University of Maryland • Safety Fact Sheet • Department of Environmental Safety
Respiratory Protection
Introduction
A respirator is a personal protective device used to protect the wearer from inhalation of harmful levels of airborne contaminants. The use of respirators is acceptable only when engineering or work practice controls (e.g., local exhaust ventilation) are inadequate or not feasible, or while these controls are being designed or constructed. Respirators must be carefully selected, properly fitted, regularly inspected and cleaned, and repaired when broken. Wearers must be medically evaluated for respirator use and trained in the appropriate use, care, maintenance and limitations of respiratory protective devices. Work area environments must be periodically evaluated to determine the appropriate level of respiratory protection necessary.
Applicable University Policy
UM Respiratory Protection Program
Applicable Regulations
29 CFR 1910.134 - OSHA Respiratory Protection
Note: More specific respiratory protection requirements may be contained within substance-specific or operation-specific regulations (e.g., asbestos or lead
standards)
Summary of Requirements
- Respirator users shall be evaluated by a licensed health care professional to determine if they
are physically able to perform work while using a respirator.
- Respirators shall be selected based upon the contaminant hazards presented
to the wearer.
- Respirators shall be approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for the contaminant(s) and situation(s) to which the wearer will be exposed.
- All negative pressure respirators shall be fit-tested at least annually, and shall be fit-checked by the wearer before each use.
- Respirators shall be maintained and repaired in accordance with manufacturers' specifications. Storage shall be appropriate to protect against damage caused by dust, sunlight, temperature extremes, moisture, chemicals and physical/malformation conditions.
- Compressed air used for supplied air respirators shall comply with the air quality requirements for Grade D Breathable Air described in CGA Commodity Specification G-7.1-1989.
- The respiratory Protection Program shall be reviewed annually with modifications implemented as necessary.
- Supervisors of respirator users must complete all elements of the UM Respiratory Protection Program and maintain the written program at the worksite for employee review.
Training
Training shall be provided annually to all users of respiratory protective equipment to include:
- Selection of respirators;
- Inspection, maintenance, storage and cleaning of respirators;
- Respirator limitations and emergency procedures;
- Methods of donning, adjusting and fit-checking (hands-on);
- Respiratory hazards.
Recordkeeping
Written records shall be maintained for training, fit-testing, medical examinations and work area surveillance (monitoring) for at least 30 years following termination of employment for any individual wearing a respirator.
Written Program
A written program describing the selection and proper use of respirators shall be available in the facility. This program must be prepared by the supervisor of respirator users.
University Resources
Department of Environmental Safety (301) 405-3960
(exposure monitoring, training, fit-testing, work area surveillance, respirator selection)
DES Fax No. (301) 314-9294
University Health Center - Occupational Health (301) 314-8172
(medical surveillance)
Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (301) 405-7213
(SCBA training)
DES Web Site: http://www.des.umd.edu
Written 5/98
Revised 3/04
Reviewed 4/05
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