2. Agenda
• WorkSafeBC Requirements
• Definitions
• Hazard Identification and Risk
Assessment
• Types of Respirators
• Respirator Selection
• Fit Testing
3. WorkSafeBC Regulation
• Workers who are or may be exposed to
air contaminants that exceed:
• an 8-hour TWA
• ceiling limit, or
• short term exposure limit
8. Hazard Identification & Risk
Assessment
1. Identify hazards
2. Control risks
3. Assess and control remaining hazards
4. Select and provide respirators
5. Fit test, train and issue respirators
9. Hazard Identification & Risk
Assessment
• When a respiratory hazard is identified:
• Determine nature of contaminant
• Determine probability of exposure
• Determine frequency of exposure
• Determine permissible exposure limit
15. Hazard Identification & Risk
Assessment
• Vapours
• Mix with air
• Solvents, gasoline, acetone
• Enter blood stream
• May cause damage to nerves and internal
organs
16. Hazard Identification & Risk
Assessment
• Oxygen Deficiency
• Normal air contains 21% oxygen
• O2 deficiency can develop from
• Rotting, rusting, burning
• Displacement by other gases
18. Types of Respirators
• Types of respirators
• Half facepiece
• Full facepiece
• Air Purifying Respirators (APR)
• Air Supplying Respirators
• Escape Respirators
19. Types of Respirators
• Half facepiece respirators
• Cover only nose, mouth and chin
• Available as
• Filtering facepiece (disposable), or
• Elastomeric facepiece with cartridges
20. Types of Respirators
• Disposable Half Facepiece Respirators
• Known as single-use or disposable
• No replacement parts
• Must have two straps
21. Types of Respirators
• Elastomeric Half Facepiece Respirators
• Made of silicone, thermoplastic or rubber
• Cartridges or filters
• One-way valves
• Greater level of protection than disposable
respirators
22. Types of Respirators
• Full Facepiece Respirators
• Cover full face
• Silicone, thermoplastic or rubber
• One or more cartridges or filters
• Clear lens
• Used when contaminants irritate the eyes
• Offer greater level of protection
23. Types of Respirators
• Air Purifying Respirators
• Use a filter, cartridge or canister
• Must know the concentration of the
contaminant
• Not for oxygen deficient atmospheres
• 2 types: non-powered and powered
24. Types of Respirators
• Non-powered Air Purifying Respirators
• Either half face or full face
• Similar operation in both
25. Types of Respirators
• Powered Air Purifying Respirators
(PAPR)
• Battery powered blower
• Easier to breath
• More protective than non-powered
• Still air purifying only
26. Types of Respirators
• Powered Air Purifying Respirators –
continued
• Available in
• Half face
• Full face
• Hood
• Helmet
27. Types of Respirators
• Escape Respirators
• For emergency escape only
• Never used for entry into contaminated
area
• Must be carried on worker in potentially
hazardous area
• Air purifying or air supplying
28. Types of Respirators
• Filters and cartridges
• Remove specific contaminants from the air
• Must use proper cartridge
• Only effective up to certain concentration
of contaminant
29. Types of Respirators
• Particulate Filters
• Nine classes of particulate
• N series (Not resistant to oil)
• R series (Resistant to oil)
• P series (Oil proof)
30. Types of Respirators
• Gas and Vapour Cartridges
• Remove gases and vapours from air
• Trap or react with contaminants
• Act like sponges
• Limited capacity
• Breakthrough
31. Types of Respirators
• Air purifying canisters
• Work like cartridges
• Larger and last longer
• Worn on chin, chest or back
32. Types of Respirators
• Cartridge Warning Properties
• Contaminants must have warning
properties
• Smell, taste, or breathing irritation
• Warning properties differ for each
contaminant
• Odour threshold
33. Types of Respirators
• Cartridge / Filter Maintenance
• Store in sealed container
• Replace filters / cartridges regularly
• Date filters / cartridges when installed
• Match cartridges with contaminants
34. Types of Respirators
• Air Supplying Respirators
• Supplied air (airline)
• Self-contained breathing apparatus
(SCBA)
35. Types of Respirators
• Supplied Air Respirators
• Provide clean air
• High pressure or low pressure systems
• Must be approved airlines
36. Types of Respirators
• Supplied Air Respirators – continued
• Hood or helmet
• No face seal
• No resistance to breathing
• Full face airline
• Face seal
• Positive pressure minimizes leaking
37. Types of Respirators
• Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
• Provides air from cylinder carried by
wearer
• Highest level of protection
• Permitted in IDLH conditions
39. Respirator Selection
• Respirators must be selected in
accordance with:
• The WorkSafeBC Regulation
• CSA Standard Can/CSA-Z94.4-93
• 13 Step respirator selection approach
40. Respirator Selection
1. Identify the Breathing Hazard
• Ensure atmosphere is not oxygen
deficient
• Is there an emergency?
• Are there hazardous air contaminants?
41. Respirator Selection
2. Check the concentration of each
contaminant
• Monitor to determine concentration
• Done by knowledgeable person
• Use historical measurements if available
• If unknown concentration use positive
pressure SCBA
42. Respirator Selection
3. Compare with WorkSafeBC Exposure
Limits
• If no exposure limits use positive pressure
SCBA
• Compare workplace concentration with
WorkSafeBC exposure limits
43. Respirator Selection
4. Check IDLH Concentration
• Is concentration less than IDLH?
• If not, use supplied air respirator
45. 6. Assigned Protection Factor
• Each type of respirator is assigned an APF
• Examples:
• Half facepiece (non powered): 10
• Full facepiece (non powered): 50
• Full facepiece (powered): 100
• SCBA (positive pressure): 10,000
46. Respirator Selection
7. Calculate the Hazard Ratio
• Airborne contaminant concentration / 8-
hour TWA
• Compare with assigned protection factors
• Choose respirator
47. Respirator Selection
8. Calculate Maximum Use Concentration
(MUC)
• 8-hour TWA x APF for respirator being
considered
• Air purifying respirators up to the MUC
• If over MUC, supplied air must be used
48. Respirator Selection
9. Identify General Type of Respirator
Required
• Air supplying – go to Step 13
or
• Air purifying – go to Steps 11 - 13
49. Respirator Selection
10. Consider State of Contaminant
• For air purifying respirators
• If contaminant is a gas or vapour go to
Step 11
• If contaminant is a particulate only go
to Step 12
50. Respirator Selection
11. Warning Properties
• Smell, taste, breathing irritation
• If no adequate warning properties use:
• Air-supplying respirator
• Air-purifying respirator with end-of-service-
life indicator
• Air-purifying respirator with cartridges
changed out regularly
51. Respirator Selection
12. Select Filter or Cartridge
• Each cartridge protects against specific
types of contaminants
• Must protect against all types
• Nine classes of filters for particulates
• Some contaminants have no effective
cartridge
54. Fit Testing
1. User seal check
• Negative pressure check
• Positive pressure check
2. Fit Test
• Quantitative fit test
• Qualitative fit test
55. Fit Testing
• User Negative Pressure
Seal Check
• Don respirator and other
PPE
• Block inlet opening
• Inhale slightly
• Hold for 10 seconds
• Facepiece should collapse
slightly and not leak
56. Fit Testing
• User Positive Pressure
Seal Check
• Don respirator and PPE
• Block exhaust valve
• Breathe out slightly
• Hold for 10 seconds
• Facepiece should bulge out
and stay out
57. Fit Testing
• Must be done by a qualified person
• Must be documented
• Must be done at least annually
60. Fit Testing
• Fit Test Exercises
1. Normal breathing
2. Deep breathing
3. Turning the head from side to side
4. Nodding the head up and down
5. Talking out loud
6. Normal breathing
62. Respirator Care
• Cleaning
• Remove filter/cartridges
• Remove head straps, valves, etc.
• Wash facepiece with mild soap and warm
water
63. Respirator Care
• Cleaning – continued
• Rinse facepiece in clean water
• Disinfect facepiece
• Dry facepiece
• Wash valves and air dry
• Reassemble
64. Respirator Care
• Inspecting the Respirator
• Inspect before each use
• Check for dirt, holes, tears, cracks
• Rubber / silicone should be flexible
• Inhalation and exhalation valves
• Make sure they are there
• Cracks, dryness
• Not stuck closed
65. Respirator Care
• Inspecting the Respirator – continued
• Head straps
• Cartridge and filter holders
• Cartridges and filters
66. Respirator Care
• Storage
• Position respirator to prevent damage
• Don’t fold or bend parts
• Keep in sealed container
• Seal filters
67. Medical Limitations /
Assessment
• Medical assessment may be required if:
• Claustrophobia
• Breathing problems
• High blood pressure or heart disease
• Diabetes
• Seizure disorders
• Facial skin problems
68. Medical Limitations /
Assessment
• Medical assessment:
• Type of work being done
• Types of contaminants and their
concentrations
• Work conditions / environment
• Type of respirator
• Duration of use
69. Summary
• What we have covered:
• WorkSafeBC Regulation
• How hazard identification and risk
assessments are done
• The types of respirators available
• How to choose the right respirator
• How to do a user fit check
70. Summary
• You should know – continued
• How fit testing is done
• How to clean store and inspect your
respirator
• About medical conditions and assessment
