Respiratory Protection OSHA Standard 1998

Summary of Requirements of OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard
June 98

In January 1998, OSHA issued a new respiratory protection standard, which became effective in April 1998. The standard is a significant change from the previous standard. A summary of the changes and new requirements is outlined below.

In This Document:

Voluntary Use of Respirators
Respirator Selection
Medical Evaluations
Fit Testing
Face Seal Protection
Respirator Effectiveness
Maintenance and Care of Respirators
Identification of Filters, Cartridges and Canisters
Training and Information
Program Evaluation

Voluntary Use of Respirators

A written program is not required if the only respirators in use are filtering face piece (dust masks) used voluntarily by employees (i.e., not required by the employer or the exposure level).

medical evaluations and fit tests are not required.

Voluntary use of any other type of respirator, besides a dust mask, does require a written program and:
medical evaluations, and an assessment of the hazards of respirator use.
the employee receive the information in "Information for Employees Using Respirators when Not Required Under the Standard."
cleaning, storage, maintenance procedures.
fit testing is not required, but encouraged.

Respirator Selection

The employer must select respirators from a "sufficient number" of models and sizes so that the respirator is acceptable to and correctly fits the wearer. (No requirement for the number of different sizes/types).
Respirators selected must protect the employee against the physical and chemical form of the contaminants.
- Air purifying respirators are not to be used in situations where a chemical cartridge or canister becomes saturated such that the gas or vapor contaminant can break through. Air supplying respirators must be used instead.
- Air purifying respirators can only be used against gas or vapor contaminants if it is equipped with a NIOSH approved end of service life indicator (ESLI), or if the employer enforces a sorbent change schedule based on reliable information about the service life of a cartridge or canister.
  - A cartridge change schedule is required according to OSHA procedures.

Medical Evaluations

Every employee must be "medically evaluated" prior to fit testing and initial use of a respirator.
- A medical evaluation is either:
  - a medical questionnaire (mandatory Appendix D) or
  - a medical examination
The medical evaluation must be conducted by a physician or other licensed health care professional. (PLHCP).
The employer must provide a copy of the written program to the PLHCP.
A follow up medical examination is required if an employee answers yes to any question in Appendix D, Section 2, part A, numbers 1 through 8.
The employer must obtain a written recommendation from the PHLCP on whether or not the employee is medically able to use the respirator.
- The employee also must receive a copy of the recommendation.
Medical re-evaluations must be provided when necessary (not necessarily annually).

Fit Testing

The employee must be fit tested with the same make, model, style and size of respirator before use.
May be either Qualitative or Quantitative, according to mandatory procedures.
Additional fit testing when necessary and annually.

Face Seal Protection

Employees are required to perform a "user seal check" each time they put on a respirator (according to procedures in Appendix E, or equally effective procedures recommended by the manufacturer).
Tight fitting face pieces are not to be worn by employees:
- who have facial hair that comes between the sealing surface and the face, or that interferes with valve function.
- who have any condition that interferes with the seal, such as missing dentures, jewelry, head gear.
- if the corrective glasses, goggles or other PPE interfere with the seal. (Contact lenses are allowed, if they pose no hazard).

Respirator Effectiveness

Employers must (these are all new):
- be aware of conditions in work areas where respirators are in use.
- ensure that employees leave the area to remove or adjust a respirator, or if the respirator is not functioning.
- replace repair or discard dysfunctional respirators.

Maintenance and Care of Respirators

Employers must provide each respirator wearer with a respirator that is clean, sanitary and in good working order.
Respirators must use the procedures for cleaning and disinfecting respirators described in Appendix C (mandatory).
- Respirators used by only one employee must be cleaned and disinfected as often as necessary to be maintained in a sanitary condition.
- Shared respirators must be cleaned and disinfected prior to use.
- Respirators for emergency use must be cleaned and disinfected after each use.
- Respirators used in fit tests and training exercises shall be cleaned and disinfected.
Respirators shall be stored in a manner that protects from damage, contamination, harmful environmental conditions, and damaging chemicals and prevents deformation of the facepiece and valves.
- Emergency use respirators must be accessible to the work area, and stored in clearly marked covers or containers.
Respirators must be inspected before each use and during cleaning.
- Emergency use respirators must be inspected at least monthly, and their performance checked before and after each use.
- Escape-only respirators are to be inspected prior to being carried into the workplace.
Respirators that fail inspections or are defective are to be removed from service and discarded, repaired or adjusted.

Identification of Filters, Cartridges and Canisters

Only filters, cartridges and canisters that are labeled and color coded with the NIOSH approval label shall be used.

Training and Information

Employees must be trained sufficiently to demonstrate:
- a knowledge of why the respirator is required.
- how improper fit, usage or maintenance can compromise the protectiveness of the respirator.
- the limitations and capabilities of the respirator.
- how to deal with emergencies or malfunctions.
- how to inspect, don and remove, and check the seal of the respirator.
- maintenance and storage procedures.
- medical symptoms and signs that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators.
- general requirements of this standard.
Retraining is required annually, and when necessary.
Voluntary users of respirators must be provided the information in Appendix B.

Program Evaluation

Employers must perform evaluations to determine whether the respiratory protection program is functioning effectively, including:
consulting with employees who use respirators to ascertain any problems with the equipment and to obtain their views on program effectiveness.
regular workplace evaluations.