UNC Respiratory Protection Program for Environment, Health & Safety Department Emergency Responders Presented by UNC-CH Environment, Health & Safety

1
UNC Respiratory Protection Program for
Environment, Health Safety Department Emergency
Responders Presented byUNC-CH
Environment, Health Safety
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Class Objectives

• Be able to explain the Importance of the
  Respiratory Protection Program in relation to
  UNC-CH policy, OSHA and EPA-HAZWOPER standards.
• Understand protection controls and EPA/OSHA
  levels of respiratory protection for hazardous
  material response and hazardous waste sites.
• Be able to discuss the importance of the
  Selection Process for different Types of
  Respirators for Emergency Response
• Be able to demonstrate the limitations and Safety
  Issues with the use of negative pressure air
  purifying respirators

3
Class Objectives

• Be able to select, demonstrate the limitations
  and use of Air Purifying Respirator Filters and
  Respirator Chemical Cartridges
• Be able to demonstrate the inspection, donning
  and doffing procedures for air purifying
  respirators
• Be able to demonstrate, using a negative pressure
  respirator, the required negative and positive
  user seal check procedures
• Discuss the importance of Fit-Testing Procedures
• Discuss Maintenance Storage Requirements
• Review and Post Test

4
Introduction

• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  (UNC-CH) Respiratory
• Protection Program (RPP) describes written policy
  and procedures for the
• use of respirators to protect the health of
  employees in accordance with the
• Occupational Safety and Health Administrations
  (OSHA) Respiratory
• Protection Standard, 29 CFR 1910.134 (General
  Industry Respirator
• Standard).
• Under 29 CFR 1910.134, OSHA requires a formal
  written program for the
• selection and use of respirators. The two basic
  objectives are to protect the
• worker from respiratory hazards and to prevent
  injury to the wearer from the
• incorrect use or malfunction of the respirator.
  This program includes
• protocols for the selection, training, fitting
  use, storage, and maintenance of
• respirators.
• For additional guidance regarding UNC-CH
  Respiratory Protection Program
• policies and procedures, click on the EHS
  Workplace Safety Respiratory
• Section at
• http//www.ehs.unc.edu/workplace_safety/rpp.shtml

5
Introduction

• Some employees are also enrolled in the RPP for
  other specific standards
• (e.g. 29 CFR Subpart Z-Toxic and Hazardous
  Substances 1910.1001-
• asbestos) or the potential to exceed limits in
  other specific standards.
• For UNC-CH EHS Emergency Responders, personal
  protective equipment
• use requirements are also designated in the OSHA
  Hazardous Waste
• Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER)
  Standard, 29 CFR
• 1910.120.
• Respirators should only be used as a "last line
  of defense" when engineering
• control systems are not feasible. Engineering
  control systems, such as
• adequate ventilation should be used to negate the
  need for respirators.

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Use of Controls for Protection

• 1910.120(g)(1)(i) Engineering controls, work
  practices and PPE for
• substances regulated in subparts G and Z, states
  
• Engineering controls and work practices shall be
  instituted to reduce and
• maintain employee exposure to or below the
  permissible exposure limits for
• substances regulated by 29 CFR part 1910, to the
  extent required by subpart
• Z, except to the extent that such controls and
  practices are not feasible.
• Engineering controls which may be feasible
  include the use of pressurized
• cabs or control booths on equipment, and/or the
  use of remotely operated
• material handling equipment.
• Work practices which may be feasible are removing
  all non-essential
• employees from potential exposure during opening
  of drums, wetting down
• dusty operations and locating employees upwind of
  possible hazards.

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Use of Controls for Protection

• 1910.120(g)(1)(ii) states Whenever engineering
  controls and work
• practices are not feasible or not required, any
  reasonable combination of
• engineering controls, work practices and PPE
  shall be used to reduce and
• maintain employee exposures to or below the
  permissible exposure limit or
• dose limits for substances regulated by 29 CFR
  part 1910, subpart Z.

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Use of Controls for Protection

• 1910.120(g)(1)(i) Engineering controls, work
  practices and PPE for
• substances not regulated in subparts G and Z,
  states
• An appropriate combination of engineering
  controls, work practices and
• personal protective equipment shall be used to
  reduce and maintain
• employee exposure to or below published exposure
  levels for hazardous
• substances and health hazards not regulated by 29
  CFR part 1910, subparts
• G and Z.
• The employer may use the published literature and
  MSDS as a
• guide in making the employers determination as
  to what level of protection
• the employer believes is appropriate for
  hazardous substances and health
• hazards for which there is no permissible
  exposure limit or published
• exposure limit.

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Review of Levels of PPE

• Selecting the proper PPE for a response involves
  identifying the potential
• hazards that may be faced, the work requirements,
  and task-specific
• conditions, as well as assessing the durability
  and performance of the PPE
• material. PPE ensembles are classified into 4
  levels outlined by 29 CFR
• 1910.120, as Level A, B, C and D.

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Review of Levels of PPE

• Level A The hazardous substance has been
  identified and requires the
• highest level of protection for the skin, eye,
  and respiratory system based
• on either the measured (or potential for) high
  concentration of atmospheric
• vapors, gasses, or particulates or the site
  operations and work functions
• involve a high potential for splash, immersion,
  or exposure to unexpected
• vapors, gasses, or particulates of materials that
  are harmful to skin or
• capable of being absorbed through the skin.
• Substances with a high degree of hazard to the
  skin are known or suspected
• to be present, and skin contact is possible
• PPE consists of totally encapsulated chemical
  protective suit and positive
• pressure full-facepiece self-contained breathing
  apparatus, chemical
• protective gloves, and boots .
• All 5 senses are impaired when in this level of
  protection.

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Review of Levels of PPE

• Level A Another Illustration
• Courtesy of the Environmental Protection Agency
  (EPA) Website

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Review of Levels of PPE

• Level B Protection should be used when the type
  and atmospheric
• concentration of substances have been identified
  and require a high level of
• respiratory protection, but less skin protection.
  
• The atmosphere contains less than 19.5 oxygen or
  the presence of
• incompletely identified vapors or gasses is
  indicated by a direct-reading
• instrument, but vapors and gasses are not
  suspected of containing high
• levels of chemicals harmful to the skin or
  capable of being absorbed
• through the skin.

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Review of Levels of PPE

• Level B The highest level of respiratory
  protection consisting of either a
• positive pressure, full-face piece self contained
  breathing apparatus or
• positive pressure supplied air respirator with
  escape SCBA.

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Review of Levels of PPE

• Level C Protection should be used when all
  types of air contaminants
• have been identified, concentrations measured,
  and an air-purifying
• respirator is available that can remove the
  contaminants and
• all criteria for the use of air-purifying
  respirators are met.
• PPE includes a full-face or half face
  air-purifying respirator (NIOSH
• approved). Hooded chemical-resistant clothing
  such as tyvek, inner and
• outer gloves, and steel shank chemical resistant
  boots.

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Review of Levels of PPE

• Level D Should be used when the atmosphere
  contains no known hazard
• and work functions preclude splashes, immersion,
  or the potential for
• unexpected inhalation of or contact with
  hazardous levels of any chemicals.
• Modified D No inhalation hazard present.
  However, potential skin
• contact with chemicals may occur.
• Courtesy of the EPA website
• Exxon Valdez Spill Recovery Note no respiratory
  protection is used, but
• chemical protective clothing is used.

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Review of Levels of PPE

• Courtesy of the EPA website
• This Superfund site, called the Valley of the
  Drums, was one of the earliest
• and most serious hazardous waste sites because it
  involved a vast quantity
• of illegally disposed material. Discovery of this
  site helped motivate
• Congress to develop the Superfund law. (Courtesy
  EPA).
• Can you find the workers in this picture?

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Selection of Respiratory Protection-Types

• There are two primary types of respirators
  Air-purifying and
• Atmosphere supplying.
• 1) Air-Purifying Respirator (APR) Both
  Negative Positive Pressure Types. Removes
  contaminants by mechanical removal of
  particulates using filters and chemical
  cartridges used for the removal of gasses
  vapors by adsorption (surface binding). They
  cant be worn in oxygen-deficient or IDLH
  atmospheres. The air concentration must be
  within the maximum use concentration of the
  respirator.
• 2) Atmosphere Supplying Provides fresh
  breathing air (Grade D quality) from an
  external source. Examples of types of supplied
  air are Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
  (SCBA), and Airline respirators, .

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Selection of Respiratory Protection-Types
An Air-Purifying Respirator (APR) is a respirator
with an air- purifying filter, cartridge, or
canister that removes specific air contaminants
by passing ambient air through the air-purifying
element. An APR can be either a negative
pressure or positive pressure type.
Air
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Selection of Respirators-Types

• A Positive Pressure Respirator is a respirator in
  which the
• pressure inside the respirator inlet covering
  exceeds the
• ambient air pressure outside the respirator.
• A Powered-Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) is an
• example of a positive pressure respirator. It
  uses a blower
• motor (generally battery powered) to force the
  Ambient air
• through air-purifying elements to the inlet
  covering.

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Selection of Respiratory Protection-Use Factors

• To select an Air Purifying Respirator you must
  know
• The Identity of the contaminant. Generally the
  contaminants can be found on the material safety
  data sheet or product label. However, specific
  chemical reactions can create additional hazards.
  
• The Concentration of the contaminant The
  airborne concentration of the contaminant must
  not exceed the maximum use limit of the
  respirator (with cartridges and filters).
• The Exposure Limit for the contaminant. This
  value is typically found on the product material
  safety data sheet, NIOSH pocket guide to chemical
  hazards, or IH can provide this information.

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Selection of Respiratory Protection-Use Factors

• To select an Air Purifying Respirator you must
  know
• IDLH for the contaminant. The airborne
  concentration of the chemical substance must not
  be exceeded the IDLH value. The NIOSH pocket
  guide to chemical hazards provides this
  information. http//www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg.
  Also on product MSDS.
• The Odor Threshold for the contaminant. A
  warning property exists when a chemical vapor has
  a distinct odor or taste, or when it causes
  respiratory tract or eye irritation.
• The type of Chemical Cartridge to use for the
  contaminant. The chemical substance must be able
  to be filtered, absorbed, or neutralized by the
  APR.
• The Oxygen Level atmospheric level of oxygen
  must be above 19.5

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Selection of Respiratory Protection-Use Factors

• The following conditions exclude or may exclude
  use of an Air Purifying Respirator
• Oxygen Deficiency
• IDLH concentrations of specific substances
• Entry into an unventilated or confined area where
  the exposure conditions have not been
  characterized.
• Presence or potential presence of unidentified
  contaminants.
• Contaminant concentrations are unknown or exceed
  designated
• maximum use concentrations (explained on
  following slides).
• Identified gasses or vapors have inadequate
  warning properties.
• High relative humidity (may reduce the protection
  offered by the sorbent).

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Selection of Respiratory Protection-Supplied Air

• Atmosphere-Supplying Respirator is a respirator
  that
• supplies the user with breathing air from a
  source independent of
• the ambient atmosphere. Types include
  supplied-air respirators
• (SARs) and self-contained breathing apparatus
  (SCBA) units.

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Selection of Respiratory Protection-Supplied Air

• Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) is an
• atmosphere supplying respirator for which the
  breathing air
• source is designed to be carried by the user.
  This type of respirator
• is considered to provide the highest level of
  respiratory protection.
• Pressure-demand types of SCBAs are used for fire
  fighting,
• rescue, emergency response, and other situations.
  They are
• acceptable for oxygen-deficient conditions, and
  against a wide
• variety of contaminants, and for entry into IDLH
  atmospheres.
• Disadvantage is that the work time is limited to
  amount of air in the
• external tank and the extra weight of the tank.

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Selection of Respiratory Protection-IDLH

• Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH)
  is an
• atmosphere that posses an immediate threat to
  life, would cause
• irreversible, adverse, debilitating health
  effects, or would impair an
• individuals ability to escape.
• For example, Oxygen-deficient atmospheres, less
  than 19.5 oxygen by
• volume at sea level are considered (IDLH).
  Examples where IDLH
• situations may occur include entry into
  unventilated silos, boilers, tanks,
• sewers, etc.
• Other examples of IDLH situations include
• -When a specific chemical exceeds its established
  IDLH concentration. IDLH values are published by
  the National Institute of Occupational Safety and
  Health (NIOSH) in the NIOSH Pocket Guide to
  Chemical Hazards. http//www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg.
• -Chemical concentrations that are in excess of
  their published IDLH value and in excess of their
  Lower Explosive Limit are considered IDLH.
• -Firefighting and Emergency Response to an
  unknown contaminated atmosphere are considered
  IDLH.

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Selection of Respiratory Protection-IDLH

• Is the below picture an example of a potential
  IDLH environment?
• What other hazards are present?

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Selection of Respiratory Protection-APFs

• Assigned protection factors (APFs) APFs are very
  important part of the selection process.
• The assigned protection factor is the expected
  workplace level of respiratory protection that
  would be provided by a properly functioning
  respirator or a class of respirator to properly
  fitted and trained users. APFs are a measure of
  the overall effectiveness of a respirator used in
  conjunction with a good respirator program.
• Many groups have developed lists of APFs. In the
  United States, the two main lists of APFs are
  from the American National Standards Institute
  (ANSI) and NIOSH however, respirator
  manufacturers also recommend assigned protection
  factors.

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Selection of Respiratory Protection-APFs

• Assigned protection factors (APFs) In these
  studies measurements (air samples) are taken
  simultaneously outside and inside the respirator
  as the worker does his or her normal job.
• An APF of 10 means that the respirator
  will reduce the contaminant's concentration
  actually breathed in by 10 times compared with
  the actual airborne concentration.
• Examples of Assigned Protection Factors (NIOSH
  Guidance)
• 1. Half face piece APR both filtering face
  piece and elastomeric dual cartridge 10
• 2. Full face piece APR 50 or 100 ( PF 100,
  e.g. North 7600 8A series)
• 3. Powered Air Purifying Respirator (full
  face) 1,000
• 4. Self Contained Breathing Apparatus 10,000
  

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Selection of Respiratory Protection-MUC

• Maximum Use Concentration (MUC) A respirator
  may not be used at a concentration greater than
  the contaminants occupational exposure limit
  times the assigned protection factor for the type
  of respirator used.
• This is called the Maximum Use Concentration of
  the respirator. It is determined by multiplying
  the PEL or Occupational Exposure Limit by the
  APF.
• MUC PEL (OEL) of contaminant X
  APF of the respirator
• However, other factors must be
  considered. For example the MUC will be limited
  by the following
• IDLH value
• Chemical cartridge rating
• Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres

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Selection of Respiratory Protection-MUC

• Maximum Use Concentration (MUC)
• MUC PEL (OEL) of contaminant X APF of the
  respirator
• For example, Toluenes PEL is 200 PPM. A ½ face
  APR has
• an APF of 10. What is the MUC? Could a ½ face
  APR be
• used safely for this environment if the air
  concentration was
• 2,000 PPM?.
• Do any other factors apply?

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Selection of Respiratory Protection-MUC

• Maximum Use Concentration (MUC)
• MUC PEL (OEL) of contaminant X APF of the
  respirator
• Answer The MUC for the ½ face APR is 2,000 PPM.
  
• However, other important factors must be
  considered besides the MUC
• calculation.
• The chemical cartridges would probably experience
  breakthrough at
• 1,000 ppm.
• In addition, the NIOSH IDLH value for Toluene is
  500 ppm.
• Therefore at this concentration, a ½ face APR
  can not be used due to
• an IDLH environment and due to over saturation of
  the chemical
• cartridges.
• Only a positive pressure SCBA or positive
  pressure supplied
• air line respirator with an escape cylinder could
  be used.!!!!

32
Selection of Respiratory Protection-MUC

• Maximum Use Concentration (MUC)
• MUC PEL (OEL) of contaminant X APF of the
  respirator
• For example, there is a large spill of Acetic
  Anhydride. After initial
• investigation in Level B protection, air
  monitoring determined an air
• concentration of 100 ppm. What would be an
  appropriate respirator to
• use for response to clean up the spill?
• -The PEL 5 PPM
• -IDLH value 200 PPM
• -Assume a cartridge rating of 0.1 by volume
  1,000 PPM
• Answer A half face APR could not be used. MUC
  PF 10 X 5 50
• A full face APR could be used! MUC PF 50 X 5
  250

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Safety Issues/Problems with Use of Respirators

• The use of Personal Protective Equipment
  (including a respirator) can
• itself create significant worker hazards such as
• -Heat stress,
• - Physical and psychological stress,
• - Impaired vision, impaired mobility, and
  impaired communication.
• In general, greater levels of PPE can cause the
  associated risk to increase.
• The next couple of slides addresses specific
  problems with use of a
• respirator.

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Safety Issues/Problems with Use of Respirators

• Facial Hair- facial hair that lies along the
  sealing area of the respirator
• such as beards, sideburns, or even a few days of
  growth of stubble, shall
• not be permitted because wit will prevent a good
  seal and may cause
• leakage of the respirator, which could cause
  contaminants to enter your
• breathing zone.
• The use of a
• 
  

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Safety Issues/Problems with Use of Respirators

• Prescription Eye Glasses Responders can not
  wear prescription
• glasses with a full- face air purifying
  respirator or SCBA face piece. Eye
• glasses with temple bars or straps that pass
  between the sealing
• surface of a full face piece and can cause the
  mask to not fit tightly on the
• face. This will produce a break in the face to
  face piece seal and can
• cause leakage and cause contaminants to enter
  your breathing zone.
• Special inserts with corrective lenses can be
  placed inside a full-facepiece
• respirator and are available from all
  manufactures of full-facepiece
• respirators.
• Eye glasses or goggles may interfere with
  half-face respirators. When
• interference occurs, a full-facepiece with
  special corrective lenses should
• be provided and worn.
• 
  

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Safety Issues/Problems with Use of Respirators

• Impaired Vision Peripheral vision is impaired
  when using most types
• of full face respirators. Dependent on the type
  of respirator, you can
• only see a limited field of view. In addition,
  certain weather conditions
• such as high humidity and cold weather can fog
  the interior lens of the
• respirator which can further impair vision.
• Impaired Situational Awareness With the
  respirator donned, you
• must be cognizant of the surrounding work
  environment such as
• distance away from hazardous equipment, moving
  objects, potential slip,
• trips, and fall hazards, moving vehicles, etc.
• Impaired Communication Is much more difficult.
  Especially if
• using radios or talking to a buddy in PPE with
  background noise.
• 
  

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Safety Issues/Problems with Use of Respirators

• Heat Stress In the summer months, this is a
  major concern. Ensure
• everyone is aware of the signs and symptoms of
  heat related injuries (e.g.
• heat rash, heat exhaustion, heat stroke).
• In addition, a person working in high
  temperatures is under increased levels of
• stress. Wearing a respirator causes additional
  stress. A respirator that
• provides low breathing resistance is recommended
  under these conditions (e.g.
• supplied air respirator or powered-air purifying
  respirators). Such a respirator
• used in low or high temperature atmospheres may
  be equipped with a vortex
• tube to cool the air inspired. Also recommend
  drinking plenty of water before
• and during the response action.
• Also heat stress is a major concern with the
  various levels of PPE used during a
• response. Cooling packs are recommended to help
  cool responders. They come
• in different styles by safety manufacturers.
• 
  

38
Safety Issues/Problems with Use of Respirators

• Fatigue has both a physical and psychological
  effect. During major
• response events, 1st Responders and support staff
  could be faced with a
• work schedule where routine meals or breaks are
  suddenly interrupted.
• Work conditions suddenly change from an office or
  training environment
• to real conditions.
• Recommendations consist of adequate work/rest
  cycles Use of the
• buddy system to identify signs of fatigue and
  enforcement of operational
• periods and fatigue recommendations in the field.
  
• 
  

39
Selection of Filters and Chemical Cartridges

• Filters are an integral component used with
  negative and positive
• pressure air purifying respirators to remove
  solid or liquid aerosols such as
• dusts, mists, fibers, and metal fumes.
• This type of element "filters" particulate matter
  by physically trapping it in
• the fibrous filter material. In addition, the
  wool-felt filters contain an
• electrostatic charge that increases filter
  efficiency by electrostatically
• attracting the particles to the fibers. Although
  mechanical filters become
• more efficient as they are used, they should be
  changed when breathing
• resistance becomes excessive.

40
Selection of Filters and Chemical Cartridges

• Particulate filters have different
  classifications of filter efficiency based on
• the testing procedures for protection against oil
  mist.
• P100 filter designation is the primary type of
  HEPA used for protection
• against dusts, mists, fumes, smokes (any
  particulates). It has been
• tested for a 99.97 filter efficiency when tested
  against 0.3 um docytl
• phthalate (DOP- oil mist) particles.
• P100 filters are color coded purple/magenta.

41
Selection of Filters and Chemical Cartridges

• There are 9 classes of respirator particulate
  filters
• 3 Series Types
• N Not oil resistant
• R Resistant to oil
• P oil Proof
• 3 Efficiency Percentages
• 95 efficient
• 99 efficient
• 100 efficient
• Filter Classifications can be any combination of
  the listed Series
• and Efficiency
• (e.g.. N-95, N-pp, N-100, R-95, R-99, R-100,
  P-95, P-99, P100)

42
Selection of Filters and Chemical Cartridges

• Canister or Cartridge is a container with a
  filter, sorbent, or
• catalyst, or combination of these items, which
  removes specific
• contaminants from the air passed through the
  container. They
• differ from aerosol filters in that they use
  sorbents, generally
• carbon to remove harmful gasses and vapors.

43
Selection of Filters and Chemical Cartridges

• To make it easier for the user to identify
  respirator cartridges and
• filters, they have designated colors. The color
  is based on the type
• of air contaminant (s) which the user will be
  wearing the respirator
• for protection against. Examples of filter and
  cartridge colors and
• associated contaminant type include
• Acid gasses White
• Organic vapors- Black
• Ammonia gas- Green
• Acid gasses and organic vapors- Yellow
• P100 HEPA filters- Purple/magenta
• Mercury Vapor- Orange

44
Selection of Filters and Chemical Cartridges

• The service life of the chemical cartridge varies
• based on variables including
• -Chemical weight (carbon and molecular weight) of
  the
• vapor,
• -The cartridge media
• -The concentration of vapor in the atmosphere,
• -The relative humidity of the atmosphere,
• -The breathing rate of the respirator wearer.

45
Selection of Filters and Chemical Cartridges

• It is important to implement a Chemical Cartridge
  Change Out
• Schedule. The change schedule described in the
  plan for canister
• and cartridges must be based on objective
  information or data
• (e.g. industrial hygiene air monitoring data)
  that will ensure that
• canisters or cartridges are changed before their
  end of service life.
• This will help prevent break-through of the
  chemical cartridge
• and will prevent the wearer from being exposed to
  air
• contaminants as a result of overuse of a
  saturated chemical
• cartridge.
• If uncertain about the length of use, recommend
  disposing of the
• chemical cartridges after the response action or
  the work shift and
• obtain new ones.

46
Selection of Filters and Chemical Cartridges

• When using a respirator for protection for gasses
  and
• vapors, if you detect a chemical taste, smell, or
  irritation, you
• should exit to a clean area and replace the
  cartridges and inspect
• the respirator immediately.
• Additional assistance in determining chemical
  cartridge change
• schedules can be found under the Workplace
  Safety/Respiratory
• Protection Section of our website at
  http//www.ehs.unc.edu/workplace
• If uncertain about the length of use, recommend
  disposing of the
• chemical cartridges after the response action or
  the work shift and
• obtain new ones.

47
Selection of Filters and Chemical Cartridges

• What type of filter or cartridge is the below?

48
Types of RespiratorsReview of the
Characteristics of Specific Types of Respirators
49
Medical Evaluation

• Using a respirator may place a physiological
  burden, which varies
• with type of respirator worn, the job and
  workplace conditions in
• which the respirator is used, and the medical
  status of the
• employee. Potential negative physical demands of
  wearing a
• respirator include
• Extra strain on the heart
• Increased body temperature
• Heat Stress
• Dehydration
• Other ill health effects
• Each employee assigned to wear a respirator in
  carrying out his/her
• job responsibilities is to receive a medical
  evaluation to determine
• his/her ability to wear a respirator. The
  medical evaluation must
• be performed to determine the employees ability
  to use a
• respirator, before fit testing and use.

50
Inspection Procedures

• All respirators used in routine situations are to
  be inspected before
• and after each use and during cleaning. Before
  donning and using
• the respirator check for any malfunctions such
  as
• Broken/loose connectors
• Receptacles
• Cracked distorted facepieces
• Deformed valves
• Unclean respirators
• Check that you have the correct filter/cartridge
  and that the service life has not been exceeded.
• If something is damaged or worn, get a
  replacement part before using it.

51
Respirator Inspection

• Donning the respirator There are general steps
  you take with
• any respirator-try different respirator sizes
  until you are sure of
• fit and comfort. For example, if a half-mask
  respirator does not
• fit, you may have to wear a full face respirator.
• Steps Place chin in the respirator, pull it over
  your head,
• tighten straps, check for tight seal.
• Always perform a positive and negative pressure
  user seal
• check to ensure a good seal (explained in more
  detail in the
• following slides).
• Respirators that fail an inspection or are found
  to be defective
• are to be removed from service, and either
  discarded, repaired,
• or adjusted. Repairs or adjustments are to be
  made by persons
• appropriately trained.

52
Respirator Inspection

• Each individual who uses a tight-fitting
  respirator is to perform
• a user seal check to ensure that an adequate seal
  is achieved
• each time the respirator is put on. This can be
  achieved by
• performing a positive and negative pressure
  check.
• Positive Pressure Check
  Negative Pressure Check

53
Respirator Inspection

• Negative Pressure Check Close off the inlet
  opening of the
• canister or cartridges by covering with the palm
  of the hand or
• by replacing the filter seal, inhale gently so
  that the face piece
• collapses slightly, and hold the breath for ten
  seconds. This
• test can be performed by covering the inlet
  opening of the
• cartridge with a thin latex or nitrile glove. If
  the face piece
• remains in its slightly collapsed condition and
  no inward
• leakage of air is detected, the tightness of the
  respirator is
• considered satisfactory.

54
Respirator Inspection

• Positive Pressure Check Close off the
  exhalation valve (place
• palm of your hand over exhalation valve) and
  exhale gently into the
• face piece. The face fit is considered
  satisfactory if a slight positive
• pressure can be built up inside the face piece
  without any evidence of
• outward leakage of air at the seal.

55
Fit-Test Procedures

• Employees at UNC-CH are required to receive a
  quantitative fit test
• with the respirator that they will be using. The
  fit-testing will occur
• prior to initial use of the respirator, or
  whenever a different respirator
• face piece (size, style, model, or make) is used,
  and at least annually
• thereafter.
• An additional fit-test is conducted annually
  thereafter and whenever
• the employee, supervisor, the Environment,
  Health, and Safety Office,
• or the UEOHC makes visual observations of changes
  in the employees
• physical condition that could affect respirator
  fit.
• Such conditions include, but are not limited to,
  facial scarring, dental
• changes, cosmetic surgery, or any obvious change
  in body weight. The
• employee may select a different respirator if
  he/she does not think the
• respirator fit is acceptable, even after passing
  the test.

56
Fit-Test Procedures

• Quantitative fit testing is an assessment of the
  adequacy of
• respirator fit by numerically measuring the
  amount of leakage
• into the respirator. Testing is accomplished by
  modifying the
• face piece to allow sampling inside the face
  piece in the
• breathing zone of the user, midway between the
  nose and
• mouth. This requirement is accomplished by using
  a sampling
• adapter designed to temporarily provide a means
  of sampling
• air from inside the face piece.

57
Fit-Test Procedures

• A quantitative fit-test determines a fit-factor
  for the employee based on the type of
• the respirator used. A fit-factor is a
  quantitative estimate of the fit of a particular
• respirator to a specific individual, and
  estimates the ratio
• Fit Factor Concentration of particles in
  the ambient air
• Concentration of particles
  inside the respirator when worn
  
• Fit Factor Range 1 to greater that 10,000
• Particle Size Range 0.02 to greater than 1.0
  micrometer

58
Maintenance Storage Requirements

• All respirators are to be stored to protect them
  from damage,
• contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme
  temperatures, excessive
• moisture, and damaging chemicals. They are to be
  packed or
• stored to prevent deformation of the face piece
  and exhalation
• valve.
• Store respirators in a sealed plastic bag in a
  clean and preferably
• cool area such as a storage cabinet or locker.
• Emergency use respirators are to be kept
  accessible to the work
• area and stored in compartments or in covers
  that are clearly
• marked as containing emergency respirators and
  stored in
• accordance with any applicable manufacturer
  instructions.

59
Maintenance and Storage Requirements

• Maintenance and Care of Respirators Employees
  are to be
• provided with respirators that are clean,
  sanitary, and in good
• working order. Respirators are to be cleaned and
  disinfected using
• procedures recommended by the respirator
  manufacturer. Review the
• respirator instruction manual for specific
  procedures for cleaning and
• disinfecting the respirator.
• Respirators are to be cleaned and disinfected at
  the following
• intervals
• -As often as necessary to be maintained in a
  sanitary condition
• -Generally after each use
• -If the respirator is shared among employees it
  must be disinfected
• and cleaned after each use.

60

• Review

61
Respiratory Protection- Review

• UNC-CH has established rules about hazardous
  atmospheres to protect you at work?
• True or False
• You are required to perform and positive and
  negative pressure check every time you don an air
  purifying respirator?
• True or False
• The type of hazards you are exposed to determines
  the respirator selection process?
• True or False.
• Which of the following is NOT a method of
  engineering control for airborne contaminants?
• Respirators.
• Substitution.
• Local Exhaust Ventilation

62
Respiratory Protection- Review

• The two primary classifications of respirators
  are called?
• Air-Purifying
• Atmosphere Supplying
• A P100 filter is what kind of filter and what
  color code is it?
• High efficiency particulate air/purple-magenta
• An organic vapor chemical cartridge (color coded
  black) can be used for what work operations?
• Paint and solvent vapors when there is a
  potential vapor exposure hazard
• What type of maintenance should you perform on
  PPE?
• Inspect it.
• Proper storage.
• Clean it.

63
Any questions regarding UNC-CH Respiratory
Protection Program, please callWorkplace
SafetyPhone 919.962.5507 Web
www.ehs.unc.edu
1120 Estes Drive Ext. Campus Box 1650 Chapel
Hill, NC, 27599