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10.0 Respiratory Protection

áTable Of Contents

View the Sokudo Respiratory Protection Program.

10-1: Respiratory Protection Overview

This section provides an overview of respiratory protection. For details and instructions see the Sokudo Respiratory Protection Program.

Feasible engineering controls are the primary measures used to control employee exposure to harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gasses, smokes, sprays, or vapors. Such engineering controls include, but are not limited to enclosures and confinement, 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 are used as specified by the following requirements.

Applicable and suitable respirators are provided when necessary to protect employee health.

A Sokudo Respiratory Protection Program has been established and is properly maintained to protect employees from atmospheric contamination and/or hazards. Key elements of the program include:

• A written standard operating procedure governing the selection and use of respirators.

• Selection of respirators based on hazardous exposure per ANSI Z 88.1.

• Instruction and training of users concerning proper respirator use and their limitations.

• Regular cleaning and disinfection of respirators and thorough cleaning and disinfection before use by another employee.

• Respirators are to be stored in a convenient, clean, and sanitary location.

• Routine inspection of respirators during cleaning and replacement of worn or deteriorated parts. Respirators for emergency use such as self-contained breathing apparatus, are to be thoroughly inspected at least monthly and after each use. Records are maintained of these inspections.

• Work areas are routinely surveyed to review work area conditions and degree of employee exposure or stress.

• Regular inspections and evaluations are conducted to determine continued program effectiveness. A formal annual evaluation is conducted and a written report prepared.

• A determination must be made and recorded that employees are physically able to wear respiratory protection and are able to perform the work and use the equipment prior to assigning them to wear respirators. The consulting physician has determined the pertinent physical conditions. The respirator users' medical status is reviewed at least annually.

• Only approved respirators (per ANSI Z 88.1) are worn which provide adequate respiratory protection against the particular hazard. Recognized authorization for respirator approval include ANSI, U.S. Department of Interior, Mine Safety and Health Administration, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

10-2: Respirator Use

Standard procedures for emergency and routine respirator use have been developed which include all information and guidance necessary for proper selection, use, and care.

The correct respirator is to be specified for each job by a qualified industrial hygienist.

10-3: Education and Training

Supervisors and employees are properly instructed by competent persons in the selection, use, and maintenance of respirators. During the training program respirator users are provided an opportunity to handle the respirator, have it fitted properly, test its face piece-to-face seal, wear it in normal air for a long familiarity period, and to wear it in a test atmosphere. This training is to be arranged by Service Managers. Any qualified provider can be used. Sokudo has used the company AORM on several occasions and received excellent results from this company in environment monitoring, training, and fit testing.

 10-4: Fitting

Every respirator wearer must receive fitting instructions including demonstration and practice in how the respirator should be worn, how to adjust it, and how to determine if it fits properly. 

Respirators must not be worn when conditions prevent a good face seal including growth of a beard, sideburns, temple pieces on glasses, or absence of dentures.

Worker diligence in observing respirator fit factors is evaluated by periodic checks. Also, the respirator wearer has been instructed to check the respirator face-piece fit each time the respirator is donned as prescribed by the respirator manufacturer instructions.

10-5: Corrective Glasses and Respirator Use

There may be problems with respirator seals due to the temple pieces, therefore individuals wearing corrective lenses must obtain special authorization and approved to wear full face respirators. Special provisions will be made to ensure that employees can safely wear the respirator.

10-6: Maintenance and Care of Respirators

A respirator maintenance and care program is provided which covers the type of operations, working conditions, and hazards involved. The program includes:

• Inspection for defects (including leak checks),

• Cleaning and disinfecting,

• Repair, and storage

Respirator Inspections

All respirators are to be routinely inspected before and after use by the user to ensure they meet their original effectiveness. Any defects, or possible defects, detected are to be  reported to supervision so the necessary evaluations and maintenance can be performed prior to reuse.

Respirators not routinely used, but kept ready for emergency use, are to be inspected after each use and at least monthly to assure they are in satisfactory working condition. A record is to be maintained of these inspections showing the date of the inspection and findings.

Cleaning and Disinfection

Routinely used respirators are to be collected, cleaned, and disinfected as frequently as necessary to ensure proper wearer protection. Emergency use respirators are to be cleaned and disinfected after each use.

Replacement and Repairs

Respirator replacement and repairs are to be performed with parts designed for the respirator only by authorized and experienced persons and per the manufacturers recommendations. Reducing or admission valves or regulators are to be returned to the manufacturer or to a trained technician for adjustment or repair.

Storage

Respirators are to be stored so as to protect against dust, sunlight, heat, extreme cold, excessive moisture, or damaging chemicals. Routinely used respirators may be placed in plastic bags.

Emergency respirators placed at stations and in work areas for quick accessibility are to be stored in special compartments built for that purpose. These compartments are to be clearly marked. Storage of respirators in lockers or tool boxes are prohibited unless they are in carrying cases or cartons.

Respirators are to be packed or stored so that the face-piece and exhalation valve rest in a normal position and functions will not be impaired by elastomer setting in an abnormal position.

10-7: Respirator Filters

Note: Orange shall be used as a complete body, or stripe color to represent gases not included in this table. The user will need to refer to the canister label to determine the degree of protection the canister will afford.