Respirator Program

1. Purpose

To outline the requirements for the use, selection and care of respiratory equipment.

2. Scope

• 2.1 Respirators refer to any type of protective equipment provided to protect an employee from hazardous material in the air. This can include half-face, full- face or helmet style equipment with cartridge filters, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or disposable N-95 particulate respirators.

3. Responsibility

• 3.1 The Manager or Supervisor of a respirator user will:
  • Ensure that health screening, fit testing and training are completed prior to assigning a task that requires the use of a respirator.
  • Provide information on the Respirator User Screening Form (OHS-013(A)) as to the type of respirator needed and the working conditions of each respirator user.
  • Ensure reusable respirators are cleaned, inspected, maintained, stored and repaired.
  • Ensure employees wear the appropriate respirator and that, in the case of tight-fitting facepiece respirators, ensure that respirator users maintain a clean-shaven condition and do not have any object or material that would interfere with the seal or operation of the respirator.
• 3.2 The Respirator User will:
  • In the case of tight-fitting facepiece respirators, maintain a clean-shaven condition and do not have any object or material that would interfere with the seal or operation of the respirator.
  • Maintain their assigned respirator and verify that the respirator is clean and in good operating condition prior to use.
  • Perform a negative and/or positive pressure user seal-check after each donning of a tight-fitting respirator.
  • Remove from service a respirator that they determine to be defective and report it to their immediate supervisor.
  • Report to their supervisor any condition or change that may impact on their ability to use a respirator safely.
  • Use the respirator in accordance with the instructions and training received.
  • Record filter usage and maintenance activities for their assigned respirator on the Respirator Activity Log (OHS 013 Form C).
    • Note: Not applicable for N95 Particulate Respirators.
• 3.3 The Occupational Health and Safety Coodinator will:
  • Update and maintain the Respirator Program procedure.
  • Liaise with the Health Care Professional when Medical Assessments are required, maintain files of completed Respirator User Screening Forms and advise the respective supervisor of any restrictions to respirator use.
  • Offer or arrange for fit testing for employees and maintain records of the results.
  • If requested, will train alternate employees to perform fit testing.

4. Procedure

• 4.1 Medical Assessments
  • Prior to wearing a respirator, the supervisor will complete Parts 1 to 4 on the Respirator User Screening Form A.
  • The respirator user will complete Part 5 and send the form to the Occupational Health & Safety Coordinator (Safety Coordinator). It is not necessary to offer specific medical information.
  • The Safety Coordinator will complete Part 6 after reviewing the information and determining whether the respirator user will be sent for a medical assessment. The Safety Coordinator may have to contact the respirator user to clarify responses. All medical information will remain confidential.
  • If an employee requires a medical assessment, the Safety Coordinator will contact an Occupational Physician to arrange for an appointment. A copy of the Respirator Users Screening Form will be provided to the doctor. Details of the medical assessment will be sent to the respirator user and their respective supervisor. Appendix A may be used for this purpose.
  • Once the Occupational Physician has assessed the respirator user, he/she will complete Part 7 of Form A and return the competed form to the Safety Coordinator.
  • The Safety Coordinator will advise the respective supervisor if their employee is able to wear a respirator and if there are any specific restrictions.
  • The Safety Coordinator will file the completed Medical Assessment documentation in the employee’s confidential medical file in Human Resource Services.
• 4.2 Respirator Selection
  • The supervisor is responsible to ensure that the respirator and filter cartridge (if applicable) are suitable for the hazard intended to be protected against and meet any requirements prescribed in Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.
  • The respirator user may try on a variety of respirators in order to select a respirator that is comfortable. Once a respirator is selected that is comfortable, the user adjusts the straps and seats the respirator on the face by moving their head up and down and side to side. The user will perform a negative and positive User Seal Check as outlined in Appendix B or G, as applicable. If this check fails, the user must select another size or model of respirator.
• 4.3 Fit Testing
  • Fit testing should be done every 2 years or whenever there is a change to the respirator user’s physical condition that could affect the fit of a respirator.
  • The respirator user will don the selected respirator and demonstrate to the fit tester that they are able to do a negative and positive User Seal Check as outlined in Appendix B or G.
  • The fit tester will conduct a Qualitative Fit Test as outlined in Appendix D or F. Irritant Smoke may not be used as a qualitative fit test for disposable N95 particulate respirators. Either bitter or sweet aerosol test solutions may be used for these respirators.
  • A respirator for which a user seal check and qualitative fit test cannot be completed successfully may not be worn.
  • The results of the fit testing are recorded on Form B.
  • In the case of students being fit tested for their placement in Health Care settings, they will be offered a “Fit Test Certificate” to show their placement employer they have been fit tested and what model and size of respirator they must use. See Appendix H: Fit Test Certificate.
    • Note: Qualitative fit testing may be performed by a qualified external agency, provided a CSA approved method is used and fit testing results are documented as outlined in this procedure.
• 4.4 Training
  • The supervisor must provide or arrange for respirator training prior to assigning a task requiring a respirator and subsequent refresher training every 2 years.
  • Training records must be kept on file.
  • Training must cover the following topics:
    • General information on respiratory hazards in the workplace and when and why a respirator must be used.
    • Limitations of a respirator.
    • How to care for and use a respirator, including how to perform user seal checks and when to change out respirator filters (if applicable).
• 4.5 Respirator Maintenance (for non-disposable respirators)
  • 4.5.1 Filter or Cartridge Changes:
    • The service life of all filters or cartridges is dependent on the work environment; both the amount of substance in the air and other particulates that could clog the filters affect the service life.
    • Record the date a filter is put into service on the filter label and on the Respirator Activity Log (Form C).
    • Chemical cartridge filters shall be changed when the chemical can be detected through the mask by smell or taste, or after 8 hours of recorded use. If the cartridge has end-of-service-life indicators, the cartridge must be replaced when one of the indicators match the colour standard on the cartridge.
    • Particulate (HEPA) filters (for Type I and II Asbestos Removal) should be replaced when breathing becomes difficult or after a maximum of 40 hours of recorded use. Note that these filters must be discarded as asbestos-waste.
  • 4.5.2 Cleaning and Sanitizing
    • Respirators must be cleaned after each use as described below.
      • Remove filters.
      • Disassemble the facepiece components as recommended by the manufacturer (See the “Operating & Instruction Manual” supplied with your respirator).
      • Discard and replace any defective parts.
      • Wash components in warm water with Quato-40 (see label for dilution directions) or other mild detergent.
      • A soft bristle brush may be used to remove dirt from the facepiece.
      • Rinse components thoroughly in clean warm water and dry with a clean lint-free cloth or air-dry.
      • Reassemble the facepiece.
      • Record the number of hours the cartridge or filter was used on your Respirator Activity Log (Form C).
  • 4.5.3 Storage
    • After the respirator is clean and dry, store in a re-sealable plastic bag in the original box or other container that will prevent the facepiece from distortion. If filters are not past their service life and will be used again, store them separately wrapped in plastic.
    • Do not expose respirator or filters to temperature extremes, moisture, dust or airborne chemicals.
    • Label the box or storage container with your name.
  • 4.5.4 Inspection
    • Before and after use, visually inspect all respirator components for damage or wear as recommended by the manufacturer.
    • When inspecting, particularly look for cracks, tears, stretching, stiffening or distortion of any of the elastomeric or rubber parts.
    • Do not use a respirator with damaged or worn components.
  • 4.5.5 Repairs
    • Replace worn or defective respirator components with original manufacturer’s replacement components, following the manufacturer’s “Operating & Instruction Manual” supplied with your respirator.
    • Report any worn or defective components to your supervisor.
    • Record any repairs done on your Respirator Activity Log (Form C).
    • After each repair, the respirator user must test for proper operation by doing a positive and negative user seal check (see Appendix B)

5. Related Documents and Links

• Appendix A: Respirator Clearance Letter
• Appendix B: Positive and Negative User Seal Check – Elastomeric
• Appendix C: MSDS for Irritant Smoke Tube
• Appendix D: Irritant Smoke Fit Test Protocol
• Appendix E: MSDS for Denatonium Benzoate (Bitrix)
• Appendix F: Bitter and Sweet Aerosol Fit Test Protocol
• Appendix G: Positive and Negative User Seal Check – N95 Respirator
• Appendix H: Fit Test Certificate
• Form A: Respirator User Screening Form
• Form B: Respirator Fit Testing
• Form C: Respirator Activity Log

6. References

• Canadian Standards Association – Z94.4-02 – Selection, Use and Care of Respirators
• Occupational Health & Safety Act –Ontario Regulation 278/05 – Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Buildings and Repair Operations