Policy Respiratory Protection Plan

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PLAN

A. Management of Respirator Program

The EHRS Department is responsible for updating and administering all aspects of this plan. In addition, the EHRS Department shall carry out periodic review and evaluation of the effectiveness of the plan.
B. Basis for Selection of Respirators

1. Respirators shall be chosen based on identification and evaluation of hazard, in accordance with the NIOSH Respirator Decision Logic.

a. Hazard identification shall include a review of the chemicals in use with respect to their hazards, the availability of respirators for the chemical, and the potential of exposures.

b. If any air monitoring has been done to determine the level of exposures, this data will be considered in respirator selection.

2. Only NIOSH approved respirators shall be used. Parts and cartridges shall be used only with the mask for which they were intended. Any mixing and matching negates NIOSH approval.

3. If there is any doubt about the appropriateness of a respirator for a particular exposure, or about NIOSH approval of a particular respirator, advice will be gotten from NIOSH.

C.    Medical Testing

1. Persons will not be assigned tasks requiring the use of respirators unless they are physically able to perform work and use the equipment.

2. The respirators user's medical status shall be reviewed as required by OSHA.

D.    Fit Testing

1. Each individual who must wear a respirator shall be fit tested by a qualified individual, and a respirator which fits each individual shall be available.

2. The individual shall be given written notification of the brand and model which she/he can wear.

3. Individuals shall conduct positive and negative pressure fit test checks each time a respirator is donned to assure proper protection.

a. Positive Pressure Test: Close off the exhalation valves (usually found on the bottom or the center of the respirator) with your hand, and breathe into the facepiece. The fit is considered satisfactory if a slight pressure can build up inside the facepiece without air leaking.

b. Negative Pressure Test: Close off the inlet openings of the cartridge by covering them with the palm of the hand. Some respirators require that the filter holder be removed to seal off the intake valve. Inhale gently so that a vacuum occurs within the facepiece. Hold your breath for about 5 seconds. If the vacuum remains, and no inward leakage is detected, the respirator is properly fit.

E.    Cleaning and Disinfection

1. All respirators must be cleaned after each use (shift) unless they are the disposable type.

2. Cleaning Procedures:

a. Remove all filters, cartridges, and head-bands and disassemble the major respirator parts.

b. Wash all respirator parts (except cartridges and elastic headbands) in water with a cleaner-disinfectant solution, at about 120°F. Use a hand brush to remove dirt if necessary.

c. Rinse parts in warm water until all traces of detergent and disinfectant are gone. (to prevent dermatitis)

d. Air dry in a clean area.

e. Inspect all parts including valves and head straps. Replace all defective parts with the proper replacement parts.

f. Reassemble the respirator and insert new filters or cartridges. Make sure they are sealed properly.

g. Place the clean respirator in a new plastic bag and seal it for storage.

F.    Inspection

Respirators shall be routinely inspected before and after each use, and during cleaning. Emergency equipment, not used routinely shall be inspected after each use, and monthly.

1. Air-purifying respirators

a. Rubber facepiece

1. dirt

2. cracks, tears, or holes; obtain a new facepiece.

3. distortion; allow facepiece to sit free from any constraints and see if distortion disappears. If not, obtain a new facepiece.

4. cracked, scratched, or loose fitting lenses; contact manufacturer to see if replacement is possible. Otherwise, obtain a new facepiece.

5. inflexibility of rubber facepiece; replace facepiece.

b. Headstraps

1. breaks or tears; replace headstraps.

2. loss of elasticity; replace headstraps.

3. broken or malfunctioning buckles or attachments; obtain new buckles.

4. excessively worn separations on the head harness which might allow the facepiece to slip; replace headstrap.

c. Inhalation and exhalation valves

1. detergent residue, dust particles or dirt on valve or valve seat; clean residue with soap and water.

2. cracks, tears, or distortion in the valve cover material or valve seat; replace valve cover. Contact manufacturer for instructions on valve seat replacement.

3. missing or defective valve cover; replace valve cover; obtain from manufacturer.

d. Filter elements

1. appropriate for hazard and approved.

2. missing or worn gaskets; replace gaskets.

3. worn threads on filter and facepiece; replace filter or facepiece as appropriate.

4. cracks or dents in filter housing; replace filter.

5. deterioration of gas mask canister harness; replace harness.

6. check end-of-service-life indicator, if present, and expiration of shelf-life date on cartridge or canister.

2. Supplied air respirators

a. If there is a tight-fitting facepiece, use the procedures for air-purifying respirators, except those pertaining to the air-purifying elements.

b. If the device has a hood, helmet, blouse, or full suit:

1. examine the hood, blouse, or suit for rips, tears, and seam integrity.

2. examine the protective headgear for general condition, with emphasis on the suspension inside the headgear.

3. examine the protective face shield, if any, for cracks or breaks or impaired vision.

G.    Storage

1. Clean respirators must be stored to protect them against dust, sunlight, heat, extreme cold, excessive moisture or damaging chemicals.

2. Respirators shall be stored in resealable plastic or paper bags in a convenient, clean and sanitary location. Masks should be stored in a single layer with the facepiece and exhalation valve in a more or less normal position to prevent the rubber or plastic from becoming permanently distorted.

3. Cartridges shall be stored in the same location, but not attached to respirators unless they are the disposable type.

H.    Maintenance and Repair

1. Shall be done by experienced, qualified persons with parts designed for the respirator.

I.    Training

1. All employees who use respirators shall be instructed in:

a. the importance of correct selection and use of respirators

b. correct use and consequences of improper use

c. care and storage

d. how to achieve a proper fit each time a respirator is donned

e. limitations of respirators in use

f. demonstration and practice in how a respirator should be worn, how to adjust it, and how to determine if it fits properly

g. cleaning, inspection, repair and storage, so they can judge if their respirators have been appropriately treated.

2. Frequency

a. Training shall be conducted initially when it is determined that an employee can and shall wear a respirator, and whenever a non-user becomes a user.

b. Refresher training shall be conducted periodically.

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia • 600 South Forty-third Street • Philadelphia, PA 19104-4495 • phone: 215-596-8800 • email: safety@usip.edu

a.	Hazard identification shall include a review of the chemicals in use with respect to their hazards, the availability of respirators for the chemical, and the potential of exposures.
b.	If any air monitoring has been done to determine the level of exposures, this data will be considered in respirator selection.


2.	Only NIOSH approved respirators shall be used. Parts and cartridges shall be used only with the mask for which they were intended. Any mixing and matching negates NIOSH approval.

1.	Persons will not be assigned tasks requiring the use of respirators unless they are physically able to perform work and use the equipment.
2.	The respirators user's medical status shall be reviewed as required by OSHA.

1.	Each individual who must wear a respirator shall be fit tested by a qualified individual, and a respirator which fits each individual shall be available.
2.	The individual shall be given written notification of the brand and model which she/he can wear.
3.	Individuals shall conduct positive and negative pressure fit test checks each time a respirator is donned to assure proper protection.

a.	Positive Pressure Test: Close off the exhalation valves (usually found on the bottom or the center of the respirator) with your hand, and breathe into the facepiece. The fit is considered satisfactory if a slight pressure can build up inside the facepiece without air leaking.
b.	Negative Pressure Test: Close off the inlet openings of the cartridge by covering them with the palm of the hand. Some respirators require that the filter holder be removed to seal off the intake valve. Inhale gently so that a vacuum occurs within the facepiece. Hold your breath for about 5 seconds. If the vacuum remains, and no inward leakage is detected, the respirator is properly fit.

1.	All respirators must be cleaned after each use (shift) unless they are the disposable type.
2.	Cleaning Procedures:

a.	Remove all filters, cartridges, and head-bands and disassemble the major respirator parts.
b.	Wash all respirator parts (except cartridges and elastic headbands) in water with a cleaner-disinfectant solution, at about 120°F. Use a hand brush to remove dirt if necessary.
c.	Rinse parts in warm water until all traces of detergent and disinfectant are gone. (to prevent dermatitis)
d.	Air dry in a clean area.
e.	Inspect all parts including valves and head straps. Replace all defective parts with the proper replacement parts.
f.	Reassemble the respirator and insert new filters or cartridges. Make sure they are sealed properly.
g.	Place the clean respirator in a new plastic bag and seal it for storage.

1.	dirt
2.	cracks, tears, or holes; obtain a new facepiece.
3.	distortion; allow facepiece to sit free from any constraints and see if distortion disappears. If not, obtain a new facepiece.
4.	cracked, scratched, or loose fitting lenses; contact manufacturer to see if replacement is possible. Otherwise, obtain a new facepiece.
5.	inflexibility of rubber facepiece; replace facepiece.


1.	breaks or tears; replace headstraps.
2.	loss of elasticity; replace headstraps.
3.	broken or malfunctioning buckles or attachments; obtain new buckles.
4.	excessively worn separations on the head harness which might allow the facepiece to slip; replace headstrap.


1.	detergent residue, dust particles or dirt on valve or valve seat; clean residue with soap and water.
2.	cracks, tears, or distortion in the valve cover material or valve seat; replace valve cover. Contact manufacturer for instructions on valve seat replacement.
3.	missing or defective valve cover; replace valve cover; obtain from manufacturer.


1.	appropriate for hazard and approved.
2.	missing or worn gaskets; replace gaskets.
3.	worn threads on filter and facepiece; replace filter or facepiece as appropriate.
4.	cracks or dents in filter housing; replace filter.
5.	deterioration of gas mask canister harness; replace harness.
6.	check end-of-service-life indicator, if present, and expiration of shelf-life date on cartridge or canister.


a.	If there is a tight-fitting facepiece, use the procedures for air-purifying respirators, except those pertaining to the air-purifying elements.
b.	If the device has a hood, helmet, blouse, or full suit:


1.	examine the hood, blouse, or suit for rips, tears, and seam integrity.
2.	examine the protective headgear for general condition, with emphasis on the suspension inside the headgear.
3.	examine the protective face shield, if any, for cracks or breaks or impaired vision.

1.	Clean respirators must be stored to protect them against dust, sunlight, heat, extreme cold, excessive moisture or damaging chemicals.
2.	Respirators shall be stored in resealable plastic or paper bags in a convenient, clean and sanitary location. Masks should be stored in a single layer with the facepiece and exhalation valve in a more or less normal position to prevent the rubber or plastic from becoming permanently distorted.
3.	Cartridges shall be stored in the same location, but not attached to respirators unless they are the disposable type.


a.	the importance of correct selection and use of respirators
b.	correct use and consequences of improper use
c.	care and storage
d.	how to achieve a proper fit each time a respirator is donned
e.	limitations of respirators in use
f.	demonstration and practice in how a respirator should be worn, how to adjust it, and how to determine if it fits properly
g.	cleaning, inspection, repair and storage, so they can judge if their respirators have been appropriately treated.


a.	Training shall be conducted initially when it is determined that an employee can and shall wear a respirator, and whenever a non-user becomes a user.
b.	Refresher training shall be conducted periodically.