A Guide to Understanding and Optimizing Your Respiratory Protection Program

To establish a successful respiratory protection program in the workplace, it is crucial to be familiar with and adhere to the requirements set by local and national governing bodies, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). If you have already researched this, you are aware that it can be quite daunting. In order to simplify the process, we have compiled an outline of the key aspects of the federal standard, along with the necessary steps for optimization and compliance.

Adhering to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations is critical for safeguarding employees from hazardous airborne substances. Failure to comply can result in costly fines, injuries, or even fatalities. Thus, this guide aims to assist you in strengthening your respiratory protection program to meet OSHA’s standards. Utilizing the information provided can ensure a safe environment for all your workers!

Obviously, the best solution for worker protection from hazardous airborne pollutants is to remove or remediate the pollutant at its source. OSHA makes this point very clearly but recognizes that this is not always possible. When it is the case that the pollutant cannot be removed or its concentration lowered to a non-harmful level, the next-best solution is to protect the worker by using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as respirators. This overview will focus on that part of the Respiratory Protection Program.

We at AccuTec created this guide to help you understand the basics of your Respiratory Protection Program for keeping employers and employees safe.

OSHA Respiratory Protection Standards.

It’s essential to ensure the best protection for employees by adhering to OSHA regulations. Understand that employers must provide employees with respiratory protection when exposed to hazardous airborne substances. Furthermore, you must realize that a good RPP is a dynamic entity– definitely not a “once-and-done” task.

In compliance with OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.134, when respiratory protection is required, employers must have an established written respiratory protection program that is maintained by a program administrator and provides oversight of the following:

• Evaluating exposure to airborne pollutants. (i.e., can it be remediated?)
• If not, choose suitable respiratory protective equipment.
• Assessing employees’ health to ensure respirator compatibility.
• Regularly conducting fit-testing and training for employees.
• Inspecting, repairing, cleaning, storing, and replacing respirators as required.
• Periodic review of the program to ensure proper implementation.
• Maintaining comprehensive documentation of all the aforementioned steps.

Who Needs a Respiratory Protection Program

A Respiratory Protection Program is essential for workplaces that handle or produce hazardous substances or inhalants. A protection program should include regular respirator/face fit tests for anyone using respirators. Performing these tests will ensure the most significant safety when working in such environments.

The following industries are some of the many that must follow this regulation:

• Chemical Industry
  • FIT TESTING IN THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY

• Military
• Healthcare & Medical
• First Responders
• Oil & Gas Industry

3 Ways to Optimize a Respiratory Protection Program

Employers can guarantee a successful respiratory protection program by following these three simple rules:

1. Educating employees and administering proper fit testing
2. Abiding by OSHA Respiratory Protection Standards
3. Regularly reviewing the program.

By following these protocols, the employer is proactively protecting the respiratory health of the worker, and adhering to the standards promulgated by OSHA.

1. Educate Employees and Conduct Respiratory Fit Testing.

Employers must ensure that their respiratory protection program follows the rules set by OSHA. This includes regular training and education on respiratory protection. Fit testing not only ensures a good fit for the respirator chosen for the task but also helps employees understand how to use their respiratory protection equipment.

AccuFIT 9000 | AccuFIT 9000 PRO

2. Regularly Monitor Compliance.

Adhering to OSHA regulations concerning respiratory protection is vital for employers. This is accomplished through fit testing and monitoring the efficacy of their program. To guarantee that their respiratory protection program meets OSHA standards, employers must evaluate their program periodically. Periodic unannounced inspection of employees’ respirators, review of the current schedule for employees to be re-tested, and periodic environmental review are some of the ways this can be accomplished. Remember to document these actions.  Doing this ensures compliance with requirements while providing peace of mind knowing they have a dependable system.

3. Create Effective Program Documentation.

OSHA states that all employers must create a comprehensive respiratory protection program. This includes:

• Hazard Assessments
• Selection of appropriate respirators
• Medical evaluations
• Fit tests for workers
• In-depth training sessions on proper usage and maintenance
• Ongoing care for devices.

By following this guide, employees can stay safe from hazardous airborne particles, vapors, and other environmental insults that can harm their respiratory health.

How to Prepare a Respiratory Protection Program.

Following these steps in preparing a respiratory protection program ensures the workplace is efficient and secure.

Step 1: Evaluating exposure to airborne pollutants.

As a safety manager, it’s crucial to implement appropriate respiratory protection measures and equipment. Start by determining the kinds and amounts of airborne contaminants present at your work site. A comprehensive and well-documented exposure assessment process will assist you in:

• Recognizing potential health hazards for employees.
• Prioritizing these risks to address the most severe ones first.
• Evaluating exposure levels to determine their acceptability.
• Creating a strategy to manage unacceptably high exposure levels.
• Maintaining exposure records for worker communication and adherence to government regulations.

Exposure assessments are conducted to guarantee proper respirator selection. To determine exposure levels, workplace air samples representative of the work period, exposure assessments based on similar processes, or professional judgment will be employed. Personal sampling equipment, aligned with industrial hygiene standards, may be utilized in each work area. Sample results will identify areas needing respiratory protection. The exposure assessment will take place before tasks requiring respiratory protection commence. Periodic reviews of exposure assessments, as mandated by OSHA substance-specific standards or at least every 12 months, will evaluate the continued need for respiratory protection and the appropriateness of respirator selections.

Step 2: Choosing suitable respiratory protective equipment.

Selecting the right respirator for your workplace is essential for ensuring employee safety. First, identify the hazard type present in your work environment, such as particulates or gasses/vapors.

Then, determine if your workers need respiratory protection based on exposure assessment results and compare these levels to the occupational exposure limit (OEL) or permissible exposure limit (PEL) set by OSHA. Next, establish the level of protection required by calculating the assigned protection factor (APF) for NIOSH-approved respirators.

Finally, choose a respirator type that offers the necessary protection, is compatible with other protective equipment, and ensures comfort and usability for employees.

Management selects and approves respirators for use, considering the physical and chemical properties of air contaminants and the concentration levels employees are likely to encounter. The Respiratory Protection Program Administrator will promptly provide a respirator to each employee assigned to a job requiring respiratory protection. Replacement respirators, cartridges, and filters will be supplied as necessary. For chemical cartridge respirators, the program administrator must establish a cartridge replacement schedule based on objective information or data.

Step 3: Assessing employees’ health to ensure respirator compatibility.

Wearing a respirator can place additional strain on the body, potentially putting those with underlying medical conditions at risk. OSHA mandates medical evaluations before employees can be fit-tested or wear a respirator, even in workplaces where respirators are worn voluntarily.

The medical evaluation consists of a questionnaire, reviewed by a physician or licensed health care professional (PLHCP), which determines the employee’s suitability for respirator use. Employers must provide time during working hours for employees to complete the questionnaire at no cost to the employee.

Step 4: Regularly conduct fit-testing and training for employees.

Employees assigned to jobs requiring respirators will receive instructions from their supervisor regarding their responsibilities within the respiratory protection program. They will also be educated on the necessity, usage, limitations, and care of their respirator. Retraining will be provided at least every 12 months after the initial training.

Fit testing is an essential aspect of any respiratory protection program. It guarantees that the respirator fits securely around the face to prevent hazardous particles from entering the body.

OSHA mandates qualitative or quantitative fit testing for users of mandatory respirators prior to use on the job, with assessments conducted at least once a year. Additional fit tests should be carried out when a different respirator size, style, model, or make is used, or when facial changes, might impact the fit.

Step 5: Inspecting, repairing, cleaning, storing, and replacing respirators as required.

To maintain respirator effectiveness, it’s essential to inspect, repair, clean, store, and replace them as needed. Regularly inspect respirators for damage, wear, and proper functioning. Repair or replace damaged parts promptly. Clean respirators according to manufacturer guidelines, ensuring thorough disinfection and drying. Store respirators in a clean, dry area away from contaminants, and replace them or their components based on manufacturer recommendations or when they show signs of deterioration.

Step 6: Periodic review of the program to ensure proper implementation.

Periodic reviews of the respiratory protection program are crucial to guarantee its proper implementation. Regular evaluations help identify any shortcomings, compliance issues, or changes in workplace conditions that may require adjustments to the program. By addressing these concerns promptly, you can maintain an effective and up-to-date respiratory protection program, ensuring the safety and well-being of your employees. These revisions must be done yearly to guarantee compliance with OSHA standards.

The workplace will undergo reviews and evaluations at least every 12 months to confirm the proper implementation of the written respiratory protection program and to consult with employees about their correct respirator usage.

Each evaluation will generate a written report summarizing the findings. Any identified deficiencies will be addressed with corrective actions, which will be documented. Copies of the summary reports will be attached to this program.

Step 7: Maintaining comprehensive documentation of all the aforementioned steps.

The employer must appoint a program administrator with suitable training or experience, proportional to the program’s complexity, to manage or supervise the respiratory protection program and carry out the necessary evaluations of its effectiveness.

Hazard evaluations, medical assessments, fit testing outcomes, training records, and assessment registers must be kept for a minimum of 30 years for workplace safety protection.

Employers can ensure their respiratory protection program safeguards employees from hazardous air by following the steps in this guidebook. Employers can guarantee that their protective measures are up-to-date and effective by optimizing and managing the program according to OSHA’s standards.

AccuTec, Your Partner in Face Fit Solutions

By revolutionizing fit testing, AccuTec is leading the industry with its innovative yet cost-effective machines and solutions. Let us be your fit test partners, get a quote today.