Respiratory Protection Programs
When respirators are required at a worksite, the employer must establish a respiratory protection program in accordance with the OSHA standard on respiratory protection, 29 CFR 1910.134.
Worker wearing a respirator while spraying paint.
Elements that have a more direct impact on the user include knowledge of selection criteria, medical evaluations, procedures for proper use, fit-testing, and maintenance procedures.
The elements of an effective respiratory protection program include:
- selecting appropriate respirators for use in the workplace;
- training employees in the proper use of respirators (including putting them on and removing them), the limitations on their use, and their maintenance;
- providing medical evaluation and surveillance of employees who must use respirators.
- fit testing tight-fitting respirators;
- using respirators properly in routine situations as well as in reasonably foreseeable emergencies;
- ensuring adequate air supply, quantity, and flow of breathing air for atmosphere-supplying respirators;
- establishing and adhering to schedules for cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, removing from service or discarding, and otherwise maintaining respirators; and
- regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the program.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
3-3. When respirators are required at a worksite, the employer must _____.
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