- Published: October 2, 2022
- Updated: October 2, 2022
- University / College: University of Portsmouth
- Level: Secondary School
- Language: English
- Downloads: 3
1. Permissible practice – Permissible practices include primary means to control occupational diseases caused by atmospheric contaminants by accepted engineering control measures and when these measures are not feasible, appropriate respirators shall be used. Employers are responsible for establishing and maintaining a respiratory protection program, which will cover all employee using respirators.
2. Respirator program -The employer needs to develop, implement and update written respirator program which will include specific worksite procedures and will be administered by trained programme administer to employees free of cost.
3. Selection of respirators – Employer must choose appropriate respirators for employees considering the hazards, workplace and user factors that affect respirator performance and reliability.
4. Medical evaluation – This needs to be conducted with the help of questionnaire or medical examination to determine the ability of the employee to use a respirator before the Fittest. Follow up medical test need to be advised to employees with an initial positive response to the questionnaire.
5. Fit testing – Employee must have fit test for any respirator with positive or negative pressure tight-fitting facepiece.
6. Use of respirators – Employers need to set the procedures for proper use of respirators and making sure that respirators continue to have effective operation throughout work shift.
7. Maintenance and care – Respirators are required to be cleaned and disinfected regularly to maintain sanitary conditions.
8. Breathing air quality and use – Employers should ensure that supplied breathing air to all the employees is of high purity minimizing moisture content and preventing contaminated air from entering into the air supply system.
9. Identification of filters, cartridges, and canisters – All of these must be labeled and color-coded with NIOSH approval label. And employers ensure that labels are legible and not removed anytime.
11. Program evaluation – Evaluation of respiratory program must be conducted to make sure of its implementation at the workplace and ensuring that employees use the respirators properly without any complaint.
12. Record Keeping – The employer must maintain the records of medical evaluations, fit tests and respirator program. It helps in assessing the adequacy of the programmes and can be made available to affected employees or to OSHA on demand for assessment.
