Respirator Use Policy

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
   1. Campus Policy Statement
   2. Program Elements:
2. Administrative Responsibilities
   1. Environmental Health & Safety Office (EH&S):
   2. The UCSC Occupational Health Physician:
   3. Supervisors, Principle Investigators, and Directors:
   4. Employees, Students, Volunteers:
3. Respirator Use Authorization
   1. Prerequisites
   2. Medical Qualification
   3. Training
   4. Fit Testing
4. Respirator Use at UCSC
   1. Types of Respirators
   2. Selection
   3. Respirator Issue
   4. Use of Respirators in the Field
   5. Respirator Return
5. Program Maintenance
   1. New Job Consultation
   2. Auditing

APPENDIX I - Definitions

Air-Purifying Respirator;Approved Respirators; Canister (Air-Purifying); Cartridge; Confined Space; Contaminant; Exhalation Valve; Facepiece; Filter; High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filter; IDLH Atmosphere; Inhalation Valve; Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA); National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH); Particulate Matter; Particulate; Filter; Fume; Particulate Series N - P - R; Pesticide; Protection Factor; Qualitative Fit Test; Quantitative Fit Test; Resistance; Respirator; Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA); Vapor

APPENDIX II - Medical Certification Information

1. Medical Protocol For Respirator Use
2. Instructions for Scheduling Medical Appointments
3. Workplace pulmonary function testing and Spirometry fact sheet

APPENDIX III - Types of Respirators

1. Disposable Dust/Particulate Respirators
2. Particulate Respirators for Toxic Exposures N.- R.- P. Classes
3. Air Purifying Half Mask Respirators
4. Air Purifying Full Facepiece Respirators
5. Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR)
6. Airline Respirators (Pressure Demand or Continuous Flow)
7. Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

APPENDIX IV - Fit Testing Procedures

1. Qualitative Fit Testing
2. Quantitative Fit Test

1. Introduction
   1. Campus Policy Statement

      The University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC) is committed to maintaining a campus environment which will not adversely affect the health, safety, and well-being of students, employees, visitors, and the community.

      Respiratory hazards at UCSC are eliminated through the use of engineering controls where feasible. For situations where engineering controls are not feasible or during emergencies, respirators are used for protection from inhalation hazards.

      Work related activities requiring respirator use shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Title 8 California Code of Regulations (CCR) concerning Respiratory Protection Programs. This document constitutes written operating policies and procedures required by those regulations.

      UCSC shall provide each employee required to use respiratory protection with a medical exam, respiratory protection equipment, and training on the safe and proper way to use their respirator. Each employee participating in the UCSC respiratory protection program shall have full responsibility for using respirators as instructed and in strict accordance with all provisions of this policy document.

   2. Program Elements:

      The UCSC Respiratory Protection Program is designed to protect campus personnel form respiratory hazards originating from work related activities. As a minimum elements of this program shall include:

      1. Implementing appropriate engineering and administrative controls (e.g. ventilation, isolation, work practices, product substitution) to minimize or eliminate the use of respirators.
      2. Medical certification, training, and fit testing of respirator users.
      3. Ensuring respirator selection is based on hazards to which an employee may be exposed and that only NIOSH/MSHA certified respirators are used.
      4. Maintenance of an ongoing program for training, fitting, cleaning, storage, and inspection of respirators.
      5. Ensuring the respiratory protection program is periodically audited.
2. Administrative Responsibilities

   Responsibilities for developing and maintaining the UCSC Respiratory Protection Program shall be as follows:

   1. Environmental Health & Safety Office (EH&S):
      1. Shall recommend, review, and approve purchases of respiratory protection equipment.
      2. Provide instruction to personnel on: a) the need for respiratory protection, b) respirator selection, c) respirator use and maintenance, and d) limitations of respirators.
      3. Perform or assist with fit testing persons required to wear respiratory protection equipment.
      4. Assist with developing and implementing controls to reduce or eliminate the need for respiratory protection.
      5. Conduct a compliance audits of the campus respiratory protection program.
      6. Act as an information resource for problems and questions related to respiratory protection.
   2. The UCSC Occupational Health Physician:
      1. Shall establish health standards which must be met by all prospective respirator users.
      2. Conduct medical examinations on employees and students who wear respirators because of their job assignments or for other reasons because of their affiliation with UCSC.
      3. Provide certification that persons required to wear respirators are physically able to do so without adverse medical consequences.
   3. Supervisors, Principle Investigators, and Directors:
      1. Shall identify employees who may need respiratory protection equipment.
      2. Ensure the initial and subsequent annual medical testing, fit testing, and training as required by this document is provided to employees required to wear respirators.
      3. Ensure respiratory protection equipment is properly used.
      4. Perform annual audits of departmental respiratory protection activities and submit findings to EH&S.
   4. Employees, Students, Volunteers:
      1. Shall use respiratory protection equipment as instructed and in accordance with all provisions of this policy.
      2. Inform his/her supervisor of any unusual or temporary health conditions which could be aggravated by the use of respiratory protection equipment.
      3. Ensure his or her respirator is kept clean, in good working order, and stored in an appropriate manner.
      4. Report any malfunction of respiratory protection equipment to their supervisor.
      5. Use only UCSC issued respirators for which he/she has been trained and fitted.
      6. Use the correct type of respiratory protection for the hazard involved.
      7. Inform supervisors of new situations which may require a change in the use of respiratory protection equipment.
3. Respirator Use Authorization
   1. Prerequisites

      Only persons with written authorization from their supervisor and EH&S may wear respiratory protection equipment. No person shall receive written authorization until they have been medically qualified, fitted, and trained as described in this policy.

   2. Medical Qualification

      Prior to being fitted and trained for respirator use, personnel must be certified as medically able to wear a respirator without adverse health consequences. Certification of medical capability shall be provided by the Campus physician.

      Medical screening shall be conducted as follows:

      1. Supervisors of employees assigned to jobs requiring the use of respirators will contact the Campus Health Center to schedule an appointment for screening.
      2. The scope of medical evaluations shall be at the discretion of the Physician. Evaluations for first time respirator users shall as a minimum include pulmonary function tests (FVC and FEV1) and completion of a medical history questionnaire. Subsequent medical evaluation may be limited to completion of the medical history questionnaire.
      3. Persons who indicate a significant respiratory condition on the medical questionnaire or who fall below normal ranges on pulmonary function tests may require a more extensive medical evaluation. Results from this evaluation shall determine the employees eligibility for respirator use.
      4. Employees will be given a written pass/fail certification from the Campus Health Center stating parameters under which the individual is medically able to wear a respirator.
      5. Cowell Student Health Center shall maintain records of all pulmonary function tests, medical history questionnaires and certifications of respirator use eligibility. A copy of the certification shall be sent to the individual's supervisor and to EH&S.
      6. Medical qualification must be repeated annually for as long as the employee is required to wear a respirator. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring subordinates are scheduled for annual recertification.
   3. Training
      1. Employees required to wear respiratory protection equipment shall be thoroughly trained in the selection, care, use, and limitations of the equipment. Training will vary depending on the type of respirator issued and the nature of the airborne hazard. As a minimum, each employee shall receive training when first issued a respirator and annually thereafter. Training shall include:
         1. An explanation of the contents of the UCSC respiratory protection policy and the prerequisites for respirator use.
         2. A description of the different types of respirators, conditions of use, fitting, selection, and limitations.
         3. Procedures for obtaining respirators, cleaning, storage, inspection, and maintenance.
      2. Specialized training will be required for personnel assigned to use emergency SCBA systems.
      3. Training Attendance Records will be maintained by the Supervisor and EH&S.
   4. Fit Testing

      The safe and effective use of respiratory protection equipment, especially negative pressure respirators, requires that the respirator be properly fitted to the employee. Poorly fitting respirators fail to provide the expected degree of protection. Furthermore, no one model of respirator is capable of fitting all people; therefore, several models may be needed to find a good fit for some people.

      Prior to issuing a reusable, face-fitting respirator to any employee, the employee must successfully pass a qualitative fit test on that respirator. The complete UCSC fit testing protocol is described in Appendix IV. Other aspects of the UCSC respirator fit policy are re described below:

      1. An employee cannot be fitted with a face-sealing respirator if there is any facial hair present which would come between the skin and face mask sealing surface. Moderate stubble at the sealing surface is considered excessive facial hair.
      2. Any employee who exhibits difficulty breathing or a severe psychological reaction during any phase of fit testing shall be referred to the Campus Health Center to reevaluate whether the employee is capable of wearing a respirator.
      3. Fit testing shall be repeated at least annually or more frequently if any change occurs which may alter respirator fit. Such changes may include:
         1. a weight change of 20 pounds or more.
            
         2. significant facial scarring in the area of the face seal.
            
         3. significant dental changes, i.e., multiple extractions without prosthesis, or dentures.
            
         4. reconstructive or cosmetic surgery.
            
         5. any other condition which may interrupt the facepiece seal.
      4. Supervisors shall maintain records of fit tests in the employees respiratory protection file.
      5. Respirator Use Certification shall not be issued to any employee who has not been successfully fit tested.
4. Respirator Use at UCSC
   1. Types of Respirators

      Respirators available for protection from specific inhalation hazards are classified as either (1) Air-purifying respirators or (2) Atmosphere supplying respirators. Air-purifying respirators work by removing contaminants from ambient air before it is inhaled. Atmosphere supplying respirators provide clean air from an exterior source such as tanks or an air compressor. The following list describes the various types of respirators available to UCSC employees.

      1. Disposable Dust, Mist, (Particulate) Respirators
      2. Air Purifying Half Mask Respirators
      3. Air Purifying Full Face Respirators
      4. Powered Air Purifying Respirators
      5. Air Line Respirators
      6. Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

      Detailed descriptions of these respirators including limitations, advantages and disadvantages are described in Appendix III.

   2. Selection

      This section describes guidelines for the selection and use of a suitable respirator. As a minimum, respirator selection shall be based on the following considerations:

      1. All respirators required by campus personnel under this policy shall be NIOSH/MSHA approved.
      2. Selection of respiratory protection equipment shall be based on (a) the nature of the respiratory hazard, (b) extent of the hazard, (c) work requirements and conditions, and (d) characteristics and limitations of available respirators.
      3. Air-purifying respirators shall not be used in atmospheres deficient in oxygen or other "Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health" (IDLH) atmospheres or in emergencies where the concentration and type of air contaminant is unknown.
   3. Respirator Issue
      1. Respirators will only be issued to persons who have been medically examined, trained and fitted as described in Section III of this document.
      2. You must have approval from EH&S before you purchase or use a respirator. Respirators may be obtained at the Thimann Stockroom, Campus Facilities Shop Store, or ordered through safety supply catalogs.
      3. Individuals should only acquire the type of respiratory protection equipment they have approval to use.
   4. Use of Respirators in the Field

      Once the proper respirator has been selected, care must be exercised in its use, cleaning, storage and maintenance. This section describes the controls which help ensure each respirator will function according to its design specifications.

      1. Initial Inspection: Upon receipt of a new respirator and before each use of a respirator, employees shall inspect it to determine whether:
         1. It is the correct brand, size, and type of respirator for the job. (Read the cartridge on air purifying respirators to verify it is approved for the intended use).
         2. It is intact, complete and functioning. Visually inspect all parts of the respirator for defective or worn parts. This inspection should include straps, hoses, valves, gaskets, rubber mask, filters and cartridges, as required. Only after a satisfactory inspection should the mask be donned.

            The respirator should not be used if any problems are discovered during the check-out procedure. The Unit Supervisor or EH&S should be notified for advice on how to proceed. Where appropriate, defective or worn parts will be replaced with new parts. However, respirator parts shall never be interchanged between different brands of respirators, as this would void their NIOSH/MSHA approval.

      2. Use Responsibilities: The employee assigned to a job requiring the use of respiratory protection equipment shall use the equipment in accordance with this document and training.
      3. Cleaning and Sanitizing: Every respirator must be cleaned and sanitized after each use or each day's use by at least one of the following techniques:
         1. Light cleaning should be done by wiping down all rubber surfaces of the respirator with sani-wipes (available at the Stockroom or Shop Store). These may need to be used several times throughout the day when working in particularly dirty environments.
         2. Thorough cleaning is performed by removing cartridges and imersing the respirator into a cleaning/sanitizing solution. The respirator is then cleaned with brushes or scrubbers, rinsed twice to remove all soap/sanitizer residue, and air dried at temperatures of less than 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
      4. Storage: When not in use, respirators shall be stored in sealed plastic bags or other sealed containers and shall be protected form dust, sunlight, extremes of temperature, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals.
      5. Replacement of Cartridges/Filters: Cartridges and filters shall be replaced on a routine basis or as they become saturated or clogged with contaminants. Replacement cartridges or filters can be obtained from the Stockroom or Shop Store by presenting a properly completed "Replacement Organic Cartridge/Filter Request Card".
   5. Respirator Return
      1. A respirator must be returned to the supervisor when any of the following conditions are met:
         1. It is no longer needed.
            
         2. It malfunctions or is damaged.
            
         3. It becomes contaminated with toxic chemicals.
            
         4. It becomes uncleanable or difficult to wipe down.
      2. Supervisors will notify EH&S about change in respirator use activities. EH&S shall update this information in the respirator users log.
5. Program Maintenance
   1. New Job Consultation

      EH&S will assist departments with the evaluation of new or unusual jobs to determine if there is a hazard from airborne contaminants. EH&S shall also recommend engineering controls or the use of respiratory protective devices as appropriate to protect personnel from potential airborne hazards.

   2. Auditing
      1. An annual audit of compliance with this respiratory protection program shall be conducted by EH&S. This audit may include any of the following:
         1. Inspection of all records, files, and logs kept by EH&S, supervisors, and the Health Center for completeness.
         2. Spot inspections of storage and use of respiratory protection equipment in the field.
         3. Spot questioning of persons required to wear respirators as to their qualification and training.
         4. Review of compliance with required annual fit testing, medical qualification and training.
         5. Review of the written program for necessary changes.

APPENDICES

This UCSC Written Respiratory Protection Plan Last Revised on March 26, 1996.