1. Respirator Awareness Training CFR 1910.134
Facilities Management
By: Chaizong Lor, Safety Coordinator
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

2. Respirator Awareness Training
Training Objectives:
Medical Qualification
Respirator Selection
Respirator Fit Testing
Respirator Maintenance
and Care
Training
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

3. Respirator Awareness Training
Medical Qualification
Before employees wear a respirator, they must be determined to be “medically qualified” by completion of the following requirements:
Medical
Evaluation
Before you can wear a respirator you must be “medically qualified.”
Medical
Questionnaire
Medical
Re-evaluation
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

4. Respirator Awareness Training
Medical
Evaluation
Employees must be examined by a qualified physician to determine if they can safely wear a respirator.
Some employees may have medical problems that prevent them from using a respirator.
Lung problems, previous exposures to hazards, some medications or physical deformities may disqualify them from using a respirator.
Medical evaluations are required for anyone wearing respirators.
Breathing through a respirator is work for the body.
Respirators can be hazardous to people with heart or lung problems.
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

5. Respirator Awareness Training
Medical
Questionnaire
The first step is a confidential medical questionnaire. It is used to evaluate personal health conditions. (See FM Respiratory Protection Program, Appendix A. Respirator Request Form)
Results are only used to determine if you are fit to wear a respirator. (See FM Respiratory Protection Program, Appendix C. Employee Respirator Medical Approval Form)
Note: Employees must be allowed to discuss the questionnaire with the physician
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

6. Respirator Awareness Training
Medical
Re-evaluation
Any signs & symptoms while using respirator.
Any change in work activity
Any health condition changes of employees
Employee reports medical signs & symptoms that are related to ability to use a respirator.
Supervisor feels that employee needs to be re-evaluated.
Follow-up medical exam for any positive response to questionnaire
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

7. Respirator Awareness Training
Respirator Selection
Evaluation of the workplace hazard to identifying the substance(s) and user factors that affect respirator performance.
Determine respiratory protection accordingly and match the respirator to the hazard.
Respirators are issued only by trained personnel who are aware of the correct selection.
evaluate respiratory hazards
identify relevant workplace and user factors
determine respiratory protection accordingly
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

8. Respirator Awareness Training
Respirator Fit-Testing
There are a variety of respirator models and styles, made to fit a variety of face shapes and sizes.
Fit testing is required for all personnel who are assigned to use a respirator.
Required Fit-Testing
Prior to
Fit-Testing
Fit-Testing
Fit Checks
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

9. Respirator Awareness Training
Allowed to try on several
types & sizes of
respirators
Prior to
Fit-Testing
Models & styles
of respirators
Position the respirator
under the chin
with the
nosepiece up.
Position the
Respirator
on face
Know how
to put on
respirator
Set strap tension
and determine
an acceptable fit
The respirator seal
should be checked
by using a negative and
positive pressure check
before each use.
Allowed to try on several types and sizes of respirators.
Know how to put on respirator
Know how to position the respirator on face
Know how to set strap tension and how to determine an acceptable fit.
Pull the top strap
over the head so it
rests high on
the back of head.
If air leaks at respirator edges,
adjust the straps back along
the side of the hand and test
again.
Pull the bottom strap
over the head and position
it around neck below ears.
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

10. Respirator Awareness Training
Fit Checks
Performed each time the respirator is worn, after donning & before entering the potentially hazardous working environment. Two types of Fit Checks:
Negative Pressure
Close off the inlet of the masks, cartridges, or filters by covering with the palm of the hands.
Inhale gently so that the face piece collapse slightly.
Positive Pressure
Close off the exhalation valve with the palm of the hand.
Exhale gently into the face piece.
Air
Inhaled in
Exhaled
out
positive pressure - cover exhalation valve, exhale, feel positive (outward) pressure. (In addition, Close off the exhalation valve and exhale gently into the facepiece)
negative pressure - cover inhalation valve, inhale, feel negative (suction) pressure. In addition, Close off the inlet opening of the canister or cartridge(s) by covering it with the palm of the hand(s) or by replacing the filter seal(s).
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

11. Respirator Awareness Training
Fit-Testing
Employees wearing respirators must be fit tested at least annually after the initial fit test to insure proper fit/protection.
The following two types of fit tests are OSHA approved:
Qualitative Fit Test (Irritant Smoke)
Quantitative Fit Test
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

12. Respirator Awareness Training
Qualitative Fit Test
Definition
A pass/fail means of testing that relies
on the subject’s sensory response
to detect the challenge agent:
Irritation = Irritant smoke
Taste = Saccharin
Smell = Banana oil
Disadvantages
Individual response
is different, wearer can
“fake” a good fit.
Advantages
Less expensive,
less operator
training
Note: FM Respirator
Policy uses the
“Qualitative Fit Test”.
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

13. Respirator Awareness Training
Quantitative Fit Test = Measures the amount of concentration or objective
Measures the effectiveness of a respirator seal in the ambient atmosphere.
Measures the particle concentration both outside and inside the mask.
The ratio is known as the fit factor
Advantages: Accurate, employees cannot “fake” it.
Disadvantages: Cost, operator training
Quantity = measure, amount (objective)
Quantitative fit testers such as the Portacount measure the concentration outside the mask and the concentration inside the mask and calculate a protection factor
Advantages: accurate, testee can’t “fake it”
Disadvantages: Cost, operator training
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

14. Respirator Awareness Training
Before each use, check the Air-Purifying Respirators (APR)
Check the cartridges to ensure they are approved for the hazard that will be exposed to.
Visually inspect the respirator to ensure there are no missing or broken parts.
Check to ensure the respirator is clean.
Perform Fit Checks.
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

15. Respirator Awareness Training
Respirator Maintenance & Care
Employees maintenance
and care of respirator
shall include:
Monthly
Inspection
Cleaning
and
Disinfecting
Repair
Storage
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

16. Respirator Awareness Training
Monthly
Inspection
Inspect all parts for defects, deterioration and cracks, tears, and holes
Inspect the valves for holes, warping, cracks, and dirt.
Inspect hoods, helmets, and face shields for cracks, tears, and distortions.
Visually inspect the area between the cartridge and the face piece to make sure the cartridge is seated correctly.
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

17. Respirator Awareness Training
Removal of Respirator Properly
Remove your contaminated gloves first
If the respirator is contaminated, decontaminate the respirator or put new clean gloves on before removing your respirator
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

18. Respirator Awareness Training
Cleaning and Disinfecting
Reassemble the
respirator
Disassemble
respirator
Disassemble respirator,
removing any filters,
and cartridges.
Reassemble the
Respirator & replace
any defective parts.
Step 6
Step 1
Air dry in a
clean area
Step 5
Wash face pieces &
associated parts FM
Step 2
The clean area shall
have air to dry
the respirator.
Wash the face
piece & associated
parts in a mild detergent
with warm water.
Step 4
Step 3
Wipe the
respirator
The parts are
rinsed
Rinse completely all parts in clean warm water and allow to air-dry.
Wipe the respirator with disinfectant
wipes (70% Isopropyl Alcohol) to kill germs.
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

19. Respirator Awareness Training
Respirator Repair
Respirator users should ensure their equipment is working properly
If respirator repair cannot be made and a respirator is needed, a temporary replacement with the same model and size, and a new respirator shall be issued.
Exchange of parts from one brand to another is “NOT ALLOWED”.
Use only cartridge, filters, and replacement parts specified from each respirator.
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

20. Respirator Awareness Training
Storage
Store all clean respirator in a plastic bag and place in a proper storage cabinet in a non-hazard area.
All respirator shall be kept accessible to the work area.
A. Ensure that respirators are stored carefully, in order to protect them from dust, harmful chemicals, sunlight, excessive heat or cold, and moisture. Effective storage measures include:
Zippered plastic bags.
Plastic containers with tight-fitting lids, such as freezer containers.
Cans and jars with tight fitting lids.
B. Pack or store the respirator so that the face piece and exhalation valves will rest in a normal position. Do not hang the respirator by its straps. Careful placement will ensure that proper function is not be impaired by distortion of the respirator or its straps.
C. Emergency use respirators should be stored where they are easily accessible. Their location should be clearly marked.
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

21. Respirator Awareness Training
N95 Particulate Respirator
The "N" stands for respirator filters that can be used when no oil is present in the contaminants
The "95" means that the product has been tested and certified by NIOSH to have a filter efficiency level of 95% or greater against particulate aerosols
Note: According to FM Respirator Policy, it is not required to have medical evaluation when employee uses N95 Particulate Respirator.
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

22. Respirator Awareness Training
Proper Use N95 Particulate Respirator
Step 1
Slightly stretch the two straps and cup the face piece in your hand with the nosepiece at finger tips, allowing the headbands to hang freely below hands.
Step 2
Position the face piece under your chin with the nosepiece up.
Step 3
Pull the top strap over your head so it rests high on the back of the head.
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

23. Respirator Awareness Training
Proper Use N95 Particulate Respirator
Step 4
Pull the bottom strap over your head and position it around neck below ears.
Step 5
Using two hands, mold the nosepiece to the shape of your nose by pushing inward while moving fingertips down both sides of the nosepiece. Pinching the nosepiece using one hand may result in less effective performance.
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

24. Respirator Awareness Training
Removal of the N95 Respirator
Step 1 - Cup the respirator in you hand to maintain position on face. Pull bottom strap over head.
Step 2 - Still holding respirator in position, pull top strap over head.
Step 3 - Remove respirator from face and discard.
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

25. Respirator Awareness Training
Each employee designated to wear a respirator must receive training at least annually.
Know how to inspect, put on, remove, use, and check the seals of the respirator.
Know the procedures for maintenance and storage of the respirator.
Recognize the medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators.
UW-Eau Claire
Facilities Management

26. ?? Any Questions (http://www.uwec.edu/facmgt/safety/traininglist.htm)
Please visit FM Website (
for additional information.
Revision Dated: October 15th, 2013