1 Respiratory Protection Program Overview 2011

2 Objective To review the NET Respiratory Protection Program and respirator operations for ongoing training or in preparation for the annual exam. NOTE – this presentation is not a complete training presentation for SCBA.

3 RPP Changes/Updates Adopted a maximum 2 year period for medical evaluations 2011 – new SCBA!

4 RPP Requirements Designate RPA Have a current and effective written RP program Regularly ask wearers about their views concerning program effectiveness and whether they have any problems with:  Fit  Effects of respirator use on work performance  Appropriateness for hazards encountered  Proper use under current worksite conditions  Proper maintenance

5 RPP Requirements Have written procedures for: – Respirator selection – Medical evaluations – Fit testing – Training – Respirator use, inspection, care and maintenance – Ensuring air quality – Evaluating program effectiveness Keep records – Fit testing – Training – Medical approvals – Air quality – SCBA repair and maintenance

6 The District Must: Identify the jobs requiring use of a respirator: – Firefighting – EMS Have a process for personnel requirements

7 Initial Medical Evaluation and Approval Initial fit test Initial training Quarterly donning Annual knowledge/skill test Annual Fit test Regular Medical re-evaluation RPP Process - personnel ABLE TO wear a respirator in a hazardous environment

8 Respirator Operations and Usage Respirators must be worn in atmospheres that: Are suspected of being hazardous Are hazardous May rapidly become hazardous AND Respirators must be worn when providing care for or transporting a patient with a biological aerosol hazard, such as TB or SARS or patients with flu like symptoms

9 This includes: In an active fire area, directly above or below a fire area In potentially explosive fire areas, including gas leaks or fuel spills Vehicle fires and dumpster fires During overhaul When contaminants are suspected (even if you can’t see them) During fire investigations if asbestos is suspected Continued….

10 This includes: In an active chemical spill area where the chemical presents an inhalation hazard Where toxic products are present, suspected of being present or may be released without prior warning AND…

11 On the EMS side, don’t forget to don/wear your respirator when: You are around an individual with suspected (or confirmed) TB, SARS or with flu-like symptoms. This includes: entering any area - house, healthcare facility, etc. performing patient care transporting Flu-like symptoms – fever or decreased temperature; chills; aching body, especially head, lower back and legs; extreme weakness and tiredness

12 Operations and Usage On a properly functioning respirator, do not remove the facepiece for any reason in a hazardous atmosphere or when the quality of air is not known; IDLH or not does not matter. ONLY use the make, model and size respirator for which you have passed a fit test in the last 12 months Perform a user seal check EVERY time you don a respirator (not required for N95/100)

13 Operations and Usage LEAVE the hazardous area if: The SCBA low air alarm or thermal alarm activate HUD shows a low battery condition in the HUD or Power Module Control module alarm button flashes red Audi-larm rings or airmask free-flows You taste or smell a contaminant You experience nose or throat irritation Breathing becomes difficult or there is a change in breathing resistance Dizziness, nausea, coughing or sudden fatigue or weakness occurs The respirator is not functioning according to instructions or training You need to adjust the respirator You must replace a cartridge, filter or SCBA cylinder

14 Operations and Usage Perform field decontamination before you remove a respirator if you may have been exposed to a hazardous substance during firefighting or investigations ALWAYS operate in teams of 2 or more when using SCBA

15 Responsibilities Members must: Use proper level of respiratory protection, when and where required and in the manner in which you were trained Inform your supervisor if you have ANY problems Care for, maintain and store respirators properly Perform regular checks of SCBA Maintain their level of proficiency Guard against damage to respiratory equipment

16 Responsibilities Supervisors must: ENSURE that members do what they are supposed to do Be knowledgeable about the program Maintain an awareness of tasks, work areas and operations - ensure and enforce that members wear the appropriate respirator Ensure assigned members have had a medical evaluation, fit test and appropriate training - and have understood the training – before using a respirator in a hazardous atmosphere Ensure quarterly skills and an annual test is completed by each assigned member Ensure conditions do not require a respirator if a member informs the supervisor of voluntary use

17 Respirators Must meet standards –NIOSH, NFPA Must be regularly inspected –Before use, after use, during cleaning –SCBA monthly –SCBA daily at staffed stations –After service or repair, SCBA shall receive a monthly check before being placed back in-service –If kept in storage as replacement units (not on apparatus as backups), an SCBA will receive a monthly inspection before being placed into service

18 Respirators Must be maintained according to manufacturer’s recommendations Must be maintained in clean and sanitary condition which includes cleaning and disinfecting: after each use, before being worn by another member and as often as necessary Must be stored properly Must have repairs performed by trained and authorized persons

19 SCBA Are NOT authorized for use as SCUBA gear Are NOT designed for vertical lifting or lowering from the backplate/harness Buddy breathing and quick fill (except for RIT) are not allowed If, in a rare and extraordinary circumstance it should be used as a lift/lower device, it must be taken out of service and referred to the manufacturer for inspection.

20 Training Initial training is required before the member is allowed to use a respirator in workplace (hazardous atmosphere) Retraining annually and when necessary is required Is required before using air filling systems Written respiratory test is required annually – equipment operations – safety – organizational policies and procedures

21 Program Effectiveness Members are informed they are supposed to report problems, inconsistencies and hazards that have not been addressed An annual written respiratory protection program report is provided to the Fire Chief Records are kept Annual training and testing is conducted

22 Respirators used in SBFD8 Air Purifying Respirators – N95/100 Supplied Air Respirators – SCBA

23 Air Purifying Respirators N95/100

24 Supplied Air Respirators – SCBA MSA FireHawk M7 AirMask

25 HUD: 4 green lights = full cylinder Facepiece, shown with HUD attached

26 Changing HUD Batteries Field procedure, conducted by members Open, remove battery cartridge, remove batteries Inspect cartridge. Damage? Tag out of service & notify supervisor Use ONLY Rayovac, Energizer or Duracell AAAs – install in cartridge Verify O Ring is in good condition (if not, tag OOS and notify) Hand – tighten cap back on battery tube

27 Control Module and PASS Monitors and presents information on: Cylinder pressure Battery status Thermal alarm Time remaining

28 3 Control Buttons

29 Alarms Pre-alarm Full alarm Thermal alarm

30 Power Module and PASS Power module On backplate Cylinder stop Emits audible PASS alarms Buddy lights Cable connection to control module Members can change batteries

31 Second Stage Regulator Cylinder valve, Audi-Larm and URC Other Components

32 Rapid Intervention RIT Options 1.Connect RIT to SCBA URC – refill cylinder 2.Attach RIT regulator to firefighter facepiece 3.Provide firefighter with facepiece from RIT bag

33 Cleaning and Disinfecting SCBA Equipment must be kept in clean and sanitary condition.