Respiratory Protection
An estimated 5 million workers are required to wear respirators in 1.3 million workplaces throughout the United States. Compliance with the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard could avert hundreds of deaths and thousands of illnesses annually.
Respiratory Protection in General Industry
Respirators must meet the requirements in OSHA standard 1910.134(g) and protect workers against insufficient oxygen environments, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays. These hazards may cause cancer, lung impairment, diseases, or death.
In order to protect your health, effective engineering and work practice controls such as ventilation, wet methods, and confinement of the task must be established. However, if these measures are not feasible, or not protective enough, appropriate respirators must be used.
When respirators are required, a written program must be implemented covering many important elements such as respirator selection procedures, fit testing for tight-fitting respirators, maintenance protocol, medical evaluations, and training. The employer must also designate a program administrator to oversee the respiratory protection program and conduct required testing and training.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
10-7. What do respirators protect workers from?
You forgot to answer the question!