Respiratory Protection

During a recent audit of a facility’s emergency response programs, we came across an interesting “manufacturer requirement” regarding the use of their Emergency Escape Breathing apparatus/device (EEBA or EEBD).  This client is one who wants every single layer of mitigation efforts reviewed and validated, so we reviewed their efforts surrounding these EEBA’s, especially since the…...

3/8/2021 UPDATE: Of course, someone finds an LOI that says otherwise to my position and totally blows me away – not because the LOI says a PFT is not required, but that in the LOI OSHA states that personnel who are trained to the Operations Level are not HAZMAT responders and therefore do not need…...

Firefighter #1, Firefighter #2, and Firefighter #3 were participating in a training drill. All three (3) Firefighters were assigned to the decontamination team, which is responsible for decontaminating hazardous materials response members. The team was suited in LEVEL B protective gear and was utilizing Self Contained Breathing Apparatus. The team was using a “buddy breather”…...

Last week I asked my FaceBook Group a “trick question” regarding the end-of-service-time indicator (EOSTI) on our Supplied Air Respirators that we use for emergency response.  I was so pleased to get so many texts/calls/emails and even a few phone calls checking to see if I was feeling OK.  I did not tell the group…...

A petrochemical refinery was undergoing a turnaround. A contractor crew had been assigned the job of sandblasting the inside surfaces of a reactor vessel (permit-required confined space). Although UNWRITTEN COMPANY POLICY called for the use of air compressors for supplying respirator air, this crew, with the supervisor’s knowledge, had previously used plant air to supply…...

Several of the EEBA manufacturers do not offer this advice upfront, but some manufacturers put this info in their owner’s manuals.  I am no lawyer, so I have no idea why a manufacturer would NOT provide this information for an Emergency Escape Breathing Apparatus (EEBA).  But having these devices in the workplace, if you use…...

What is the number 1 battle we deal with in our respirator programs?  Facial hair!  But luckily an Emergency Escape Breathing Apparatus (EEBA) is not hindered by facial hair; however, an EEBA could be hampered by…… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...

Emergency Escape Breathing Apparatus (EEBA) are making come back – at least I am finding more and more facilities that never had them now implementing them for many reasons.  Some companies now believe they are required because of PSM/RMP, some 3rd party PHA facilitators must be getting kick-backs as a lot are recommending them in…...

Here is a look at OSHA’s Respiratory Protection compliance activity in 2019 (October 2018 – September 2019). As you can see, OSHA did 1,298 inspections and issued 2,931 citations for a total of $3,808,871 in fines. Here is a quick breakdown of activity: NAICS Code: 33 / Manufacturing was #1 in # of citations with…...

This may cause anger in some, but it must be said in these crazy times…  To claim any level of respiratory protection, the respirator MUST BE: NIOSH/MSHA approved, AND FIT-TESTED using an OSHA prescribed protocol, AND the user must be properly trained in its use and limitations. Thus a “face covering” that is NOT MANAGED…...