RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION A REFRESHER CLASS

Welcometo a self-guided refresher class for respirator users needing annual training. This class consists of:1. This Respiratory Protection Powerpoint 2. A Respirator Inspection Powerpoint 3. A short online quiz

To proceed with the class, you the student, are in control. Slides and text will progress with the click of the mouse. In a few cases, changes will happen automatically.Enjoy your session and learn lots!

As a respirator user, each year you are required to…. To meet these requirements………. • Complete this session and test • Complete a refresher class • And have a successful respirator fit test with the respirator you use • Contact your EH&S representative to schedule a respirator fit test or check on the EH&SS web site calendar for fit testing times at your facility.

The respiratory hazards in your workplace should be evaluated by your supervisor…. • At the time of hire • If you are a new respirator user • Before you begin working with new or different chemicals • Before you begin working with the same chemicals under different conditions If any of these change, inform your supervisor

Respiratory Hazard Assessment Table….. • Complete for each task, chemical or type of chemical • Submit it to your EH&S representative TheRespiratory Hazard Assessmentform (and an example of a completed form)can be obtained by contacting your EH&S representative or by downloading the formhere

When evaluating respiratory hazards, your supervisor should also….. • Evaluate what type of respiratory protection should be used such as • Type of respirator • Filter and cartridge needed • How long the filter and cartridges can be used • Evaluate other personal protective equipment needed as well Contact your EH&S representative for respiratory protection recommendations

Before using respirators, always evaluate the possibility of…. • Using engineering controls by • Opening windows or doors • Using local exhaust fans or chemical fume hoods • Using administrative controls by • Substituting less hazardous chemical • Reducing exposure time to the chemical • Contracting out work • Working outdoors

Evaluating your health is also important when using a respirator, because… • Using a respirator adds stress to the cardiovascular and respiratory system. • This added stress could complicate or add to some existing health conditions. • Typically when using a respirator, other PPE is also used, creating additional stress on the body. • To help evaluate your health risks……..

A medical questionnaire is required • As a new respirator user • Every two years or if directed differently by the physician • Whenever a user’s health changes significantly

A respirator medical questionnaire Is confidential and only seen by the health care provider • Is reviewed by a licensed health care provider • Is obtained by contacting your EH&S representative or at the following L&I website: Check out L&I Website Submit your completed questionnaire in the provided self-addressed return envelope to your EH&S representative

Selecting a proper respirator ? • Important things to remember! • EH&S has many makes and models to try • EH&S will assist in selection • If you are a new user or you already use a respirator and are having problems with it, contact your EH&S representative for assistance

Selecting a proper respirator • MORE important things to remember! • Know the contaminants and their concentrations that you are being exposed to • If there isn’t sufficient oxygen present(below 19.5%),supplied air respirators must be used • If contaminants or their concentrations present Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) conditions, supplied air respirators must be used

Selecting a proper respirator • If contaminants have poor warning properties (taste, smell, irritant), supplied air respirators must be used • If you have facial hair, or can’t fit any respirator, powered air purifying helmet units can be used whenever a negative pressure respirator can be used.

Selecting filters and cartridges Pesticides • Check the label for recommendation • For most all pesticides the following two are recommended: • Dust/mist/fumes filter • No spray oils present: N-95 or P-100 (HEPA) • Spray oils present: R-95 or P-100 (HEPA) • Toxics • Organic vapor cartridge (OV), or OV and acid gas cartridge, or multi-contaminant cartridge

Selecting filters and cartridges • Solvents and corrosives • Contact your EH&S representative or respirator manufacturer • Solvents can have poor warning properties and short breakthrough times • Asbestos and other respirable particles (< 10 um) • P-100 (HEPA) filters • Nuisance dust, mists, fumes • N-95, R-95 (if contain oil), or P-100 filters

Testing your respirator • When first selecting a respirator, finding one that has a good seal and is comfortable is done by trying a variety of respirators and passing a respirator fit test by EH&S • Several factors can lead to a respirator that does not seal properly • That is why a respirator fit test is required annually to help insure its fit and to review your use and care of the respirator

Factors that can change fit • Recent dental work, and dentures • Facial surgery, treatments, scars • Weight loss or gain of 15 pounds or more • Facial changes from aging • Improper storage and maintenance of respirator • Respirator straps losing their elasticity

A major factor that affects fit FACIAL HAIR • A respirator fit test cannot be given if there is facial hair present. • A good fit cannot be expected the day you use your respirator when not clean shaven

When getting a respirator fit test: • Be clean shaven in the area of the respirator seal zone that day • Bring your respirator

Using your respirator properly Before you use your respirator, be sure you understand: • Inspections (Review Respirator Inspection presentation) • Donning and doffing (on and off) • Maintenance • Changing cartridges and filters • What to do when things go wrong

1. Before you use your respirator… • Inspect the respirator to make sure all parts are in place, in good condition, clean, and operable • Make sure cartridges and filtersare the proper ones for the job and are not damaged and not expired • After donning the respirator, do a positive and negative fit check -Demonstration

2.How you put on your respirator is important • Placing a half-face first on the bridge of the nose and tightening the upper straps first insures placement for best comfort and prevention from sliding down when perspiring • Make sure the straps are adjusted evenly on both sides and the respirator is centered on the face. Using a mirror is helpful for full-face users • Adjusting too tight can result in a poor fit from distortion, discomfort and pain, short use periods due to discomfort, headaches

How you put on your respirator is important • Donning Particulate Respirators • Donning Dual Cartridge Respirators • Donning Half-face Respirators • Donning Full-face Respirators

When removing your respirator • Remove your contaminated gloves first • If the respirator is contaminated, decontaminate the respirator or put new clean gloves on before removing your respirator

3. Knowing when to change filters and cartridges is very important • There must be a written change-out schedule for them in the work area so employees change them out consistently • Very few cartridges have change-out indicators on them telling you when to change them • For solvents and acids, contact the manufacturer or an EH&S representative

Changing cartridges and filters • For pesticides and toxics change them after eight hours of use. • If periods of use are shorter than 8 hours, add cumulative times. • If periods in-between use extend 2 weeks or more reduce the eight hour total time.

Changing filters • N-95 filters – change when breathing becomes more difficult due to resistance • R-95 filters – change after eight hours of use when mists containing oil are present • P-100 – change when breathing becomes more difficult due to resistance

4. Taking good care of your respirator will increase its useful lifetime and insure it works properly… when you need it to.

Keep a clean respirator • Dirt particles under exhalation valves can reduce your seal/fit factor • Dirt, oils, bacteria, soaps, and disinfectants left on respirators can lead to skin irritation and dermatitis so make sure your respirator is clean and well rinsed before each use • It is recommended to clean after each use

Clean your respirator properly • Clean in warm water (not to exceed 100o F) • Use a mild detergent • Wash with a soft sponge (brush if resistant) • Rinse with running (required) warm water (not to exceed 100o F) • Sanitize (required) and rinse again • Recommend using one-step combination detergent/sanitizer to reduce sanitizer step

Clean your respirator properly • Dry the respirator with a lint free cloth • Or hang in a clean area until dry • Package it up as soon as it is dry. Do not leave hanging out • Inspect the respirator after re-assembly • Review the Respirator Inspection presentation

Repair • Replace worn and defective parts with parts ONLY for that specific respirator • Do not use a respirator until all necessary repairs are completed • Have readily available the most commonly needed parts for timely repair to insure a working respirator is always used

It makes a lot of sense to…store your respirator properly • It prevents it from getting distorted, which will cause it to lose its ability to fit properly and require it to be replaced • It prevents it from getting damaged • It prevents it from becoming contaminated reducing the protection it can provide

Good storage means…. • Storage in an uncontaminated area • Store contaminated cartridges separate from respirator • Store cartridges and respirator in clean sealed containers such as self-sealing bags or sealed plastic containers • To prevent distortion,store in separate hard containers and not in tool boxes or with other items

Good storage also means… • Storage away from heat, sun, and moisture • Moisture can reduce the life of some cartridges • Leaving cartridges unsealed can reduce their useful life

When things go wrong KNOW WHAT TO DO

If you experience… • Warning signs of taste, smell, irritation, cough • Medical symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath, chest pain, over exertion • Signs and symptoms of exposure to contaminants

Get out of area to fresh air and remove respirator • Get out of area to fresh air and remove respirator • Get out of area to fresh air and remove respirator • Get out of area to fresh air and remove respirator • Get out of area to fresh air and remove respirator

When safely in fresh air, What to check and do… • Inspect respirator • Change cartridges or filters • Red-don respirator and do positive and negative fit checks to your satisfaction • Re-enter and if conditions persist, exit and notify your supervisor • Address medical and exposure symptoms and inform supervisor

Why is it important to make sure your fit is good, and that you use and maintain the respirator properly?

So that your respirator can provide the level of protection it is designed to give… and the level of protection you need

If you don’t do these things You operate with a false sense of protection and open yourself to: • Chronic exposures you never know about • Acute exposures that you will know about later- after it’s too late for protection

Potential hazards you could be exposed to include… • Toxics where acute or chronic exposure could result in systemic poisoning, illness, organ disfunction, sensitization,or death • Corrosives (acids), which can cause temporary or permanent tissue damage in the respiratory system • Carcinogens & particulates, which can lead to cancer or other respiratory illnesses respectively • Allergens that promote illness, allergic reaction, reduced productivity, & sensitization

Using respiratory protection makes it possible for you to work safely Following your Respiratory Protection Program allows you to work with confidence

The Respiratory ProtectionRefresher Training is complete Click if you are ready to take the training quiz Click here if you would like to return to the beginning of the training to review for the quiz Return to the EH&S training menu to take the Respirator Inspection PowerPoint as part of this training

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION