BLOCK 4: CHEMICAL CONTROLS - Unit 12: Respiratory Protection Program & Unit 13: Respirators (complete) Flashcards
Respirators are designed to cover the entrances to the respiratory system—the __________ and __________
NOSE and MOUTH
Any condition that poses an immediate threat to life, would cause irreversible adverse health effects, or would interfere with an individual’s ability to escape unaided from a contaminated area.
IMMEDIATELY DANGEROUS TO LIFE AND HEALTH (IDLH)
Any atmosphere that contains less than 19.5% oxygen.
OXYGEN DEFICIENT ATMOSPHERE
The transport of a chemical from the outer surface of the skin both into the
skin and into the body.
SKIN ABSORBTION
Studies show that absorption of chemicals through the skin can occur without being noticed by the worker and in some cases, may represent the most significate exposure pathway.
Characteristics of a chemical that allow a person to detect them with their senses. They include odor, eye irritation, and respiratory irritation.
WARNING PROPERTIES
Some chemicals have poor warning properties, while some have good warning properties.
Minimum concentration, as a percentage, of flammable gas or vapor mixed with air that can be ignited.
LOWER EXPLOSIVE LIMIT (LEL)
Workers should stay within 10% of the LEL. Think confined spaces.
Identifies how long a respirator cartridge can be used in the workplace before being replaced; they ensure the cartridge used does not become saturated and is able to remove the air contaminant.
CHANGE-OUT SCHEDULE
The level of respiratory protection expected to be provided by a properly functioning respirator.
ASSIGNED PROTECTION FACTOR
The minimum concentration at which a chemical can be detected by a person’s sense of smell.
ODOR THRESHOLD
Ammonia has a low OT, while Carbon Monoxide has a high OT.
A respirator with a filter, cartridge, or canister that removes specific air contaminants by passing ambient air through the air-purifying element. Because these respirators only remove contaminants from the air, they cannot be used in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere.
AIR-PURIFYING RESPIRATOR (APR)
The filtering elements lose their effectiveness over time. A change-out schedule may be recommended by BE.
Air purifying respirators can be one of two types: Negative-pressure and powered air purifying respirators (PAPR).
The image on the flipside is a half face negative pressure APR.
These types of respirators provide air either from a clean area or from compressed breathing air. Since these types of respirators do not rely on the ambient air, they may be used in an oxygen-deficient environment.
ATMOSPHERE-SUPPLYING RESPIRATORS
Atmosphere-supplying respirators can be one of two types: Airline or self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
Which CFR lays out the requirements of an RPP?
29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.134, Respiratory Protection
Which AFI lays out how the Air Force will execute the RP program to meet 29 CFR 1910.134 requirements?
AFI 48-137, Respiratory Protection Program
This listing provides the most current listing of approved respirators.
NIOSH Certified Equipment Listing
NIOSH tests each respirator configuration and provides a certification number. The NIOSH certification process is how we know the respirator will protect the worker. If a combination is not certified, we cannot recommend it to the worker.
BE should maintain copies of the ____________________ for all respirators and components of RP systems for reference. These documents include information on how to properly use and maintain the respirator.
MANUFACTURER’S LITERATURE
BE is the installation subject matter expert on the RP program. What are some of the things BE will do to support the RP Program?
- Provide a member to serve as the Installation RP Program administrator
- Determine when RP is required based on workplace hazards
- Work with RP purchasers to ensure procedures are in place to control the order and
issuing of respirators - Assist worksite supervisors, as necessary, in the preparation of the written worksitespecific procedures and annual training requirements
- Develop training for worksite supervisors and certify completion of training by the
supervisor - Review, recommend, and approve respirators for use in a shop
- Conduct industrial respirator and CBRN mask fit testing
- Authorize and evaluation units annually, other than BE, to conduct fit testing
- Manage respirator selection, rosters, and fit testing in DOEHRS
What is contained within 29 CFR 1910 Subpart Z - Toxic and Hazardous Substances?
SUBSTANCE-SPECIFIC STANDARDS (EXPANDED STANDARDS)
What are some of the things the supervisor, or unit administrator, will do to support the RP Program?
- Develop a written RP Program with worksite-specific procedures with the assistance of
BE - Review the written worksite-specific procedure and provide a copy to BE for approval
annually - Ensure workers adhere to the worksite-specific procedures
- Designate individuals responsible for use, maintenance, inspection, and care of
respirators - Notify BE with changes to the roster of RP users or if current workers have a change in
medical status that may affect the safe wear of a respirator - Maintain copies of fit test results for all personnel
- Develop training material and ensure workers are trained on the use of respirators in
their workplace - Regularly consult respirator users to assess program effectiveness
Workers also carry responsibility within the Respiratory Protection Program. Workers must:
- Adhere to the conditions of the written worksite-specific procedures
- Maintain filter use records to ensure compliance with the change-out schedule
included in the written worksite-specific procedures - Report any change in medical status, which may impact their ability to safely wear a
respirator, to their supervisor
TRUE OR FALSE:
BEs provide training for workplace use of respirators.
TRUE
This is one of the primary responsibilities of BE in the RPP.
With this type of respirator, air is drawn through the filtering element when the wearer inhales, creating a negative pressure inside the mask. When the wearer exhales, air is pushed out of the mask. A good seal on the face is required to ensure air only enters through the filtering element, not through breaks in the seal.
NEGATIVE PRESSURE AIR PURIFYING RESPIRATOR (APR)
Powered respirators; a battery is used to operate a pump and constantly draw air through the filtering element and into the worker’s breathing zone.
POWERED AIR PURIFYING RESPIRATOR (PAPR)
Respirator connected to a source of clean air by a breathing air hose. The source of breathing air may be an ambient air pump or a compressed air system. An ambient air pump moves air from a clean area, through the air hose, and into the respirator. Compressors pump ambient air into a compressed air system. The air hose connects to the compressed air through a pressure regulator, which allows the user to adjust the pressure provided to their respirator.
AIRLINE RESPIRATORS
A _______________ is not connected to a stationary source by an air hose. Instead, the wearer carries their source of air on their back. The wearer has an air tank on his or her back to supply oxygen. The wearer is free from the ambient atmosphere, and mobility is not restricted.
SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS (SCBA)
A limited supply of air imposes a time restriction on the number of minutes the SCBA is effective. The SCBA method is most often used in emergency situations (e.g., firefighting operations or to exit an area that has become highly toxic).
MAJOR COMPONENTS OF A RESPIRATOR
Makes a tight seal on an individual’s face, keeping contaminants out of the mask.
FACEPIECE
MAJOR COMPONENTS OF A RESPIRATOR
Designed to keep the respirator in place on an individual’s face.
HEAD STRAPS OR HEAD HARNESS
MAJOR COMPONENTS OF A RESPIRATOR
Designed to allow air out of the respirator but do not allow air in.
EXHALATION VALVES
MAJOR COMPONENTS OF A RESPIRATOR
Designed to prevent exhaled air from adversely affecting filters, cartridges, and canisters, while allowing air to pass through when inhaling.
INHALATION VALVES
MAJOR COMPONENTS OF A RESPIRATOR
Designed to remove contaminants from the air.
AIR-PURIFYING ELEMENT
Filters remove particulates and cartridges remove compatible gasses and vapors. Combination filter/cartridges do both.
Respiratory protection is required when any of the following conditions appear:
- Other means of controls do not reduce exposure below the OEL.
- Other means of controls are not feasible (this may include use during intermittent,nonroutine operations).
- Use is specified by an OSHA standard or Air Force Directive.
- While permanent controls are awaiting funding, or being designed or installed.
- Exposures could potentially be greater than an OEL, as determined by BE.
- Emergency situations require the use of respiratory protection.
OSHA allows for the voluntary use of respirators as long as the employer has determined that the use of the respirator does not create a hazard for the worker. The Air Force is more stringent when it comes to this. The only devices that the Air Force allows for voluntary use are known as ____________________.
FILTERING FACEPIECE DEVICES (FFPD)
These devices are commonly referred to as dust masks.
These filters can be made from non-woven fiber materials, compressed natural wood, or
synthetic fiber and will protect against aerosols such as dusts, mists, fumes, and other particulate matter, but do not protect against gases or vapors. They may not be used in
oxygen deficient atmospheres or in an area designated as IDLH.
PARTICULATE FILTERS
_______________, shown here, protect against gases and vapors. They differ from particulate filters in that they use porous materials called sorbents (generally carbon) that interact with the gas or vapor to purify the air.
CHEMICAL CARTRIDGES (in this pic, Organic Vapor Cartridge)
Cartridges which combine a particulate filter with a
chemical cartridge.
COMBINATION CARTRIDGES
What are some advantages of Air Purifying Respirators?
- A lightweight respirator
- Can be worn in tight spaces
- Can be worn for long periods of time
What are some disadvantages of Air Purifying Respirators?
- Cannot be worn in an IDLH atmosphere
- Cannot be worn in an oxygen deficient atmosphere
What are some advantages of Airline Respirators?
- Can be used to enter an IDLH atmosphere.
- Can be used to enter an oxygen deficient atmosphere.
- Can be used for long periods of time.
- Have a moderate initial cost and low operating costs.
What are some disadvantages of Airline Respirators?
- Not a lightweight respirator
- Movement is limited by hose length
- Hose may tangle or crimp
What are some advantages of a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus?
- Can be used in an IDLH atmosphere.
- Can be used for an oxygen-deficient atmosphere.
- Air supply carried with user allowing movement over an unlimited area.
What are some disadvantages of a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus?
- Not a lightweight respirator.
- Does not allow the wearer to go into tight spaces.
- Not intended for use over an extended period of time.
- Expensive to purchase and maintain.
“Air Force don’t care about cost though..” - MSgt Westbrook
TRUE OR FALSE:
Workers not over their recommended OEL can request to voluntarily wear an FFPD or half face APR.
FALSE
Only FFPDs can be voluntarily worn as long as the worker is informed that they are not designed to protect against potential hazards. Workers CANNOT opt to wear a half or full-face APR, which are only worn when required by a process.
TRUE OR FALSE:
One disadvantage of Airline Respirators is that the air supplied has to be tested every 6 months to ensure the air safe.
TRUE
This testing is usually done by Fire Protection.
Chemicals going through the skin is called what?
SKIN ABSORBTION (through the skin)
Only acceptable option for oxygen deficient or IDLH atmospheres is _______________.
ATMOSPHERE-SUPPLYING RESPIRATORS (need supplied oxygen or supplied air)
Regulated by OSHA, _______________ must be tested to ensure quality.
COMPRESSED AIR (for Airline Respirators every 6 months)
Designed to prevent inward leaking of contaminated air.
EXHALATION VALVES
Respirators are required when _______________.
OTHER MEANS OF CONTROLS DO NOT REDUCE EXPOSURE BELOW THE OEL
TRUE OR FALSE:
Filtering facepieces are the ONLY type of mask allowed by the AF for voluntary wear.
TRUE
Particulate filters DO NOT protect against _______________
a.) mists
b.) alpha/beta radiation
c.) gases/vapors
GASES/VAPORS
TRUE OR FALSE:
Chemical cartridges MUST be matched to specific chemical hazards.
TRUE
