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Safety and Health Topics Respiratory Protection In Focus California Wildfires Hot Topics eTools An estimated 5 million workers are required to wear respirators in 1.3 million workplaces throughout the United States. Respirators protect workers against insufficient oxygen environments, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays. These hazards may cause cancer, lung impairment, other diseases, or death. Compliance with the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard could avert hundreds of deaths and thousands of illnesses annually.  The following questions link to information relevant to respiratory protection in the workplace. What OSHA standards apply? Standards | Regulatory Agenda | Preambles to Final Rules | More How are respiratory hazards recognized?   What are some examples of possible solutions for workplace hazards?   What additional information is available? Related Safety and Health Topics Pages | Training | Other Resources In Focus California Wildfires Keeping Workers Safe During Clean Up and Recovery Operations. OSHA. Includes links to OSHA fact sheets & QuickCards, related Safety and Health Topics Pages, training programs, and other resources. Hot Topics Hurricane Recovery Keeping Workers Safe During Clean Up and Recovery Operations Following Hurricanes. OSHA. Includes information such as news releases, public service announcements, fact sheets, frequently asked questions, and more. General OSHA Revises Respiratory Protection Standards. OSHA Trade News Release, (2006, August 23). Announces the new Assigned Protection Factors (APFs) rule that includes an APF table to guide employers in respirator selection in its revised respiratory protection standard. Assigned Protection Factors; Final Rule. OSHA Federal Register Final Rules 71:50121-50192, (2006, August 24). Revises the existing Respiratory Protection Standard to add definitions and requirements for Assigned Protection Factors (APFs) and Maximum Use Concentrations (MUCs). The revisions also supersede the respirator selection provisions of existing substance-specific standards with these new APFs (except for the respirator selection provisions of the 1,3-Butadiene Standard). eTools Respiratory Protection. OSHA. Offers expert assistance to businesses seeking to comply with the new respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134) and provides information on the development of respirator cartridge change schedules. Also, addresses respirator selection, and other requirements of the standard.  Safety and  Health Topics     Respiratory Protection   OSHA Standards   Hazard Recognition   Possible Solutions   Additional Information   Credits   Content Reviewed 07/12/2007

 

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