Respirator Flashcards
When are respirators needed?
- use only when engineering controls
- in an oxygen deficient atmosphere
- When chemical permissible exposure limits (PEL) are exceeded
- When required by a pesticide label
- in situations where air contamination is suspected, but levels are unknown (confined spaces, large, chemical spills, hazardous waste sites)
- When you require it by company policy
What is oxygen deficiency?
- oxygen deficiency can occur in confined or enclosed spaces, during fires or large chemical releases
- Normal air contains 21% oxygen
- an area with oxygen conte below 19.5% is considered oxygen deficient
- Only a supplied air, respirator can protect against the effects of oxygen deficiency
What are permissible exposure limits (PELs)?
- most chemicals and dust have limits in the air that will cause adverse health effects if exceeded
- if airborne levels cannot be reduced below these limits by other means, respirators must be provided to protect exposed employees
What are they types of respirators?
- Air purifying respirators
- Powered air purifying respirators
- Airline respirators
- Self contained, breathing apparatus (SCBA)
- Escape respirators
What are air purifying air respirators?
filters, air through cartridges or filtering face pieces (dust masks)
- traps air contaminants in a cartridge or filter when the wearer inhales
- Particulate respirators capture dust, mist, and welding fumes
- Chemical cartridge respirators capture gases, and vapors
What are the limitations of air purifying respirators?
- the right cartridge for the right contaminant
- Cartridges must be changed periodically
- Respirators provide protection up to 10 or 100 times the PEL. Cannot be
used beyond its rated protection factor - cannot be used in oxygen deficient
- Cannot be used for unknown concentrations
- Cannot be used for chemicals with poor warning properties
- Not adequate in major leak/spills or for certain highly toxic chemicals
- half face cartridge and dust mask operators only provide protection to level 10 times above the chemical or dust permissible limit known as assigned protection factors, (APF)
What are air purifying respirators?
filters, air through cartridges with assistance of a blower.
- an air purifying respirator that uses a blower to force the ambient air
through air purifying elements to the inlet covering
What are airline respirators?
provides unlimited, clean air from a compressor
- clean air comes from a compressor or tank and provides the highest
protection to user
*less air
What are self contained breathing apparatus’s (SCBA)?
provides 30 to 60 minutes of
clean air from a tank
- clean air comes from a compressor or tank and provides the highest
protection to user
*more air
When are supplied respirators required?
- oxygen deficiency
- High levels of toxic chemicals in the air – above “IDLH” levels
- Other conditions of high levels of highly toxic chemicals in the air
- Firefighting
What is the air quality for supplied respirators?
- air for tanks or from compressors must be grade D air
- Tank air is purchased from vendors
- compressor supply air for airline respirators
- Low pressure compressors may not provide adequate amount of air
What are plant air compressors?
- be careful – these do not provide clean air without a filter system
- Oil lubricated compressors are especially hazardous. You must test for carbon monoxide or have a high temperature alarm.
- locate air intake away from engine exhaust, which can contaminate
breathing air
What are escape respirators?
provides air for escape on a small bottle
-a respirator intended to be used only for emergency exit
-Can either be attached to airline respirator system or carried
What are assigned protection factors?
The number of times above the exposure limit for which a given respirator provides protection
Why/when are medical evaluations required for using an air respirator?
- must provide a medical evaluation to determine employees ability to use a respirator, before fit testing and use
- Annual review of medical status is not required