Respirator Inspection

All respirators/SCBAs, available for both general use and permanent check-out, must be inspected after each use and at least monthly. Should any defects be noted, the respirator/SCBA shall be taken to the program administrator. Damaged respirators must be either repaired or replaced. Inspection of respirators loaned on permanent check-out status is the responsibility of the trained employee. Respirators shall be inspected as follows  

All respirators used in routine situations must be inspected before each use and during cleaning. 

All respirators maintained for use in emergency situations shall be inspected at least monthly and in accordance with the manufacturer s recommendations, and must be checked for proper function before and after each use. 

Emergency escape-only respirators shall be inspected before being carried into the workplace for use. 

Respirator inspections include the following a check of respirator function, tightness of connections, and the condition of the various parts including, but not limited to, the face piece, head straps, valves, connecting tube, cartridges, canisters, and filters. A check of elastomeric parts for pliability and signs of deterioration must also be performed. 

Self-contained breathing apparatus shall be inspected monthly. Air and oxygen cylinders must be maintained in a fully charged state and shall be recharged when the pressure falls to 90 percent of the manufacturer s recommended pressure level. The company must determine that the regulator and warning devices function properly. 

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Check and review quarterly all workcenter programs, including the workcenter respirator inspection record. 

Ensure inspection of cartridge-type respirators on a monthly basis and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and airline hose mask systems on a weekly and monthly basis. Ensure that records of respirator inspections are maintained. Ensure that employees are fit tested and receive initial and annual spirometric evaluation prior to using a respirator. 

Respirators should be inspected before and after each use, after cleaning, and whenever cartridges or cylinders are changed. Appropriate entries should be made in a respirator "Inspection After Each Use" record. 

Workcenter supervisors shall ensure that all cartridge-type respirators are inspected once per month and make appropriate entries in a "Supervisor s Monthly Respirator Inspection Checklist." The work center supervisor or designated person shall inspect all SCBA and airline respirators weekly and monthly, and make appropriate entries in a "SCBA/Airline... 

What is meant by a check of respirator function dealing with respirator inspection ... 

In order to ensure the continued reliability of respirator equipment, we inspect it on a regular basis. The frequency of inspection is related to the frequency of use. Respirator inspections are done at the following intervals ... 

For respirators maintained for emergency use, we certify the respirator by documenting the date the inspection was performed, the name (or signature) of the person who made the inspection, the findings, required remedial action, and a serial nrunber or other means of identifying the inspected respirator. This information is retained rmtil replaced by a subsequent certification. See the attached respirator inspection records. 

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