Air Purifying Respirator Use

OSHA Standard:

1910.134, Respiratory protection

The OSHA respirator standard applies to all occupational airborne exposures to contaminated air where the employee is:

• Exposed to a hazardous level of an airborne contaminant; or,
• Required by the employer to wear respirators; or Permitted to wear respirators by the employer

Types of Respirators:

Particulate Respirators

• Capture particles in the air, such as dusts, mists, and fumes.
• Do not protect against gases or vapors.

Combination Respirators

• Are normally used in atmospheres that contain hazards of both particulates and gases.
• Have both particulate filters and gas/vapor filters.

Gas & Vapor Respirators

• Are normally used when there are only hazardous gases and vapors in the air.
• Use chemical filters (called cartridges or canisters) to remove dangerous gases or vapors.
• Do not protect against airborne particles.
• Are made to protect against specific gases or vapors.

Requirements:

◦Medical Evaluation/ Questionnaire

◦Training on Hazards

◦Fit Testing to specific respirator

◦Cleaning and Maintenance

Voluntary Use:

◦Only allowed when the contaminate has not reached an action level.

◦Typically worn for comfort of user.

◦Signed Waiver explaining hazards and cleaning protocols App. D