A Guide to Respiratory Protection
Breathing Hazards
Particulates
Can be created from a solid or a liquid. Solid particles are produced by operations such as grinding, crushing, drilling, blasting, sanding, and milling. Liquid particulates can result from agricultural processes, cooling systems, and spraying processes.Gases
Created when solid materials vaporize under high heat. Fumes come from operations such as welding, smelting, and pouring of molten metal.Fumes
Created when solid materials vaporize under high heat. Fumes come from operations such as welding, smelting, and pouring of molten metal.Vapors
Formed when a solid or liquid evaporates. Common vapors are gasoline, paint thinners, and degreaser solvents.Respirator Solutions
Air Purifying Disposable Respirators
These respirators contain filter material to block airborne particles from passing through the wearer's facemask. Designed to be thrown away when used to capacity.
Air Purifying Maintenance-Free Respirators
These respirators contain filter material to block airborne particles from passing through the wearer's facemask. Designed to be thrown away when used to capacity.
Air Purifying Low-Maintenance Respirators
Combine the economy of disposables with the flexibility of reusable respirators. Cartridges, pre-filters, and some replacement parts are available.
Air Purifying Reusable Respirators
Heavy-duty respirators feature a full line of replacement parts for longer life with full-face or half-mask options. Cartridges are available for a wide variety of chemical contaminants. Pre-filters are available for additional protection from particulates.
Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR)
Battery charged blower units power these respirators and supply a continuous flow of filtered air into the headpiece. These systems are available with additional head protection for a variety of application requirements.
Airline Respirator Systems
Also known as supplied-air respirators, airline systems use a pump and hose to bring breathable air into the wearer's facemask system. This supplied air can be pressure demand (air flows only when you breathe) or continuous flow (a constant stream of air flows into the facemask system).
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
These respirators allow you to carry your own supply of breathable air in a cylinder. The cylinders are high-pressure, can weigh up to 30 lb. and are generally mounted on a belt worn by the user.
Escape Respirators
Designed to be used only in an emergency and only to escape from a dangerous area to a safe area. They are typically designed for one-time use for a short period, generally 15 minutes to 1 hour.Filter Selection
| Hazard | Respirator Choices |
|---|---|
| Particulate Contaminants |
Disposable
Air Purifying Facepiece with filter PAPR with filter Airline SCBA |
| Gas/Vapor Contaminant |
Air Purifying with chemical cartridges
PAPR with chemical cartridges Airline SCBA |
| Gas/Vapor/Particulate Contaminants |
Air Purifying with chemical cartridges and filters
PAPR with chemical cartridges and filter Airline SCBA |
| Oxygen Deficient or IDHL (Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health) |
Airline with escape cylinder
SCBA |
N Ratings area
| Filter Level | Time Restriction |
|---|---|
| 95 | Mask has 95% efficiency rating |
| 99 | Mask has 99% efficiency rating |
| 100 | Mask has 99.997% efficiency rating |
Filter Resistance to Oily Mists
| Filter | Time Restriction |
|---|---|
| N - Filters non-oil based particulates | No time restrictions |
| R - Filters non-oil & oil based particulates | Use restricted to one 8-hour shift |
| P - Filters non-oil & oil based particulates | No time restrictions |
Gas and Vapor Selection
| Cartridge Color | Hazard |
|---|---|
| Black | Organic Vapors
(such as paints and thinners) |
| White |
Acid Gasses
(such as chlorine, hydrogen sulfate, and sulfur dioxide) |
| Yellow | Organic Vapors and Acid Gases |
| Green | Ammonia or Methylamine |
OSHA Requirements
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) oversees and regulates workplace health and safety. OSHA requirements define the minimum acceptable standards for a Respiratory Program (29 CFR 1910.134). These requirements include the following:
- Where respirators are required, a Respiratory Protection Program should be put in place with a qualified program administrator and written operating procedures.
- Employers must provide respirators, training, and health evaluations at no cost to their employees.
- Do not assign persons to tasks requiring respirator use unless they have been medically evaluated and deemed fit to perform the work and use the equipment.
- Use only National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved respirators.
- Properly select respirators based on hazards your workers are exposed to.
- Conduct fit testing and train workers on the proper use and limitations of respirators.
- Clean and disinfect respirators regularly.
- Store respirators in a convenient and sanitary location.
- Routinely inspect respirators during cleaning and replace worn or deteriorating parts. Emergency use respirators must be thoroughly inspected at least once a month and after every use.
- Regularly inspect and evaluate the effectiveness of your Respiratory Program.
Related Links
- OSHA website at https://www.osha.gov
- ANSI website at https://www.ansi.org
Fit Testing
OSHA requires regular fit testing of any respirator that forms a tight protective seal on the user’s face (29 CFR 1910.134). There are many occasions when testing is recommended.
- Annually
- For new respirators
- For new employees
- When an employee has had significant physical changes to their head or face, like dental surgery
There are two types of fit testing to judge face seal integrity, both of which have a user wearing a respirator during various breathing and movement exercises.
- Qualitative Fit Testing: user senses the presence of an OSHA-approved testing agent by taste or smell
- Quantitative Fit Testing: an instrument measures faceseal leakage with an aerosol agent or negative pressure and grades its “fit factor”
OSHA recommends a quick seal check any time a user puts on a respirator.
- Positive pressure user seal check: the user exhales while blocking the respirator’s air paths to see if slight pressure builds up without leakage
- Negative pressure user seal check: the user inhales while blocking the respirator’s air paths, which should cause the facepiece to collapse slightly when successful
Questions about Respiratory Protection?
Call our knowledgeable Technical Support Department at 1-800-922-8553, or fill out the form below:
