1. RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
A REFRESHER CLASS

2. Welcome to a self-guided refresher class for respirator users needing annual training.
This class consists of: 1. This Respiratory Protection Powerpoint 2. A Respirator Inspection Powerpoint 3. A short online quiz

3. To proceed with the class, you the student, are in control
To proceed with the class, you the student, are in control. Slides and text will progress with the click of the mouse. In a few cases, changes will happen automatically. Enjoy your session and learn lots!

4. As a respirator user, each year you are required to….
To meet these requirements……….
Complete a refresher class
Complete this session and test
And have a successful respirator fit test with the respirator you use
Contact your EH&S representative to schedule a respirator fit test or check on the EH&SS web site calendar for fit testing times at your facility.

5. The respiratory hazards in your workplace should be evaluated by your supervisor….
At the time of hire
If you are a new respirator user
Before you begin working with new or different chemicals
Before you begin working with the same chemicals under different conditions
If any of these change, inform your supervisor

6. Respiratory Hazard Assessment Table…..
Complete for each task, chemical or type of chemical
Submit it to your EH&S representative
The Respiratory Hazard Assessment form
(and an example of a completed form) can be obtained by contacting your EH&S representative or by downloading the form here

8. When evaluating respiratory hazards, your supervisor should also…..
Evaluate what type of respiratory protection should be used such as
Type of respirator
Filter and cartridge needed
How long the filter and cartridges can be used
Evaluate other personal protective equipment needed
as well
Contact your EH&S representative for respiratory
protection recommendations

9. Before using respirators, always evaluate the possibility of….
Using engineering controls by
Opening windows or doors
Using local exhaust fans or chemical fume hoods
Using administrative controls by
Substituting less hazardous chemical
Reducing exposure time to the chemical
Contracting out work
Working outdoors

10. Evaluating your health is also important when using a respirator, because…
Using a respirator adds stress to the cardiovascular and respiratory system.
This added stress could complicate or add to some existing health conditions.
Typically when using a respirator, other PPE is also used, creating additional stress on the body.
To help evaluate your health risks……..

11. A medical questionnaire is required
As a new respirator user
Every two years or if directed differently by the physician
Whenever a user’s health changes significantly

12. A respirator medical questionnaire
Is confidential and only seen by the health care provider
Is reviewed by a licensed health care provider
Is obtained by contacting your EH&S representative or at the following L&I website:
Check out L&I Website
Submit your completed questionnaire in the provided self-addressed return envelope to your EH&S representative

13. Selecting a proper respirator?
Important things to remember!
EH&S has many makes and models to try
EH&S will assist in selection
If you are a new user or you already use a respirator and are having problems with it, contact your EH&S representative for assistance

14. Selecting a proper respirator
MORE important things to remember!
Know the contaminants and their concentrations that you are being exposed to
If there isn’t sufficient oxygen present (below 19.5%), supplied air respirators must be used
If contaminants or their concentrations present Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) conditions, supplied air respirators must be used

15. Selecting a proper respirator
If contaminants have poor warning properties (taste, smell, irritant), supplied air respirators must be used
If you have facial hair, or can’t fit any respirator, powered air purifying
helmet units can be used whenever a negative pressure respirator can be
used.

16. Selecting filters and cartridges
Pesticides
Check the label for recommendation
For most all pesticides the following two are recommended:
Dust/mist/fumes filter
No spray oils present: N-95 or P-100 (HEPA)
Spray oils present: R-95 or P-100 (HEPA)
Toxics
Organic vapor cartridge (OV), or OV and acid gas cartridge, or multi-contaminant cartridge

17. Selecting filters and cartridges
Solvents and corrosives
Contact your EH&S representative or respirator manufacturer
Solvents can have poor warning properties and short breakthrough times
Asbestos and other respirable particles (< 10 um)
P-100 (HEPA) filters
Nuisance dust, mists, fumes
N-95, R-95 (if contain oil), or P-100 filters

18. Testing your respirator
When first selecting a respirator, finding one that has a good seal and is comfortable is done by trying a variety of respirators and passing a respirator fit test by EH&S
Several factors can lead to a respirator that does not seal properly
That is why a respirator fit test is required annually to help insure its fit and to review your use and care of the respirator

19. Factors that can change fit
Recent dental work, and dentures
Facial surgery, treatments, scars
Weight loss or gain of 15 pounds or more
Facial changes from aging
Improper storage and maintenance of respirator
Respirator straps losing their elasticity

20. A major factor that affects fit
FACIAL HAIR
A respirator fit test cannot be given if there is facial hair present.
A good fit cannot be expected the day you use your respirator when not clean shaven

21. When getting a respirator fit test:
Be clean shaven in the area of the respirator seal zone that day
Bring your respirator

22. Using your respirator properly Before you use your respirator, be sure you understand:
Inspections (Review Respirator Inspection presentation)
Donning and doffing (on and off)
Maintenance
Changing cartridges and filters
What to do when things go wrong

23. 1. Before you use your respirator…
Inspect the respirator to make sure all parts are in place, in good condition, clean, and operable
Make sure cartridges and filters are the proper ones for the job and are not damaged and not expired
After donning the respirator, do a positive and negative fit check
-Demonstration

24. 2.How you put on your respirator is important
Placing a half-face first on the bridge of the nose and tightening the upper straps first insures placement for best comfort and prevention from sliding down when perspiring
Make sure the straps are adjusted evenly on both sides and the respirator is centered on the face. Using a mirror is helpful for full-face users
Adjusting too tight can result in a poor fit from distortion, discomfort and pain, short use periods due to discomfort, headaches

25. How you put on your respirator is important
Donning Particulate Respirators
Donning Dual Cartridge Respirators
Donning Half-face Respirators
Donning Full-face Respirators

26. How to put on a half-face respirator

27. How to put on a half-face respirator

28. How to put on a half-face respirator

29. How to put on a half-face respirator

30. How to put on a half-face respirator

31. How to put on a full-face respirator

32. How to put on a full-face respirator

33. How to put on a full-face respirator

34. When removing your respirator
Remove your contaminated gloves first
If the respirator is contaminated, decontaminate the respirator or put new clean gloves on before removing your respirator

35. 3. Knowing when to change filters and cartridges is very important
There must be a written change-out schedule for them in the work area so employees change them out consistently
Very few cartridges have change-out indicators on them telling you when to change them
For solvents and acids, contact the manufacturer or an EH&S representative

36. Changing cartridges and filters
For pesticides and toxics change them after eight hours of use.
If periods of use are shorter than 8 hours, add cumulative times.
If periods in-between use extend 2 weeks or more reduce the eight hour total time.

37. Changing filters
N-95 filters – change when breathing becomes more difficult due to resistance
R-95 filters – change after eight hours of use when mists containing oil are present
P-100 – change when breathing becomes more difficult due to resistance

38. 4. Taking good care of your respirator will increase its useful lifetime and insure it works properly…
when you need it to.

39. Keep a clean respirator
Dirt particles under exhalation valves can reduce your seal/fit factor
Dirt, oils, bacteria, soaps, and disinfectants left on respirators can lead to skin irritation and dermatitis so make sure your respirator is clean and well rinsed before each use
It is recommended to clean after each use

40. Clean your respirator properly
Clean in warm water
(not to exceed 100o F)
Use a mild detergent
Wash with a soft sponge
(brush if resistant)
Rinse with running (required) warm water (not to exceed 100o F)
Sanitize (required) and rinse again
Recommend using one-step combination detergent/sanitizer to reduce sanitizer step

41. Clean your respirator properly
Dry the respirator with a lint free cloth
Or hang in a clean area until dry
Package it up as soon as it is dry. Do not leave hanging out
Inspect the respirator after re-assembly
Review the Respirator Inspection presentation

42. Repair
Replace worn and defective parts with parts ONLY for that specific respirator
Do not use a respirator until all necessary repairs are completed
Have readily available the most commonly needed parts for timely repair to insure a working respirator is always used

43. It makes a lot of sense to… store your respirator properly
It prevents it from getting distorted, which will cause it to lose its ability to fit properly and require it to be replaced
It prevents it from getting damaged
It prevents it from becoming contaminated reducing the protection it can provide

44. Good storage means…. Storage in an uncontaminated area
Store contaminated cartridges separate from respirator
Store cartridges and respirator in clean sealed containers such as self-sealing bags or sealed plastic containers
To prevent distortion,store in separate hard containers and not in tool boxes or with other items

45. Good storage also means…
Storage away from heat, sun, and moisture
Moisture can reduce the life of some cartridges
Leaving cartridges unsealed can reduce their useful life

46. When things go wrong
KNOW WHAT TO DO

47. If you experience… Warning signs of taste, smell, irritation, cough
Medical symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath, chest pain, over exertion
Signs and symptoms of exposure to contaminants

48. Get out of area to fresh air and remove respirator

50. What to check and do… Inspect respirator Change cartridges or filters
When safely in fresh air,
What to check and do…
Inspect respirator
Change cartridges or filters
Red-don respirator and do positive and negative fit checks to your satisfaction
Re-enter and if conditions persist, exit and notify your supervisor
Address medical and exposure symptoms and inform supervisor

51. Why is it important to make sure your fit is good, and that you use and maintain the respirator properly?

52. and the level of protection you need
So that your respirator can provide the level of protection it is designed to give…
and the level of protection you need

53. If you don’t do these things
You operate with a false sense of protection and open yourself to:
Chronic exposures you never know about
Acute exposures that you will know about later- after it’s too late for protection

54. Potential hazards you could be exposed to include…
Toxics where acute or chronic exposure could result in systemic poisoning, illness, organ disfunction, sensitization,or death
Corrosives (acids), which can cause temporary or permanent tissue damage in the respiratory system
Carcinogens & particulates, which can lead to cancer or other respiratory illnesses respectively
Allergens that promote illness, allergic reaction, reduced productivity, & sensitization

55. Using respiratory protection makes it possible for you to work safely
Following your Respiratory Protection Program allows you to work with confidence

56. The Respiratory Protection Refresher Training is complete
Click if you are ready to take the training quiz
Click here if you would like to return to the beginning of the training to review for the quiz
Return to the EH&S training menu to take the Respirator Inspection PowerPoint as part of this training