Figure 1:
Air-line
respirator.
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Figure 2: Supplied air
hood.
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Figure 3:
Air-purifying
respirator.
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OSHA hierarchy of controls is:
-
Engineering Controls
-
Administration Controls
-
Personal Protective Equipment
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Respiratory protection is used to protect workers from the
effects of toxic, corrosive, or irritant vapors; and gases, dusts, mists, fumes, and
fibers when engineering controls are not adequate or feasible. Respirators used
can range from sample disposable dust masks to more complex supplied air respirators.
The OSHA
Respiratory Protection Publication (OSHA 3079) and the OSHA Respiratory Protection Advisor can
provide employers and employees information about:
- Respiratory protection program requirements
- Use of respirators
- Air monitoring for exposures
- Selection of respirators
- Employee training
- Fit testing of respirators
- Inspection and maintenance of respirators
- Medical evaluation of employees using respirators
- Breathing air requirements
Note: There are additional PPE
requirements for health-related hazards (such as Lead [1910.1025],
Arsenic [1910.1018], Asbestos
[1910.1001],
and Cadmium
[1910.1027]).
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Requirements for Respirators |
Potential Hazards:
Workers may be exposed to hazardous
atmospheres that result in:
- Being overcome by lack of oxygen
- Occupational illness due to long-term low-level exposures (for
example
asbestos, silica, lead)
- Acute or systemic illness from exposure to solvents paints and
cleaners
- Acute respiratory damage due to exposure to corrosives (such as
acids, gases, mists)
- Severe illness or even death from inhaling toxic
materials (such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide).
Requirements and Example Solutions:
Respiratory protection for shipyard employment is covered
by 1910.134, which includes the
following:
- "In the control of those occupational diseases caused by
breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists,
gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors, the primary objective shall be to
prevent atmospheric contamination. This shall be accomplished as far
as feasible by accepted engineering control measures (for example,
enclosure or confinement of the operation, general and local
ventilation, and substitution of less toxic materials). When
effective engineering controls are not feasible, or while they are
being instituted, appropriate respirators shall be used pursuant to
this section." [1910.134(a)(1)]
- Respirators must be provided when such equipment is necessary to
protect the health of the worker. [1910.134(a)(2)]
- Respirators which are applicable and suitable for the purpose
intended must be provided [1910.134(a)(2)]
- A respiratory protection program must be established and
maintained. [1910.134(a)(2)]
Specific operations that have additional
requirements include:
Additional Resources:
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Figure 4: Abrasive blaster with
blast hood.
Figure 5: Painter with supplied
air respirator.
Figure 6: Clean respirator.
Figure 7: Improper practice: Dirty respirator.
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