Respiratory protection - Essay Example

Respiratory protection ment of purpose The purpose of respiratory protectionis to protect the health and safety of employees who must work in atmospheres which may be contaminated with harmful substances. Specific policies and procedures are established to ensure that employees are provided with the necessary respiratory protection when working in hazardous air conditions. These policies and procedures are established in compliance with OSHA regulations requiring a respiratory protection program (29CFR 1910.134), and the respiratory protection requirements and medical surveillance requirements of the Asbestos Regulations for Construction Work (29CFR 1926.58). General principles Respiratory protection policies and procedures shall apply to all workers at the fiber-optic manufacturing plant in Moline (the Plant) while they fulfil their labour duties.

Respirators shall be provided by the Plant when such equipment is necessary to protect the health of the employee. The Plant shall provide the NIOSH-certified respirators which are applicable and suitable for the purpose intended. Each employee shall use the provided respiratory protection in accordance with instructions and training received. The employees shall comply with these rules and procedures.DefinitionsAir-purifying respirator means a respirator with an air-purifying filter, cartridge, or canister that removes specific air contaminants by passing ambient air through the air-purifying element.

Atmosphere-supplying respirator means a respirator that supplies the respirator user with breathing air from a source independent of the ambient atmosphere, and includes supplied-air respirators (SARs) and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units. Emergency situation means any occurrence such as, but not limited to, equipment failure, rupture of containers, or failure of control equipment that may or does result in an uncontrolled significant release of an airborne contaminant. Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) means an atmosphere that poses an immediate threat to life, would cause irreversible adverse health effects, or would impair an individual's ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere.

Powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) means an air-purifying respirator that uses a blower to force the ambient air through air-purifying elements to the inlet covering. Supplied-air respirator (SAR) or airline respirator means an atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the source of breathing air is not designed to be carried by the user. ProceduresCleaning. The Plant shall provide each respirator user with a respirator that is clean, sanitary, and in good working order. Respirators shall be cleaned and disinfected as often as necessary to be maintained in a proper sanitary condition.

Inspecting. After cleaning a respirator, the entire respirator shall be carefully inspected. All damaged or missing parts shall be replaced. The respirator shall be discarded if any uncorrectable defect is present and the respirator cannot be repaired.Storage. All respirators shall be stored to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals.Selection. The selection of a proper respirator for a given situation shall consider nature of the hazard, period of time respirator used and the respirator characteristics, capabilities, and limitations.

When one cannot identify the employee exposure levels, the atmosphere shall be considered IDLH.Usage. A respirator may be used only after feasible engineering controls and work practices have been instituted to minimize employee exposure to hazardous substances. Sources1. Occupational Safety and Health Standards. Respiratory Protection. - 1910.134. Available at http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_documentp_table=STANDARDS&p_id=12716 2. Safety and Health Regulations for Construction. - 1926.

Available at http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owastand.display_standard_groupp_toc_level=1&p_part_number=1926