Regulatory requirements are contained in 29 CFR 1910.134.
A. Elements Of Program: Elements of the respiratory protection program shall include:
1. Written standard operating procedures governing the selection and use of respirators.
2. Respirators shall be selected based on hazards to which workers are exposed.
3. All affected employees shall be trained in the proper use, selection and maintenance of respirators, and their limitations.
4. Respirators shall be regularly cleaned and disinfected, and stored in a sanitary container or location.
5. Respirators shall be regularly inspected for worn or deteriorated parts, which shall be replaced upon detection.
6. Appropriate review of workplace conditions and degree of exposure shall be maintained.
7. Respirator guidelines do not apply to specialized Police Department operations or equipment where tear gas or pepper spray is utilized for crowd control or suspect apprehension.
B. Selection Of Respirators: The City shall select its respirator equipment in accordance with the regulations set forth in the following:
1. Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) permissible exposure limits;
2. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approvals;
3. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Code of Federal Regulations title 29, part 1910, subpart I, subsection 1910.134.
A respirator selection guidelines chart is attached (see section 54-3-16, "Appendix A", of this chapter).
C. Use Of Respirators:
1. When effective engineering controls are not feasible, appropriate respirators shall be used by all affected employees.
2. Respirators shall be issued by a supervisor or a designated employee on an individual basis for the employee's exclusive use. Respirators shall be clearly marked to identify the person to whom the unit is assigned.
D. Fit Testing:
1. Employees shall be properly fitted for their own personal respirator before performing work requiring the use of a respirator.
2. Affected employees shall receive a qualitative fit test, including demonstrations and practice in how the unit should be worn, how to adjust it and how to determine if it fits properly, in the training sessions.
3. Facial hair may prevent the proper seal of a respirator. Employees shall remove facial hair that prevents the proper seal of required respirators.
E. Respirator Certifications:
1. Each affected employee shall complete a medical evaluation questionnaire and receive a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) prior to performing work requiring the use of a respirator. The City's designated medical provider shall perform the PFT and review the medical evaluation questionnaire.
2. The City's designated medical provider shall determine what health and physical conditions are pertinent.
F. Training:
1. All affected employees shall be trained in the proper use of respirators and informed of their limitations.
2. Training shall allow the employee to handle the respirator, have it properly fitted, wear it in normal atmosphere and wear it in a test atmosphere.
3. Annual training will include information regarding:
a. The nature of the respiratory hazard, and what may happen if the unit is not used properly.
b. Engineering and administrative controls being used, and the need for additional respiratory protection.
c. Reasons for selecting a particular type of respirator.
d. Cleaning and storage methods.
e. Inspection and maintenance procedures.
f. Limitations of the selected respirator.
g. Recognizing warning labels and signs.
h. Qualitative fit test procedures.
G. Respirator Service Life:
1. The service life in which air purifying elements can provide adequate respiratory protection depends on the specific nature of the air contaminant, the concentration of the contaminant in the work atmosphere, and the breathing rate of the user.
2. Each department shall develop a respirator or respirator cartridge replacement schedule based on the specific conditions of each of its operations.
3. The replacement of air purifying elements shall be done in a safe area containing noncontaminated, breathable air.
4. Whenever the respirator wearer experiences either difficulty in breathing through the air purifying elements or odor/taste while inhaling, they shall consider it to be a sign that:
a. The filter portions have become plugged with retained particulate matter; or
b. The vapor or gas has penetrated the cartridge portions. When this occurs, the filter and/or cartridge must be replaced.
H. Recordkeeping: A respirator fit test record will be kept for each employee who is, or may be, required to wear a respirator to fulfill his or her job requirements. This record shall be completed during the respirator fit test, and must be updated with any change in the type of respirator used, or any other condition changing the effectiveness of respiratory equipment. See sample form in section 54-3-17, "Appendix B", of this chapter.
I. Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA):
1. SCBA shall only be used by qualified, trained employees.
2. Parts from one unit may not be exchanged with another.
3. Affected employees shall place special emphasis on care and maintenance of SCBA.
4. Always follow manufacturer's recommendations in regards to use, inspection, cleaning and storage of SCBA.
a. SCBA shall be inspected at least every month.
b. A record shall be kept of inspection dates and findings unless inspections are more frequent than monthly. (2019 Compilation)