Respiratory Protection Program Overview Eltaneice Bolden Hao Xu Bob Chapman

Objectives of This Course Introduction Objectives of This Course Understand the elements of an effective program Understand the roles and responsibilities of various personnel Understand how to determine if respirator use can be considered voluntary and the requirements of voluntary respirators Understand how to evaluate a program’s effectiveness

Standard Audit Performance Standard 3.4-190 – Respiratory Protection Introduction Standard Audit Performance Standard 3.4-190 – Respiratory Protection Published in 2016, on JAS website

When must you wear a respirator? Introduction When must you wear a respirator? Effective engineering control is not in place Potential for overexposure Difficult to measure or assess the exposure

When must you wear a respirator? Introduction When must you wear a respirator? Oxygen deficient atmosphere (air supply only) Risk of IDLH exposure Respirator Program Coordinator determines one is required IDLH picture

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Exposure Assessment Qualitative vs. Quantitative Qualitative Exposure Assessment Risk = Exposure Rate X Toxicity of a chemical Quantitative Exposure Assessment Based on breathing zone air sampling measurements

Exposure Assessment Quantitative

Exposure Assessment Qualitative

Hierarchy of Controls Exposure Assessment Before using respirators, make sure that other controls are not practical. A respirator (PPE) is the last layer of defense!

Why Respirators Are the Last Choice? Exposure Assessment Why Respirators Are the Last Choice? If not used properly, they may not offer the required protection They can be hot, uncomfortable and make it hard to see or communicate

Why Respirators Are the Last Choice? Exposure Assessment Why Respirators Are the Last Choice? It can be hard to breathe if they are negative pressure respirators They are easily removed in contaminated air

Respirator Selection Seek Advice! Talk to your industrial hygienist or your on-site Industrial Hygiene Technician to help select the right respiratory protection for the task.

Any questions? Contact your regional Industrial Hygienist. Respirator Selection Which Respirator? Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH): An atmospheric concentration of any toxic, corrosive or asphyxiant substance that poses an immediate threat to life or would cause irreversible or delayed adverse health effects or would interfere with an individual's ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere. Any questions? Contact your regional Industrial Hygienist.

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Respirator Expo Respirator Expo Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Clean air delivered inside the mask Used in Confined Space Entry/rescue Good for Oxygen Deficiency, IDLH, chemicals with low OELs Note: For emergency use only!

SCBA Limitations Respirator Expo Use limited by amount of air in cylinder Weight & bulk decrease flexibility and mobility Face piece can limit visibility May limit hearing May affect ability to communicate Increases air consumption Increases body temperature

Air Line Respirator Clean air delivered inside the mask Respirator Expo Air Line Respirator Clean air delivered inside the mask Used in Paint shop painting processes Good for chemicals with low OELs Can be used in oxygen deficient and IDLH environments w/escape SCBA

Air Line Respirator Limitations Respirator Expo Air Line Respirator Limitations Loss of source air eliminates all protection to the user Hose affects maneuverability and may easily tangle or crimp. Face piece can limit visibility May limit hearing May affect ability to communicate

Air-Purifying Respirator (APR) Respirator Expo Air-Purifying Respirator (APR) Filtered air drawn in by inhaling Filter choice can be tailored to the contaminant Not for oxygen deficient environment Good for exposures above OEL

Air-Purifying Respirator Limitations Respirator Expo Air-Purifying Respirator Limitations Do not protect against oxygen-deficient atmospheres and IDLH Cartridges must be changed periodically Must choose the right cartridge for the contaminant of concern Will not provide adequate protection: In confined spaces, in major leak/spill events or for certain highly toxic chemicals.

Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Respirator Expo Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Filtered Air delivered to the mask Positive Pressure inside mask Filter Choice Can Be Tailored to the Contaminant Not for Oxygen Deficient Environments Good for exposures above OEL

PAPR Limitations Respirator Expo Not evaluated for use in flammable or explosive atmospheres Added weight/bulk decrease flexibility & mobility Face piece can limit visibility May affect ability to hear/communicate Not for oxygen-deficient & IDLH atmospheres

Respirator Expo Filter Cartridges Contaminant-specific cartridges Cartridges for vapors and for particulates Stackable (particulate pre-filter + cartridge filter) Need to consider cartridge life & maximum filter efficiency in high exposure areas & must establish a change schedule

Sample Filter Cartridge Selection Chart Respirator Expo Sample Filter Cartridge Selection Chart

Respirator Expo Filtering Face Piece For dusts and mists below OEL NO protection from Vapor or Gas Different ratings for filter efficiency and oil resistance (N, R, P) Valves improve breathing efficiency Good for exposures < 10% of the OEL

Filtering Face Piece Limitations Respirator Expo Filtering Face Piece Limitations Difficult to establish a good face seal Difficult to check whether the face seal is adequate

Filtering Face Piece with Charcoal Respirator Expo Filtering Face Piece with Charcoal Similar to filtering face piece for dust/mist Charcoal layer traps nuisance organic vapors Not used at or above Action Level Good for exposures below OEL

Filtering Face Piece with Charcoal Limitations Respirator Expo Filtering Face Piece with Charcoal Limitations Difficult to establish a good face seal Difficult to check whether the face seal is adequate.

Dust Mask Filtration Efficiency Respirator Expo Dust Mask Filtration Efficiency Type Filtration Efficiency of airborne particles Resistance to Oil N95 95% Not resistant N99 99% N100 99.97% R95 Somewhat resistant P95 Strongly resistant P99 P100

Program Requirements Voluntary Use Sometimes workers want to wear respirators even when no exposure over the action level is detected. This is acceptable when…

Voluntary Use Program Requirements When air sampling demonstrates the potential for overexposure as compared to the action level or an oxygen deficiency is unlikely When workers have been informed of the risks and limitations of the using of filtering face-pieces and other respirators.

Voluntary Use – OSHA Requirements 1910.134(c)(2) Program Requirements Voluntary Use – OSHA Requirements 1910.134(c)(2) Only provide voluntary respirator when employer determines that use will not in itself create a hazard Employer shall provide Appendix D: “Information for Employees Using Respirators When Not Required Under the Standard” https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=12716

Voluntary Use – OSHA Requirements 1910.134(c)(2) Program Requirements Voluntary Use – OSHA Requirements 1910.134(c)(2) Written Program Employer must establish and implement a written respiratory protection program necessary to ensure that any employee using a respirator voluntarily is medically able to use that respirator, and that the respirator is cleaned, stored, and maintained so that its use does not present a health hazard to the user. https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=12716

Voluntary Use – OSHA Requirements 1910.134(c)(2) Program Requirements Voluntary Use – OSHA Requirements 1910.134(c)(2) Exception: Employers are not required to include in a written respiratory protection program those employees whose only use of respirators involves the voluntary use of filtering face pieces (dust masks). https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=12716

Voluntary Use – GM Requirements Program Requirements Voluntary Use – GM Requirements Must establish and implement a written respiratory protection program The following conditions must be met:

Voluntary Use – GM Requirements Program Requirements Voluntary Use – GM Requirements Medical evaluation has determined the worker is physically capable of wearing a respirator Respirator must be cleaned, stored, & maintained so that its use does not present a health hazard to the user Training must be conducted for the voluntary use of half- or full face piece respirators and PAPRs

Voluntary Use – GM Requirements Program Requirements Voluntary Use – GM Requirements Voluntary use filtering face-pieces (e.g. efficiency-rated respirators such as N95s) and unrated masks (e.g. surgical mask, pollen mask) do not require a medical clearance evaluation Note: GM does not issue surgical masks for non-medical related use, nor does GM issue pollen masks for any use

Voluntary Use – GM Requirements Program Requirements Voluntary Use – GM Requirements Filtering Face Piece Respirators e.g., N95, R95, P95 Provide Appendix D of OSHA Standard Non-rated masks e.g., Pollen mask, surgical mask No OSHA respirator program requirements Respirators Not Respirators

Voluntary Use – Examples @ GM Program Requirements Voluntary Use – Examples @ GM Do you have any voluntary use respirators at your facility?

Medical Evaluation Program Requirements Conducted before issuing respirator to worker To ensure worker is physically able to wear the respirator Required to obtain a fit test Exception: filtering face pieces with and without an efficiency rating (e.g. N95s, surgical masks, pollen masks Note: surgical and pollen masks are not issued for use outside of Health Services activities.

Medical Surveillance Exam Program Requirements Medical Surveillance Exam Performed annually to determine if the respirator wearer has experienced any adverse health effects Workers wearing voluntary use respirators are not included in medical surveillance

Medical Evaluation vs Medical Surveillance Program Requirements Medical Evaluation vs Medical Surveillance Medical Evaluation Medical Surveillance Exam VS. To ensure that people are physically able to wear the respirator Annual exam to check ongoing suitability for respirator use

Roles and Responsibilities Program Requirements Roles and Responsibilities Respirator Program Coordinator (RPC) A designated, qualified person ultimately responsible for administering the respiratory protection program on site Must have sufficient knowledge in respiratory protection through at least attending a basic respiratory protection class Must have overall authority to coordinate all aspects of the program

Roles and Responsibilities Program Requirements Roles and Responsibilities Respirator Program Coordinator (RPC) Possesses knowledge of respirator selection, use, and maintenance Develops & implements facility respirator operating procedures Coordinates the following activities that involve respirators: Purchasing Distribution Program Evaluation Maintenance Fit Testing Cleaning Training

Roles and Responsibilities Program Requirements Roles and Responsibilities Safety and Industrial Hygiene Support Respirator Program Coordinator Assist in selection of appropriate respirators Conduct exposure assessments (IH) to determine need for respirator use

Roles and Responsibilities Program Requirements Roles and Responsibilities Health Services (Medical) Perform respirator medical evaluations and annual medical surveillance exams Determine when respirator cannot besafely worn by a worker

Roles and Responsibilities Program Requirements Roles and Responsibilities Respirator User Wear respirator according to instruction received in training Report respirator damage to Supervisor or RPC Replace cartridges/filters according to established schedule or when resistance increases or odor is detected, whichever comes first

Roles and Responsibilities Program Requirements Roles and Responsibilities Respirator User Maintain and store respirator according to instruction received in training Report any health effects related to respirator use to site Medical

Respirator Selection – Assigned Protection Factors Program Requirements Respirator Selection – Assigned Protection Factors Type of Respirator Quarter Mask Half Mask Full Face piece Helmet/ Hood Loose-fitting Face piece Air-Purifying Respirator 5 10 50 - Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) 1,000 25/1,000 25 Supplied-Air Respirator (SAR) or Airline Respirator Demand mode Continuous flow mode Pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode (e.g., open/closed circuit) 10,000

Respirator Selection – Maximum Use Concentration (MUC) Program Requirements Respirator Selection – Maximum Use Concentration (MUC) Maximum atmospheric concentration of a hazardous substance from which an employee can be expected to be protected when wearing a respirator. MUC=APF X OEL OEL: Occupational Exposure Limits, such as PEL, STEL, Ceiling, Peak Limits.

Respirator Selection – Maximum Use Concentration (MUC) Program Requirements Respirator Selection – Maximum Use Concentration (MUC) Whenever the exposures approach the MUC, then select the next higher class of respirator for the employees. Do NOT apply MUCs in immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) environments

Fit Test Requirement Each wearer must be fit tested for the respirator prior to use to ensure that the make, model, and size will provide an acceptable face to face piece fit. The fit test method used and the periodic update (e.g. annually) must follow either the local regulatory requirements or the manufacturer’s recommendation

Requirement Unacceptable Fit Test Facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the face piece and face or that interferes with valve function Any spectacle with temple bars or straps; and A head covering, goggles, face shield, welding helmet, or other PPE device which pass between the sealing surface of the RPE and the wearer’s face.

Fit Test Requirement Personnel that conduct fit testing must be evaluated annually and retrained if necessary This training must be provided by the fit test system manufacturing representative or personnel trained by the representatives

Fit Test Quantitative A quantitative fit test measures the adequacy of a respirator's fit by numerically measuring the amount of leakage into the respirator

Fit Test Qualitative A qualitative fit test is a pass/fail test that relies on the employee's response to a test agent For a saccharin or Bitrex test, an administrator challenges a subject wearing a respirator with a test aerosol

If the subject can taste the test agent, the respirator fails Fit Test Qualitative Prior to conducting the test, the administrator must determine if the subject can detect the test agent The subject dons the respirator and a fit test hood. The test aerosol (saccharin or Bitrex) is sprayed inside the hood If the subject can taste the test agent, the respirator fails

Fit Test Seal Check Perform prior to the donning of a negative or positive pressure tight- fitting face piece respirator Wearer must complete user seal check to determine if the RPE is properly fitted to their face and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions

Requirements Who should do the training? End User Training Requirements Who should do the training? The RPC is not required to do the training Typically done by the training department Each site must have a documented training program for respirators that covers the following:

Must cover: End User Training The potential and actual hazards for which respiratory protection may be used The adverse effects of exposure if the respirator is not properly used, including signs and symptoms of exposure Tasks and areas for which respiratory protection use is required

End User Training Must cover: Why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are, including the replacement requirements for filters and cartridges

End User Training Must cover: How to put on (don) and remove (doff), use, and conduct the user seal checks and fit test of the respirator

End User Training Must cover: How to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including situations in which the respirator malfunctions, and the use of emergency escape devices, including limited use SCBAs and mouthpiece devices

Must cover: End User Training How to inspect, maintain, and store respirators How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators Site specific work rules, such as facial hair policies Specialized training for workers who wear air-supplying respirators, including SCBAs and airline respirators

Equipment Inspection, Storage and Maintenance Equipment Maintenance Equipment Inspection, Storage and Maintenance Inspection Looking for damage End of Service Life Indicator (ESLI) Storage Respirators must be kept in good condition and free of contaminants.

Equipment Inspection, Storage and Maintenance Equipment Maintenance Equipment Inspection, Storage and Maintenance Maintenance In order to be maintained in a sanitary condition, each respirator should be washed according to the manufacturer’s instructions Repairs to respirators may only be performed by qualified personnel using only replacement parts approved by the manufacturer

Management of Change Requirements The site must have a documented process to identify, and control all new respiratory protection related hazards associated with people, equipment, or process changes Hazard Identification Inventories and Risk Assessments must be updated to reflect any changes

Requirements REMEMBER - PPE is the least desirable form of control Program Review Requirements REMEMBER - PPE is the least desirable form of control PPE will only protect if worn correctly and consistently SOT’s, training, worker and leadership accountability are all required to ensure compliance

Requirements Atmosphere exposure incidents, including near-misses Program Review Requirements Atmosphere exposure incidents, including near-misses Related corrective and preventative actions to ensure timely completion and evaluation trends

Requirements Fit testing records Program Review Requirements Fit testing records Inspection, maintenance, and storage of respirators Planned inspection records and employee feedback

Requirements Work procedures which specify the use of RPE Program Review Requirements Work procedures which specify the use of RPE Training effectiveness Assessment of the program against the long-term objective of eliminating the need to wear RPE

Program Review Requirements Review the results of this program evaluation during the Leadership Review process

Proper Documentation of Respirator Program Program Documentation Proper Documentation of Respirator Program Hazard identification and risk assessment documentation GM Health Services and medical surveillance records Worker training records

Proper Documentation of Respirator Program Program Documentation Proper Documentation of Respirator Program Planned inspection documentation Program evaluation documentation Provide Appendix D to all users of Voluntary Respirators

Inventory of Tasks and Required RPE Program Documentation Inventory of Tasks and Required RPE You need to know: Which tasks require RPE What RPE is required for those tasks Who is required to wear it This includes wearers of Voluntary Respirators *RPE: Respiratory Protection Equipment

Resources Global IH Sharepoint Site https://globalih.share.gm.com/ Respiratory Protection Webpage https://globalih.share.gm.com/rp

GM Respiratory Protection site champion training module on GM LMS Resources UAW-GM JAS Website, What’s New area, UAW-GM Safety System Audit Performance Standards, Respiratory Protection APS 3.4-190 GM Respiratory Protection site champion training module on GM LMS Guidelines for Acceptable Respirator Program https://sihms.share.gm.com/GDPS%2034190/Guidelines%20for %20Acceptable%20Respirator%20Program.doc

Questions?

Contact Your Regional Industrial Hygienist and UAW IH Technician for more information!