potential temperature and humidity extremes; and

f.any additional protective clothing required.

7.Positive pressure APRs, such as PAPRs (powered air-purifying respirators), may be approved for use by employees if required by medical or industrial hygiene necessity.

8.After an employee has received clearance to wear his or her respirator, additional medical evaluations will be provided under the following circumstances: