Respiratory Protection

Use of Aftermarket Replacement Component Parts for NIOSH-Approved Respirators (NIOSH)

Worker safety can be compromised by using replacement component parts or accessories that are not NIOSH-approved for the specific respirator. Although NIOSH-approved respirators are comprised of various component parts, they are approved as a complete unit. The use of components which are not part of the approved assembly results in a respirator that has not […]

What is the ACTUAL assigned protection factor for Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR) WITHOUT a tight-fitting face piece?

Sounds like a simple question and often the answer is easy when dealing with reputable respirator manufacturers; however, the idea that providing a PAPR to a worker assures a higher protection factor is just wrong.  When we look at OSHA’s Assigned Protection Factors (APF) in 1910.134(d)(3)(i)(A) we see Table 1. – Assigned Protection Factors where

REQUIRED documentation for your Respiratory Protection Program

The Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134) contains information collection requirements that require employers to: Develop a written respirator program; Conduct worker medical evaluations and provide follow-up medical evaluations to determine the worker’s ability to use a respirator; Provide the physician or other licensed healthcare professional with information about the worker’s respirator and the conditions

Using OSHA inspection data to analyze respirator protection program compliance (DOL Report)

Several million American workers wear respirators on a regular basis, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that nonagricultural firms have a respiratory protection program. This article uses the OSHA inspection data base to examine all inspections in manufacturing in 47 states from 1999 through 2006; the examination starts with 1999 because an

Deaths Involving the Inadvertent Connection of Air-line Respirators to Inert Gas Supplies

OSHA Safety and Health Information Bulletin, SHIB 04-27-2004 This Safety and Health Information Bulletin is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. The Bulletin is advisory in nature, informational in content, and is intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace. Pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health

OSHA updates CPL 02-00-158, Inspection Procedures for the Respiratory Protection Standard

This new Respiratory Protection Directive updates OSHA’s inspection procedures and enforcement policies since the previous update, September 25, 1998. This Instruction provides guidance to the national, regional, and area offices for performing compliance inspections involving OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard, 29 CFR 1910.134. This Instruction also serves to inform industry, employer and worker groups, state programs, and

OSHA’s position on the respiratory protection “program administrator”

1910.134(c)(3) requires employers to designate a person as the respiratory protection “program administrator” and to ensure that this person is qualified to perform the responsibilities of this position. The person can be qualified either by appropriate training or experience or both. The administrator is also the person responsible for evaluating the program, as stated in

“Have PPE/Respirator Available”…

Does your safety program have any safe work practices or does your Process Safety Management system have procedures with this requirement? It seems to be the fairly commonplace to require personnel to “have PPE available” for some critical tasks that can turn into an IDLH environment rather quickly. For those not familiar with this “practice”,

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