OSHA respiratory standards

No matter what type of respirator is used, it is of the utmost importance that the revised respiratory standard is adhered to. The revised standard stresses training, documentation, written programs, medical surveillance, fit testing, and a variety of other subjects pertinent to respirators. Of particular interest to the authors is the new approach toward action levels, protection factors, and fit testing. Another important change is OSHAs latest approach on voluntary respirator use. With the new standard in effect, those workers previously considered to be voluntarily wearing respirators should be much better protected. 

With the promulgation of the OSHA mandatory standards for exposure to cotton dust ( ), it is now assumed that prolonged exposure to cotton dust is a cause of chronic respiratory effects. Thus, there seems to have been a straightforward interpretation of complex and conflicting medical literature. This paper presents a review of the literature with emphasis on cause and effect relationship consistent with reported epidemiological data. 

Appendix E (page 351) has been revised. It now contains OSHA respirator requirements for 28 chemicals or hazardous substances that were identified in the preamble to the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). 

Section 4.3 consolidates the requirements for respirator training as found at 29CFR1910.134, the Occupational Safety and Healdi Administration s (OSHA) Respiratory Protection Standard, including the requirement that each employee can demonstrate sufficient knowledge of respirators. This section also covers the requirements for retraining employees on basic aspects of respirator use such as proper respirator fit, respirator limits, how to inspect, clean, and store respirators, etc. 

Supplied-air respirators are effective protection against a wide range of air contaminants (gases, vapors, and particulates) and can be used where oxygen-deficient atmospheres are present. Where concentrations of air contaminants could be immediately dangerous to life, such respirators can be used provided (1) the protection factor of the respirator is not exceeded and (2) the provisions of OSHA s Respiratory Standard (which indicates the need for a safety harness and an escape system in case of compressor failure) are not violated. 

Occupational exposure to chromium(VI) compounds has been related to an increased risk of lung cancer. Several hexavalent compounds of chromium, including chromium trioxide, are hsted in lARC Group 1 ("carcinogenic to humans") and are classified as "select carcinogens" under the criteria of the OSHA Laboratory Standard. Long-term exposure to chromium trioxide or chromium(VI) salts may cause ulceration of the respiratory system and skin. Exposure to chromium trioxide by inhalation or skin contact may lead to sensitization. Chromium trioxide has exhibited teratogenic activity in animal tests. 

Toxicity Ethylene oxide is a severe irritant to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract and exhibits moderate acute toxicity by all routes of exposure. Symptoms of overexposure by inhalation may be delayed and can include nausea, vomiting, headache, drowsiness, and difficulty breathing. Ethylene oxide can cause serious bums to the skin, which may only appear after a delay of 1 to 5 hours. This substance may also be absorbed through the skin to cause the systemic effects listed above. Eye contact can result in severe bums. Ethylene oxide is not considered to have adequate warning properties. Ethylene oxide is listed by lARC in Group 2A ("probable human carcinogen") and is classified as a "select carcinogen" under the criteria of the OSHA Laboratory Standard. There is some evidence from animal studies that ethylene oxide may be a developmental and reproductive toxin in both males and females. Exposure to this substance may lead to sensitization. 

A study, conducted under actual conditions of use in the workplace, that measures the protection provided by a properly selected, fit-tested, and functioning respirator, when the respirator is worn correctly and used as part of a comprehensive respirator program that is in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134. Measurements of Co and Ci are obtained only while the respirator is being worn during performance of normal work tasks (i.e., samples are not collected when the respirator is not being worn). As the degree of protection afforded by the respirator increases, the WPF increases. 

For more information, see the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard http //wivw.osha. gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show documentlp id=12716 p table=standards (accessed January 26,2010). 

Respiratory protection — If the right type of respirator is not being used, employees are not being adequately protected. In most cases, the standard requires that atmosphere-supplying respirators be used. An atmosphere-suppl3dng respirator provides your employee with a steady source of clean air. Respirator use must follow requirements in OSHA s standard on respiratory protection. 

Training requirements for respirator use are found in either the respiratory standard at 1910.134 or in the OSHA specific contaminants rules. If you are involved in construction operations involving an OSHA specific substance, your training program must be all inclusive, i.e., you must cover all training requirements in the respiratory rule and also the OSHA specific rule. 

OSHA often issues citations to employers who do not operate a suitable PPE program. One study investigated factors involved when companies received a citation for non-compliance with the OSHA respiratory protection standards. During the period from 1999 through 2006, OSHA inspectors issued 30,000 citations related to the respiratory protection standard. 

Overview of OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard (29CFR 1910.134)... 

Possible physiologic results of respiratory exposure to asbestos are mesothelioma of the pleura or peritoneum, interstitial fibrosis, asbestosis, pneumoconiosis, or respiratory cancer. The possible consequences of asbestos exposure are detailed in the NIOSH Criteria Document or in the OSHA Asbestos Standards 29 CFR 1910.1001 and 29 CFR 1926.1101 and 29 CFR 1915.1001. 

Before we examine the systems themselves, it is helpful to review the regulatory sections in OSHA and MSHA and explain the background of the standards. According to the OSHA Respiratory Protection Section, 1910.134(d)(1), air shall meet at least the requirements of the specifications for Grade D breathing air, as described in Compressed Gas Association Commodity Specification. Oxygen must never be used with air line respirators. 

OSHAs respiratory protection standard for general industry and construction is 29 (TER 1910.134. 

A. Overview of the company s respiratory protection program and OSHA s standard. 

On January 8, 1998, OSHA issued a final rule for respiratory protection. This final rule replaces the previous 29CFR1910.134 that was adopted by OSHA in 1971. Major changes to the respiratory standard include ... 

To fully cover the respiratory standard and to develop a conqirehensive written program, readers are urged to contact their local OSHA office, loss-control representative, or certified industrial hygienist for compliance assistance. The subject of respiratory protection is very broad and cannot be properly covered in the course of this book. This section was intended to provide basic highlights regarding respirators. 

Bailey, Melissa A. OSHA s Amended Respiratory Standard. Occupational Hazards. May 1998, pp. 21-23. 

Camplin, Jeffrey C. Understanding OSHA s New Respiratory Standard. Compliance Magazine May 1998, pp. 34-35. 

It is good practice to keep concentrations of airborne nickel in any chemical form as low as possible and certainly below the relevant standard. Local exhaust ventilation is the preferred method, particularly for powders, but personal respirator protection may be employed where necessary. In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) personal exposure limit (PEL) for all forms of nickel except nickel carbonyl is 1 mg/m. The ACGIH TLVs are respectively 1 mg/m for Ni metal, insoluble compounds, and fume and dust from nickel sulfide roasting, and 0.1 mg/m for soluble nickel compounds. The ACGIH is considering whether to lower the TLVs for all forms of nickel to 0.05 mg/m, based on nonmalignant respiratory effects in experimental animals. 

Current OSHA standards specify the threshold limit value (TLV) 8-h exposure to ammonia as 50 ppm (35 mg/m ). However, the ACGIH recommends a TLV of 25 ppm (96). Respiratory protection should be provided for workers exposed to ammonia. Protective clothing such as mbber aprons, boots, gloves, and goggles should be worn when handling ammonia. 

The General Industry Lead Standard imposes medieal program requirements when an employee has the potential to be exposed above an aetion level for more than 30 days. OSHAs three sets of tasks differ mainly in the level of respiratory proteetion required for workers oeeu-pationally exposed to lead [5]. 

Respirators are diseussed in 29 CFR 1910.134. The standard was reeently revised and is more eomprehensive by far than the older version of the standard. OSHA has plaeed a renewed emphasis on respiratory proteetion programs. As we diseuss this relatively new standard, we inelude some figures of respiratory proteetion eurrently available. 

The NIOSH IDLH is defined by the NIOSH-OSHA Standard Completions Program only for the purpose of respirator selection and represents a maximum concentration from which, in the event of respiratory failure, one could escape within 30 min without experiencing any escape-impairing or irreversible health. 

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (2007). (accessed 2007). Respiratory Protection Standard. 29 Code of Federal Regulations 1910.134. URL http //www.osha. gov/pis/oshaweb/owadisp.show document p table=STANDARDS p id=12716. 

In contrast to the documented effect of cotton dust on acute responses, the causation of chronic respiratory effects in occupationally exposed subjects has not been established. The OSHA cotton dust standard is based on the premise that sustained exposure may result in chronic respiratory problems. To test this hypothesis, the pertinent literature is reviewed and discussed in an attempt to decide if convincing epidemiological documentation exists to support a cause and effect connection between prolonged dust exposure and chronic respiratory impairment. There appears to be a need for additional studies to clarify this important aspect of occupational medicine. 

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