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Safety

Respiratory Safety 131

This class details the appropriate types and use of respirators for various airborne hazards. For workplaces with respiratory hazards, OSHA requires employers to provide employees with clean respirators in good condition as part of a broader respiratory protection program. Respirator selection depends on the type and amount of airborne contaminants. Employees who use respirators must undergo a medical evaluation and fit testing. They must also receive comprehensive training and be able to demonstrate their knowledge of and ability to use respirators prior to ever wearing one.

Training on the use and importance of respirators reduces accidents, injuries, and lost work hours. After taking this class, users will be able to describe OSHA regulations and best practices for using respiratory equipment, along with the types of environments that require this equipment.

Difficulty Beginner
Format Online
Number of Lessons 18
Language English

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Respiratory Hazards
Environment and Exposure Assessment
Engineering Controls
Respiratory Protection Program
Respirator Selection Criteria
Respiratory Hazards and Controls Review
Types of Respirators
Medical Evaluation
Respirator Sealing
General Fit Testing
Qualitative Fit Testing
Quantitative Fit Testing
Respirator Types and Fittings Review
Respirator Function
Respirator Maintenance
Monitoring Respirator End of Service Life
Respirator Training
Respirator Maintenance and Training Review

Describe respiratory hazards.
Describe exposure assessment and classification.
Describe engineering controls for hazardous environments.
Describe OSHA’s respiratory protection program requirements.
Identify respirator selection criteria.
Identify different types of respirators.
Describe OSHA's medical evaluation requirements.
Describe how respirators seal on the wearer's face.
Describe general fit testing.
Describe three methods of qualitative fit testing.
Describe quantitative fit testing.
Describe methods of assuring proper respirator fit and function.
Describe respirator maintenance procedures.
Describe how to monitor respirators for end of service life.
Describe OSHA's respirator training requirements.

Vocabulary Term

Definition

air pressure

The force that air exerts. Respirators may have positive or negative air pressure, meaning the air they contain is at either a higher or lower pressure than ambient air.

air-purifying respirators

APRs. A respirator that uses filters, cartridges, or canisters to remove specific contaminants from the air. Air-purifying respirators pass ambient air through the air-purifying element.

ambient aerosol condensation nuclei counter

A type of quantitative fit test. An ambient aerosol condensation nuclei counter measures the number of tiny solid or liquid particles in the atmosphere.

ambient air

Air that is particular to a specific environment. Ambient air may contain chemicals that are hazardous for employees to inhale.

asbestos

A fibrous, heat-resistant, naturally occurring mineral once widely used for various purposes, most notably insulation. Asbestos is known to cause respiratory issues and deadly diseases.

ASR

Atmosphere-supplying respirator. A respirator that provides the wearer with clean air from a source that is fully separate from ambient air. ASRs include supplied-air respirators and self-contained breathing apparatuses.

assigned protection factor

APF. The level of respiratory protection that a respirator is expected to provide to the wearer. Assigned protection factor ratings vary based on the hazards present in the environment.

atmosphere-supplying respirators

ASRs. A respirator that provides the wearer with clean air from a source that is fully separate from ambient air. Atmosphere-supplying respirators include supplied-air respirators and self-contained breathing apparatuses.

atmospheric testing

Measurement of the content of the environment using electronic equipment. Atmospheric testing is used to detect the presence of gases and other contaminants.

canisters

A respirator component that contains filters, absorbent materials, chemical substances, or a combination of these things. Canisters, also known as cartridges, remove specific contaminants from the air as it passes through them.

cartridges

A respirator component that contains filters, absorbent materials, chemical substances, or a combination of these things. Cartridges, also known as canisters, remove specific contaminants from the air as it passes through them.

chamber

An enclosed space. A chamber used for fit testing may be a room or a temporary enclosure made of plastic.

change schedule

A method of tracking the service life of respirator components and replacing them at the end of service life. A change schedule should be instituted by an employer.

confined spaces

An area with limited means of entry or exit that is large enough for an employee to enter and perform work. Confined spaces can trap gases and other breathing hazards and may require atmospheric testing.

contaminants

Any substance that poses a safety risk or disturbs a manufacturing process. Working around airborne contaminants requires employees to wear proper respiratory protection.

controlled negative pressure test

CNP test. A quantitative fit test that starts with negative air pressure and uses a constant, equal amount of air flow in and out of the mask. A controlled negative pressure test measures leakage into the mask.

denatonium benzoate

The most bitter-tasting substance known to humans. Denatonium benzoate is used in taste threshold screening.

end of service life

ESL. The point at which a respirator no longer provides adequate protection. End of service life occurs when the air-purifying elements are no longer functional.

end-of-service-life indicators

ESLIs. A sign that a respirator no longer provides adequate protection. End-of-service-life indicators may include changes in the appearance of the respirator, specific alarms, or integrated components activated by respirator deterioration.

engineering controls

A step taken to reduce hazards and safety risks before they reach employees. Engineering controls can include switching to non-hazardous chemicals or enclosing a process to prevent the release of fumes.

exhalation valve

A component of a respirator that allows the wearer to push air out of the mask without letting any ambient air back in. Exhalation valves preserve the safety of the mask wearer.

exposure

Contact with hazardous materials through inhalation or touching of the skin or mucous membranes. When exposure may occur, employees must use personal protective equipment and other precautions.

fit testing

Evaluating the way in which a respirator fits its wearer. The three forms of fit testing are general, qualitative, and quantitative.

flammable

Easily set on fire. Flammable airborne contaminants are respiratory hazards and contribute to a hazardous atmosphere.

gas

A phase of matter characterized by the tendency to flow and to expand indefinitely. Gas can be hazardous and undetectable by the five senses.

general fit testing

Assessing a respirator to assure that the facemask will stay tight. General fit testing is conducted in various positions and conditions.

generated aerosol fit test

A type of quantitative fit test. Generated aerosol fit tests measure the number of tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere.

hazardous atmosphere

An environment that may expose employees to the risk of death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue, injury, or acute illness. Hazardous atmospheres include places where flammable gases, airborne combustible dust, or low oxygen concentrations are present.

IDLH

Immediately dangerous to life and health. An atmosphere that is capable of causing death, irreversible adverse health effects, or the impairment of an individual’s ability to escape from a hazardous environment. IDLH environments are classified as such if they lack oxygen or have unknown contents.

immediately dangerous to life and health

IDLH. An atmosphere that is capable of causing death, irreversible adverse health effects, or the impairment of an individual’s ability to escape from a hazardous environment. Immediately dangerous to life and health environments are classified as such if they lack oxygen or have unknown contents.

isoamyl acetate

A chemical known for its banana-like odor. Isoamyl acetate is used in odor threshold screening.

maximum use concentration

MUC. The maximum atmospheric concentration of a hazardous substance from which an employee can be expected to be protected when wearing a respirator. The maximum use concentration is determined by the assigned protection factor of the respirator and the exposure limit of the hazardous substance.

mist

A suspension of microscopic liquid particles of various sizes in the air. An example of mist is an aerosol spray.

musculoskeletal

Relating to the muscles, joints, and bones. The musculoskeletal system must be studied during a medical evaluation before respiratory equipment can be issued.

negative pressure respirator

A respirator in which the air pressure inside the facemask is lower than the ambient air pressure. A negative pressure respirator tightens against the wearer’s face when they inhale.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA. A government agency that sets the standards for working conditions in the United States. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration helps employers reduce injuries, illnesses, and deaths in the workplace.

odor threshold screening

A qualitative fit test that assesses whether the subject can detect the scent of an airborne substance while wearing a respirator. Odor threshold screenings require employees to sniff a chemical with and without the respirator to confirm that the respirator does not allow them to breathe the chemical.

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. A government agency that sets the standards for working conditions in the United States. OSHA helps employers reduce injuries, illnesses, and deaths in the workplace.

permissible exposure limits

PELs. The maximum amount or concentration of a hazard that can be present or that an individual may experience without causing a health hazard. Permissible exposure limits vary based on the specific hazard.

personal protective equipment

PPE. An article of clothing or a device worn or used to minimize exposure to hazards and prevent injury. Personal protective equipment may include safety glasses, safety gloves, ear plugs, respirators, or steel-toed boots.

positive pressure respirator

A respirator in which the air pressure inside the respirator exceeds the ambient air pressure outside the respirator. A positive pressure respirator requires fit testing to ensure user safety.

powered air-purifying respirator

PAPR. An air-purifying respirator that uses a motorized fan to provide filtered air to the user. Powered air-purifying respirators use the fan to force ambient air through cartridges to remove contamination.

pulmonary diseases

Any illness that affects the lungs and respiratory system. Emphysema and asthma are pulmonary diseases.

qualitative fit test

QLFT. A pass or fail assessment of the adequacy of a respirator. A qualitative fit test determines whether or not someone can detect the scents, flavors, or negative effects of an airborne substance.

quantitative fit test

QNFT. An assessment of respirator fit that measures the amount of leakage into the respirator. Quantitative fit tests use a probe inside the facemask.

respirators

A breathing device worn to prevent inhalation of hazardous substances. Respirators may purify air or supply air for the wearer.

respiratory hazards

An airborne substance that can cause physical harm if someone breathes it in. Respiratory hazards include harmful gases, dust, fumes, mist, smoke, and vapors.

respiratory protection

A form of personal protective equipment that protects the wearer from hazards present in the air. Respirators are a common type of respiratory protection.

respiratory protection program

A permanent, written program that contains work-specific procedures for using respirators. Respiratory protection programs are required by OSHA.

respiratory protection program administrator

An individual who oversees the use of breathing equipment and implements the written respiratory protection program in the workplace. A respiratory protection program administrator must be fully trained in the use of respirators.

saccharine

An artificial sweetener. Saccharine is used in taste threshold screening.

safety data sheet

SDS. Mandatory information that must accompany almost every chemical in the workplace except for items like cleaning supplies. A safety data sheet includes details such as the precautions and first aid procedures associated with exposure to a chemical.

SCBA

Self-contained breathing apparatus. An atmosphere-supplying respirator that consists of a full-face mask and a portable tank of compressed air that the user carries. SCBAs are used for short-term exposure to environments that are immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) or potentially IDLH.

self-contained breathing apparatus

SCBA. An atmosphere-supplying respirator that consists of a full-face mask and a portable tank of compressed air that the user carries. Self-contained breathing apparatuses are used for short-term exposure to environments that are immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) or potentially IDLH.

stannic chloride

A colorless liquid chemical that fumes upon contact with air and creates smoke. Stannic chloride is used in qualitative fit testing.

supplied-air respirator

SAR. An atmosphere-supplying respirator that consists of a full-face mask with a long hose that connects to a stationary tank of compressed air. Supplied-air respirators are used when employees must spend long periods in low-oxygen atmospheres.

taste threshold screening

A qualitative fit test that assesses whether the subject can detect the taste of a substance while wearing a respirator. Taste threshold screenings confirm that the respirator does not allow a flavored airborne chemical to reach the wearer.