Frequently Asked Questions about Respirator Programs

Do you have a respirator program at your facility? Whether your program is in its infancy, or it is a seasoned program, questions most likely crop up. The next two articles from Safety Partners will include the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - and most importantly the answers - that the Consulting Safety Officers of Safety Partners, Inc. come across while implementing respirator programs at client sites. Here is the first set of FAQ. Be sure to check the next Safety Partners, Inc. article for the second set.

What are filtering facepieces (dust masks)?

Filtering Facepiece: A particulate respirator with a filter as an integral part of the facepiece or with the entire facepiece composed of the filtering medium, also called single-use dust or dust and mist respirators and disposable respirators. (NIOSH Definition)

Filtering Facepiece (Dust Mask): A negative pressure particulate respirator with a filter as an integral part of the facepiece or with the entire facepiece composed of the filtering medium. (OSHA Definition)

How are dust masks rated?

They are rated according to the ability of the filtering material to filter out particles through the facepiece itself, as well as their resistance to oil.

Respirators that filter out at least 95% of airborne particles during "worst case" testing using a "most-penetrating" sized particle are given a 95 rating. Those that filter out at least 99% receive a "99" rating. And those that filter at least 99.97% (essentially 100%) receive a "100" rating.

• N means not resistant to oil.
• R means resistant to oil. (There are also R95 masks available.)
• P means oil-proof.

Can anyone be the program administrator?

OSHA expects that this individual has training commensurate with the complexity of the program. This may require the program administrator to take outside courses to make up any deficits. Program responsibilities may NOT be divided among several employees.

What should an employer do if they don't know the employees' exposure level?

If an employer is unable to determine the employees' exposure level, OSHA expects them to consider the workplace environment IDLH ("immediately dangerous to life and health"). IDLH environments require a high level of respiratory protection, such as a self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), so it is to the advantage of the company to have data or supporting information to be able to determine the exposure level.

Data can be obtained from air monitoring, in some cases from comparable industry applications, or from calculations of compound volatility under the specified temperature etc., taking into account the size of the room, the ventilation etc. This may require the services of a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)

For voluntary use of respirators, what type of training is required?

Safety Partners recommends basic training similar to that for required use, in addition to providing a copy of Appendix D of the OSHA Respirator Protection Standard, as required.

Does the employer need to keep a record of who receives copies of Appendix D?

It is a good idea to retain a record or sign-off sheet upon distributing Appendix D.

For assistance with these and other FAQs contact Safety Partners, Inc. or visit the OSHA website (www.osha.gov).

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Safety Partners efficiently and cost-effectively implements hands-on environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs at emerging life sciences companies. Safety Partners tailors its programs to each client's unique science, processes, procedures, and facilities, while reducing program implementation burdens. Its expertise is unmatched, clocking over 85,000 hours at over 120 New England life sciences firms.