Respiratory protection protects employees from airborne risks such as gases, hazardous dusts, etc. when all other Hierarchy of Controls measures is insufficient. Check out the pdf for more details.

1. Respiratory
Protection
Requirements

2. What is a Respirator?
A respirator is a device worn over the
nose and mouth to protect the wearer
from inhaling hazardous substances,
whether chemical, biological, or
radiological.
Respiratory protective devices consist of a
facepiece connected to either an air
source or an air-purifying device.

3. 10 Types of Respirators
Particulate-filtering
respirators
Chemical
cartridge/gas mask
respirators
Non-powered, or
negative pressure
respirators
Powered air-
purifying
respirators (PAPRs)
Self-contained
breathing
apparatuses
(SCBAs)
Supplied air
respirators (SARs)
Pressure demand
respirators
Continuous flow
respirators
Full facepiece
respirators
Half-mask
facepiece
respirators

4. What is Respiratory Protection?
Respiratory protection mainly comes into play in situations where workplace
engineering controls and modifications to work practices are unable to protect workers
from these airborne hazards.
OSHA has identified the need for respiratory protection for workers exposed to various
airborne hazards arising due to working in and around hazardous wastes and hazardous
materials such as silica and hydrogen sulfide, toxic chemicals, and bloodborne
pathogens.
OSHA also recommends respiratory protection when workers carry out work operations
in confined spaces and at excavation sites and trenches where the possibility of
encountering hazardous atmospheres or insufficient oxygen levels exists.

5. How do Respirators
Protect Workers?
Respiratory protection is used to protect
workers from inhaling contaminated air or
other hazardous air-borne particles that
would impact their good health and
compromise safety. Respirators protect
workers in case of a lack of or low levels of
oxygen in the environment; toxic gases,
mists, sprays, or vapors; harmful dust;
hazardous fog; and smoke.

6. To better understand the various types of respirators that are used in different
hazardous circumstances, read the article titled
‘Effective Respiratory Protection: How to Choose a Suitable Respirator’.

7. Respiratory Protection
Program
In a workplace where the use of respirators is
necessary to safeguard the health of employees,
employers must develop and implement a Respiratory
Protection Program to comply with OSHA’s Respiratory
Protection Standard.

8. This respiratory protection program must include the
following requirements:
There must be a written operating procedure that
details which respiratory protection will be used,
and why.
Respirators must be selected based on the specific
hazards prevalent at that worksite and to which
workers are or may be exposed.
Workers should be given training on the uses and
limitations of respiratory protection equipment
(RPE) they will be using at the worksite.
Respirators must be regularly cleaned, disinfected,
and stored in a clean, secure, and convenient
location.
Respirators should routinely be examined and
tested.
When required, respirators must be repaired or
replaced, as needed.
Employers must consistently monitor working
conditions and employee stress and exposure.
Before employees use respirators, fit testing must
occur to ensure that the respiratory equipment fits
each employee properly.
Medical examinations must be conducted, and
medical professionals should determine whether
employees are physically able to use respiratory
equipment.
The respiratory protection program must be
regularly evaluated to ensure effectiveness and
reflect any changes in the worksite, and for
recommending improvements as required.

9. Choosing the Right-Fit Respirator
To ensure proper respiratory protection, employers and employees
must not only choose the right-fit respirator but also the correct
respirator for the job. Here are three questions that must be answered
before workers can begin using a respirator.
What type of
respirator do I
need to wear?
Question
1:
Is it safe for me
to wear a
respirator?
Question
2: Do I require fit
testing/training
before using
the respirator?
Question
3:

10. Adhere to Respiratory Protection Regulations!
Enroll employees in HAZWOPER and OSHA
training to ensure they are protected
against respiratory hazards while meeting
all relevant respiratory protection
requirements as recommended by OSHA.
Click here to view our online course catalog.

11. Thank You!
https://hazwoper-osha.com/
Toll-Free Email
1-866-429-6742 info@hazwoper-osha.com