Bullard IHS Catalog

Respiratory Protection

What is the difference between OSHA and NIOSH? OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is part of the Department of Labor and is the agency that inspects a workplace for safety compliance. As part of that inspection, if respirators are being used, one of the things the inspector will check to see is that the respirator is NIOSH approved. NIOSH, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, administers a testing and certification program assuring commercial availability of respiratory protective devices that conform to the requirements of Title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 84. NIOSH tests and certifies (i.e. approves) respiratory protective devices and purchases certified products on the open market to verify continued compliance with the requirements of the 42 CFR, Part 84. NIOSH does not conduct job site compliance inspections and cannot issue fines for non-compliance. How do I select a respirator? According to OSHA, it is the responsibility of the employer to evaluate workplace hazards (if any) and implement appropriate controls to protect the worker. When engineering and/or administrative controls aren’t technically or financially feasible, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) may be used to protect the worker. When respiratory PPE is needed, the following steps may be helpful as you select a respirator:

1. Identify the hazard(s) including: • Lack of Oxygen, Organic Vapor, Acid Gas, Particulate, Confined Space, Explosion Potential, etc. 2. Analyze the hazard(s) including: • Contaminant Concentration vs. the PEL & IDLH • MSDS, Air Sampling, NIOSH Guide to Chemical Hazards • Lower Flammable Limit • Boiling Point • Odor Threshold • Eye/Nose/Throat Irritation • Substance Specific Standards 3. Calculate the APF required • APF = (Contaminant Concentration) / PEL 4. Account for other considerations • Air source options (Compressor, Bottle, Ambient Air Pump, PAPR, APR) • Comfort (Length of time, Temperature) • Cost (Including fit testing and consumables) 5. Choose Respirator • Type: APR, PAPR, SAR, or SCBA • Head Top: Half-Mask, Full-Facepiece, Loose-Fitting Facepiece, Hood, Helmet • Evaluate Capabilities & Limitations

Who must receive a Medical Evaluation? The employer shall provide a medical evaluation (at no cost to the employee) to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace. A Physician or Licensed Health Care Professional (PLHCP) may perform medical evaluations using a medical questionnaire or an initial medical examination that obtains the same information as the medical questionnaire. The employer may discontinue an employee's medical evaluations when the employee is no longer required to use a respirator.

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