Respiratory Protection
Respiratory protection is also necessary for certain operations such as blasting, sweeping, vacuuming, and for other jobs as determined at the worksite by an industrial hygienist or other qualified professional. However, respirators are the least preferred method of controlling lead exposure, and they should not be used as the only means of preventing or minimizing exposures. The use of respirators should supplement the continued use of engineering controls and good work practices.
When respirators are used, the employer must establish a comprehensive respiratory protection program. Important elements of the OSHA respiratory protection standard are:
- an evaluation of the worker's ability to perform the work while wearing a respirator;
- regular training of personnel;
- periodic environmental monitoring; and
- respirator fit testing, maintenance, inspection, cleaning, and storage.
The program should be evaluated regularly by the employer. Without a complete respiratory protection program, workers will not receive the protection anticipated.
Respirators should be selected by the person who is in charge of the program and knowledgeable about the workplace and the limitations associated with each type of respirator. Because exposures to lead during construction may vary substantially throughout a workshift and between days, the highest anticipated exposure should be used to determine the appropriate respirator for each job.
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8-7. What is an important element of the OSHA respiratory protection standard?
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