1. GPHL Respirator Training
LaTonya Clay, Ph.D.
Training Coordinator

2. Objectives Define respirator
Discuss National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) requirements
Describe N95 and other respirator types
Review respirator procedures
Seal Check
Donning/Doffing
Describe storage requirements
Discuss Medical Clearance and Fit Testing requirements

3. Respirators
Personal protective device worn on the face that covers at least the nose and mouth
Reduces the risk of inhaling hazardous airborne particles, including dust and infectious agents, gases, or vapors
Considered the last line of defense in the occupational hierarchy of controls
Recommended when engineering controls are not feasible or sufficient to control the hazard
Protect the user either by filtering contaminated ambient air or by providing a clean source of air.

4. NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.
Helps to assure safe and healthy working conditions
National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) is the division of NIOSH responsible for respirator certification.
NIOSH-approved respirators are marked with the manufacturer’s name, the part number, the type of protection (for ex., N95) and the acronym, NIOSH.

5. N95 Respirator-NIOSH Requirements

6. N95 Respirators
Used to protect against infectious aerosols produced when working with microorganisms, such as Rabies virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Do not provide protection from chemicals, gases or vapors. Other respirator types are required for protection against chemical vapors.
The “N” designation indicates that the respirator is not resistant to oil.
Other respirator types may begin with an “R” or “P”
R95 respirators: Filter 95% of airborne particles and are somewhat resistant to oil
P95 respirators: Filter 95% of airborne particles and are strongly resistant to oil

7. N95 Respirators
Primary respirator type used at Georgia Public Health Laboratory
Filter 95% of airborne particles that are 0.3 microns in size
N95 Respirator Assigned Protection Factor (APF) = 10
An APF of 10 means that type of respirator (if used properly) can be safely used in an atmosphere that has a hazardous concentration of up to 10 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for that hazard.
Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) APF= 1000
Provide a significantly higher level of protection as compared to disposable, tight-fitting N95 respirators

8. Surgical Masks Can not replace a NIOSH-approved respirator
Only prevent the release of infectious aerosols from the individual, while N95 respirators filter aerosols prior to inhalation by the individual.

9. Respirator Donning and Doffing
Don: to put on
Doff: to remove or take off

10. General Donning Procedure
When putting on a respirator (donning), complete the following:
Ensure that the respirator is the same manufacturer, model, and size on which you were fit tested.
Note: Review model and size information on your fit test form to ensure that it is consistent with your respirator.
Review the appropriate manufacturer’s instructions specific to the respirator model in use to ensure that you are properly trained on donning the respirator.
Inspect the respirator for damage prior to each use.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for putting on the respirator and performing the seal check procedure.

11. Donning Procedure Example 3M 1860 Respirator
Cup the respirator in your hand, with the nosepiece at your fingertips, allowing the headbands to hang freely below your hand.
Position the respirator under your chin with the nosepiece up. Pull the top strap over your head resting it high at the top back of your head. Pull the bottom strap over your head and position it around the neck below the ears.
Place your fingertips from both hands
at the top of the metal nosepiece. Using
two hands, mold the nose by pushing
inward while moving your fingertips down
both sides of the nosepiece.
Perform a user Seal Check prior to each use.

12. Seal Check Procedure Example 3M 1860 Respirator
Check the respirator-to-face seal by placing both hands completely over the respirator and exhaling slowly for ~10 seconds. Repeat above step and inhale for ~10 seconds instead of exhaling.
Be careful not to disturb the position of the respirator.
If air leaks around the nose, readjust the nosepiece as described in the third step of the 3M 1860 Donning Procedure. If air leaks around the respirator edges, work the straps back along the sides of your head.
If you can not achieve a proper seal, try repeating this procedure with a new respirator. After additional attempts, do not enter the isolation or treatment area.
Notify your supervisor.

13. Doffing Procedure Example 3M 1860 Respirator
In order to remove an N95 respirator, complete the following steps:
With gloved hands, cup the respirator in hand to maintain its position on face. Keep in mind that the contaminated area is across the front of the respirator.
Pull the bottom strap over head.
While holding the respirator in position, pull top strap over head and remove the respirator.
Note: This procedure is specific to the 3M 1860 model of N95 respirators. Review and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the respirator model in use in your area.

14. Other respirator types
PAPR (Powered Air Purifying Respirator) is a loose-fitting respirator
Use is required if employee has facial hair that interferes with the respirator-to-face seal
Perform Seal and Damage Check prior to each use.
PAPR is equipped with breathing tube, chargeable battery, filter and filter gasket that must be
inspected prior to each use.
Don/Doff, cleaning, maintenance, and
storage must be performed according to
manufacturer’s instructions.
Reminder: Complete review of the
PAPR powerpoint training.

15. Half-Face Respirator Type of protection depends upon cartridge type
Charcoal cartridge protects against chemical vapors
(Note: N95 respirators do not have this capability.)
Establish a cleaning and storage schedule according to manufacturer’s instructions.

16. Respirator Storage
Store in clean areas only—not in contaminated areas.
Use plastic containers and/or ziploc bags to protect against...
Contamination and dust
Excessive temperatures and moisture
Deformation
Damage

17. Medical Clearance Prior to respirator fit testing OSHA requirement
Employees with asthma are to use PAPRs or loose-fitting respirators instead of tight-fitting respirators
Complete GPHL Proof of Medical Clearance Form
Note: Medical clearance is at employee’s expense
Indicate on the aforementioned form if you waive this clearance

18. Respirator Fit Testing
Respirator training and fit testing are both required annually and before initial use of respirator
Must be repeated if the user experiences significant changes in physical conditions, such as weight loss or gain, and surgery or injury to face

19. Respirator Assessment
Access and complete the Respirator Exam:
After you have reviewed the PAPR training powerpoint in SABA
By closing the training window(s) and clicking on the Respirator Exam link
Respirator Fit Testing is coordinated by GPHL Safety Officer.
Fit Testing: Quantitative, On-Site -or- Qualitative, Off-Site
Contact: LaTonya Clay, Ph.D.