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Feb-99

New Respiratory Protection Standard Overview

 

There's a New Standard?

     On May 22, 1999, compliance with the new Respiratory Protection Standard (Section 5144, Title 8, CCR) is required of all employers falling under the Standards' jurisdiction.  The revised regulation contains many new provisions, but it is important to begin with the requirements that relate to the most serious hazards in your workplace.

     CSRMA Risk Control will be issuing a series of Bulletins over the next several months to assist you in understanding the new Standard and the changes it requires.  This is the first of that series and is intended to present a broad picture of the new Standard and the new requirements it contains.  Each of the subsequent Bulletins on this topic will address  the new requirements in greater detail.

 

How Does The New Standard Differ From the Old Standard?

     There are several new requirements, but much has remained the same.  For example, before resorting to the use of respirators, hazardous airborne exposures must first be controlled as far as feasible by engineering controls.  The following are areas where the Standard has changed:

Important Changes in the Revised Regulation:  (the specific citation for each program element is listed in parentheses)

  • Voluntary Use:  provisions where employees use respirators and dust masks as a voluntary precaution (5144(c)(2) )
  • Qualified Program Administrator is now required.  An individual is qualified to be a Program Administrator if he or she has appropriate training or experience in accord with the programs complexity.  This individual is responsible for running the program and evaluate its effectiveness over time. (5144 (c)(3) )
  • Atmospheres Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: detailed specifications of acceptable respirators is provided (5144 (d)(2))
  • End of Service Life Indicators:  required for chemical cartridges, or the employer must have data showing acceptable change-out times (5144 (d)(3)(c)(2) )
  • Employee Medical Evaluations:  required prior to first use of a respirator, as well as follow-up medical examinations and allowing employees to discuss their medical questionnaire results with the administering health care provider  (5144 (e) )
  • Powered Air-Purifying Respirators:  to be provided to employees unable to wear a negative pressure respirator for medical reasons (5144(e)(6)(B))
  • Annual Face Seal Fit Testing:  acceptable methods of fit testing are detailed in Appendix A of the regulation.  Fit testing is now also required for tight-fitting air-supplied respirators, such as SCBAs.  (5144(f))
  • Facepiece Seal Checks:  each time a tight-fitting respirator is donned, its user must perform a seal check as specified in Appendix B-1  (5144 (g)(1)(C))
  • Atmospheres that may be immediately dangerous to life or health:  contains detailed precautions to be taken (5144 (g)(3))
  • Annual Employee Training:  employees must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills specific to the hazards and uses of respirators in their particular workplace, including emergency use (5144(k))
  • Ongoing Respirator Program Evaluation:  including periodic consultation with employees (5144 (l))
  • Contact Lenses:  contact lenses can be safely worn with respirators
  • Facial Hair:  the employer shall not permit respirators with tight-fitting facepieces to be worn by employees who have facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interferes with valve function (5144 (g)(1)(A)(1))

 

What Elements Are Required To Be In A Respiratory Program?

    • All procedures must be in written form
    • Procedures and documentation for selecting appropriate respirators
    • Medical evaluation of respirator users
    • Face seal fit testing(annual)
    • Procedures for routine and emergency use
    • Respirator cleaning and disinfection, storage, inspection, maintenance and repair
    • Air quality for supplied air devices
    • Employee training (annual)
    • Periodic program evaluation

 

Where Can I Get More Information?

To obtain a copy of the regulation…http://www.dir.ca.gov

For CalOSHA telephone assistance and to obtain a free CalOSHA consultation at your facility…1-800-963-9624

To obtain a copy of the Questions and Answers on the Respiratory Protection Standard, http://www.OSHA.gov

To obtain a free copy of the Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Revised Respiratory Protection Standard, (includes a sample Respiratory Protection program), http://www.OSHA.gov

 

For more assistance, please contact David Patzer, CSRMA Risk Control Advisor at

(415) 371-5430

or, email questions to

dpatzer@rfdriver.com