 Defines standard operating procedures to ensure the protection of all employees from respiratory hazards  Includes: ◦ Selection and Use ◦ Cleaning and Maintenance

 Employee Exposure: exposure to a concentration of an airborne containment that would occur if the employee were not using respiratory protection  FIT Factor: A quantitative estimate of the fit of a particular respirator to a specific individual  FIT Test: A way to evaluate the fit of a respirator on an individual

 Hazardous Atmospheres: Atmosphere that contains contaminant (s) in excess of the allowable limit or has less than 19.5% oxygen. Contaminants can be generated from direct handling of chemical containing products or as a by-product from regular operations.  Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH): Atmosphere that poses an immediate threat to life, or would impair an individual’s ability to escape. IDHL for chlorine is 10 ppm.

 Protection Factor: A ratio of the air contaminate concentration outside the respirator to the air contaminate inside the respirator ◦ A protection factor of 10 means that the respirator can reduce air contaminates by a factor of 10  Maximum Use Concentration: The mathematical product of the permissible exposure limit (PEL) and the assigned protection factor ◦ Chlorine has a PEL of 0.5ppm. If you have a respirator with a protection factor of 10, then the maximum use concentration would be 5ppm (0.5ppm x 10 = 5ppm)

 Qualitative FIT Test: A pass/fail test that relies on an individuals response to the test  Quantitative FIT Test: A test performed by a computer to numerically measure the amount a respirator leaks

 User Seal Check: An action performed by the user to ensure a proper seal each time the mask is worn  NIOSH: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. They test and issue approvals for respirators

 Different respirators are used for different work environments and different jobs/tasks  Different respirators have different service lives (typically cartridge life)  Different respirators can protect from different/stronger contaminants

 What do you need protecting from? ◦ Physical, chemical, and toxicological determination of all possible contaminants ◦ Odor threshold data ◦ NIOSH recommended exposure limit ◦ ACGIH threshold limit value ◦ OSHA permissible exposure limit ◦ IDLH concentrations ◦ Eye irritation potential ◦ How quickly do these contaminants effect respirators and cartridges

 Monitoring should be done to determine the potential for employee exposure  The data collected during this monitoring should be put into a report and distributed to all employees  The monitoring should take place in normal work conditions

 Employees working in the process area must carry at least a “Half mask respirator” at all times that will allow evacuation in hazardous atmosphere conditions  In many cases a respirator is required as a precaution in the event of a process upset (ie Chlorine Leak)  An employee should not attempt to deal with an emergency situation when the atmosphere is unknown

 1. First Break involving certain chemicals ◦ The list of chemicals can be found in the PPE section ◦ The respirator must be worn for 5-10 min after the first break has been performed ◦ In the event of a release the respirator is used as an escape respirator  2. Loading Hydrochloric Acid ◦ Respirators are worn during the connect and disconnect process as a precaution ◦ The respirator should be worn for approximately minutes per connection

 All the visitor, temporary employees and contractor are required to carry an escape respirator while on the process.  Brief training regarding the use of escape respirator is proved to all the visitors and contractor before entering the plant.  These respirator is to used for escape purpose only and employees should not attempt to deal with the gas release wearing an escape respirator.

 One example of an engineering control in use at our facility that helps control atmospheric contamination is Chlorine Sensor AIG110.  A specific example of an operation at our facility that generates air contaminants or hazardous atmospheres is the acid column.  The specific type of respirator we use at our facility is a full face respirator for loading acid and in special circumstances. Half mask respirators are used for general respiratory precautions.

 At our facility: The location of the written respiratory protection program can be found in the Safety and Environmental manual. The place I will store my respirator when not in use is my personal locker.

 Respirator users must receive annual training in basic maintenance, inspection, and cleaning. Additional training includes FIT testing (also annually) and any other manufacturers specifications  Negative pressure respirators should not be used when facial scars interfere with the seal  No respirator can be used when any facial hair is present that could interfere with the seal

 Workers cannot be exposed to unvarying concentrations of hazardous substances. Individual exposures may vary throughout the facility, a work shift, or days.  The highest concentration of contaminate should be used to compute the required protection factor  Respirator wearers should be aware of the variability in human response to the warning properties of hazardous substances  A user seal check must be completed every time a cartridge respirator is put on

 Annual Requirement  Must be performed using an exact copy of the respirator that the employee will wear (Can be the exact respirator that will be worn)  Can be done using a qualitative or quantitative method  FIT Testing protocols must comply with OSHA requirements

 DO NOT supply oxygen  For use in areas containing 19.5% oxygen  DO NOT use when concentrations of contaminants are unknown  Leave area if: ◦ Breathing becomes difficult ◦ Dizziness or distress occurs ◦ Taste or smell contaminant  Follow all instructions carefully  Never alter or modify

 1. Headbands: Check to see they have their elasticity. Look for cracks or tears.  2. Face Piece: Check for dirt, cracks, tears, or holes. Inspect for distortion and make sure rubber is still flexible.

 3. Inhalation/Exhalation Valves: Check for cracks, tears, dirt, and build up of materials.  4. Cartridge Holders: Check gaskets and look for possible damage to threads.  5. Cartridge/Filters: Make sure they are clean and undamaged. Do NOT clean using compressed air.

 See that straps lie flat on head  Tighten lower “neck” straps  Tighten the “side” straps  Place both hands on headband pad and push it towards the neck

 Tighten “neck” and “side” straps again  Tighten forehead or “front” strap a few notches if necessary  Always perform a seal check by placing a palm over the exhale valve and gently exhale. Then place hands over the cartridges/filters and gently inhale till mask collapses

 Replace when taste gases or vapors, eye, nose, or throat irritation  If this does not occur cartridges should be changed every six months, or based on the cartridges expiration date

 Respirators should be regularly cleaned and disinfected. Respirator issued for exclusive one worker should be cleaned after each use by wiping interior and exterior with a damp cloth followed by a sanitizing wipe.  Do NOT overheat the respirator by using water warmer than 110°F

 When inspection shows some signs of problems, get a new respirator or fix the respirator immediately  Never distort rubber face piece