Respiratory Standard Protects Workers
�At some level, everything is considered a hazard,� said David Frazelle, Director of Regulatory Compliance for ADM/GROWMARK, Decatur, IL.
Frazelle was discussing OSHA�s revised Respiratory Protection Standard (effective April, 1998)at the National Grain & Feed Association (NGFA/www.ngfa.org)/Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS/www.geaps.com) safety, health, and environmental compliance seminar, held in Overland Park, KS, in July.
The standard (29 CFR 1910.134) is nearly 30 pages of regulations that apply to all industry, including agriculture, shipyards, marine terminals, longshoring, and construction.
The focus of the standard is to control or eliminate occupational diseases caused by breathing air contaminated with harmful substances.
It covers 14 main topics, starting with OSHA�s primary objective to prevent atmospheric contamination by engineering or administrative methods.
These topics range from the appointment of a program administrator, selection of respirators, worksite-specific procedures, fit testing, cleaning, maintenance, recordkeeping, and employee training.
The standard requires employers to establish and maintain a respiratory protection program to cover employees who could be exposed to a respiratory hazard that requires the use of a respirator.
Hazards Abound
When the concentration of airborne contaminates rises above the OSHA-mandated permissible exposure levels (PEL) listed in 29 CFR 1910.1000, respiratory protection is required.
PEL levels have been specifically established for many of the potential respiratory hazards the grain industry deal with such as: barley, oats, wheat dust, phosphine and ammonia. All other grains and grain products not specifically listed in the standard fall under the general nuisance dust standard and are refered to as Particulate Not Otherwise Regulated (PNOR).
PNOR includes dusts associated with corn, soybeans, and milo to name a few. Some employers may require the use of a respirator, at levels under the established OSHA PEL standards.
Before selecting a respirator, the employer must make a �reasonable estimate� of the respiratory hazards. The employer must identify and evaluate all respiratory hazards in the workplace.
This can be accomplished through monitoring, compiling of data or mathematical calculations.
Frazelle said a trained program administrator must be appointed who can develop and implement worksite-specific procedures based on the �reasonable estimates.�
The administrator can establish and implement procedures for the proper use of respirators and is accountable for implementation of the program.
If the hazard level cannot be determined or identified the atmosphere must be considered immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) and additional safety precautions must be implemented as set forth in the standard.
IDLH situations include those where the atmosphere is oxygen deficient or is above the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) established IDLH levels.
Selecting Respirators
Once the respiratory hazards have been identified, selection of respirators is based on the following:
� Choose respirators that are certified by (NIOSH) as being adequate to protect the user�s health under routine and reasonable conditions and are compliant with all other OSHA standards.
� Respirators must be appropriate for the chemical state and physical form of the contaminant.
� Employers also must maintain a schedule for regular replacement of canisters and cartridges.
� While wearing a respirator, anything that may prevent a tight seal between the face and face piece seal is forbidden, this can include facial hair, glasses or goggles.
Medical Evaluations
The employee must undergo a medical evaluation before being fit-tested or required to use a respirator on the job, Frazelle said.
The evaluation must be given during the employee�s normal working hours, in strict confidentiality, and must include an opportunity for the employee to ask questions and discuss the results with the medical provider.
The OSHA standard contains two pages of questions and subject matter that must be part of the evaluation process. The questions include specific personal medical history, such as whether or not the employee is a smoker and current health status.
The Physician or Licensed Health Care Professional (PLHCP) will also need to know the situations and conditions in which the employee may need to use the respirator: the nature of exposure hazards, the duration and frequency of use of a respirator, physical work level, temperature and humidity extremes, and protective clothing used.
It is up to the PLHCP to decide after reviewing the employee�s medical history, just what follow up medical tests are required in order to make judgement on the employees ability to safely wear the respirator.
Fit Testing
Once the medical evaluations are completed, all employees required to wear tight fitting respirators must be fit tested. Fit testing is done to insure that each employee has a good fit.
A fit test must be done for both tight fitting negative and positive pressure respirators. This must be done prior to initial use, and annually thereafter.
A �dust mask� now called a �filtering facepiece� is considered a �tight fitting� respirator. When a �filtering facepiece� type respirator is required, fit test must be done.
Testing must also be repeated when a different facepiece is being used, when something affects the fit (such as weight gain or loss on the wearer), and if the employee determines that the fit is no longer adequate.
OSHA has established two acceptable fit testing methods�qualitative (QLFT) or quantitative (QNFT) fit test.
QLFT methods rely on the judgement of the test subject. Under a controlled environment, one of four test solutions is administered following the OSHA protocol.
If the subject does not detect the taste of the test solution, during the exercises, the respirator has a proper fit.
QNFT methods rely on objective data to determine a proper fit.
Maintenance and Care
Respirators must be cleaned and disinfected regularly and maintained in a sanitary condition, Frazelle said, and must be stored properly to protect them from damage.
Those used on a routine basis must be inspected before each use and during cleaning.
�Emergency use� respirators are to be clearly labeled as such and stored in a separate location. These respirators must be inspected before and after each use and at least monthly, or according to the manufacturer�s recommendations.
�Nothing is more important than determining the level of air contaminates, and providing the right respirator,� Frazelle said.
�Each person has to know how and when to use respirators effectively therefore training is key, especially if their duties involve emergency response.�
Every employee must know:
� When and why respirators are necessary.
� The limitations of both the user and the equipment.
� How to properly maintain and store the equipment.
� How often to inspect respirators.
� How often retraining is required.
Frazelle said �it is critical to make sure your respiratory protection program is fully implemented and effective, the program should be totally reevaluated at least annually�.
Written by Coreen Stevick, associate editor
See Related Websites/Articles:
|
