(A) Respirators with tight-fitting face pieces may not be used by employees who have facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the face piece and the face or that interferes with the function of any component of the respirator or who have any condition that interferes with the face-to-face piece seal or valve function of the respirator.
(B) If an employee wears corrective glasses or goggles or other personal protective equipment, that equipment must be worn so that it does not interfere with the seal of the face piece to the face of the user. In the case of employees who need to wear corrective lenses and a full-face respirator, the appropriate corrective lense kit will be provided along with the respirator.
(C) Every user of a tight-fitting respirator is required to perform a user seal check (or fit check) each time the respirator is put on. The user seal check will follow the procedures in Appendix B-1 on 29 CFR 1910.134 which is reproduced in Appendix B (as attached in Ord. 38-2005, passed 10-11-05).
(D) The Program Administrator will work with the Safety Department Chairperson/Training Officer to assure that persons knowledgeable of respirator use and the requirements thereof observe employees from time to time as they use respirators so as to enable an ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of respirator use. Should problems be noted, they will be brought promptly to the attention of the Program Administrator who will consult with the employee, the employee's supervisor, and others as necessary to develop procedures to correct the problems and to improve the effectiveness of the respirator.
(E) Employees using respirators will leave the respirator use area:
(1) Whenever they need to wash their faces and the respirator face pieces in order to prevent eye or skin irritation associated with respirator use;
(2) If they detect vapor or gas breakthrough in the respirator, changes in breathing resistance, or leakage of the face piece; or
(3) To replace respirator filter or similar elements.
(F) If the employee detects vapor or gas breakthrough, changes in breathing resistance, or leakage of the face piece, the respirator must be replaced or repaired before the employee is allowed to return to the respirator use area.
(G) As stated above, work in IDLH atmospheres is not anticipated as a regular occurrence at the city. In the event that work is necessary in an IDLH atmosphere the following procedures will be followed.
(1) There will be a comparably and fully equipped worker ready immediately outside the IDLH area for each worker in the IDLH area ("one in one out"). The "outside" member of the pair will be trained and equipped to provide effective rescue of the "inside" member of the pair.
(2) Positive visual, voice, including radio or telephone, or signal line communication will be maintained between the persons inside the IDLH area and their opposite members outside the IDLH area.
(3) All work inside an IDLH atmosphere will utilize positive pressure SCBA or a positive pressure, supplied-air system with an auxiliary ("escape") SCBA.
(Ord. 38-2005, passed 10-11-05)