Respiratory Protection Programs

By Accident Fund Senior Loss Control Consultant Richard McLaughlin

OSHA’s respirator standard applies in all occupational situations where employees are exposed to a hazardous level of an airborne contaminant or are required/permitted to wear respirators by the employer.

Four key duties the employer has related to this standard are:

1. Use engineering controls where feasible to control the hazard.
2. Provide an appropriate respirator.
3. Ensure the use of an appropriate respirator.
4. Institute a respiratory protection program.

A respiratory protection program will provide respirator users with knowledge of the following to ensure they are safely using the proper respirator:

• Selection criteria
• Medical evaluations
• Fit testing
• Procedures for proper use
• Maintenance procedures

Tips for Success

• Plan out the steps required to establish and implement a written program.
• Retain records of medical evaluations, fit testing and program audits.
• Evaluate the program to allow for continuous improvements that maintain its effectiveness.
• Facilitate employee involvement by having them assist with auditing the program.
• For voluntary use of filtering facepiece respirators, provide employees with the information contained in Appendix D of the OSHA respiratory protection standard. For voluntary use of all other respirators, implement written controls for medical fitness and proper maintenance procedures.