HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 689 HS - SELECTION, USE, AND CARE OF RESPIRATORS-1- PR.689.HS
TITLE:
PROCEDURE PR.689.HS
SELECTION, USE, AND CARE OF RESPIRATORS
Date issued: 20 November 2018
Last revised:
Authorization: Senior Staff: (20 November 2018)
1.0 OBJECTIVE
To set out a process for ensuring the health and safety of Ottawa-Carleton District School
Board (OCDSB) workers who require respiratory protection during the performance of their
work.
2.0 DEFINITIONS
In this procedure,
2.1 Assigned Protection Factor (APF) means the workplace level of respiratory protection
that a respirator or class of respirators is expected to provide to users.
2.2 Bioaerosol means a suspension of airborne particles that contain living organisms or
were released from living organisms.
2.3 Escape Respirator refers to a single use respirator capable of providing a person,
working in a normally safe environment with sufficient time to escape from suddenly
occurring respiratory hazards.
2.4 Filtering Facepiece Respirator means a NIOSH-certified, negative pressure,
particulate respirator with a filter as an integral part of the facepiece or with the entire
facepiece composed of the filtering medium. It is different from other respirators
because the filtering media itself is the mask. Negative pressure means that the flow of
air through the filter is achieved via inhalation. This type of respirators is commonly
used for protection against dusts.
2.5 Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) means an atmosphere that poses an
immediate threat to life, or that will cause irreversible adverse health effects or impair an
individual’s ability to escape.
2.6 Maximum Use Concentration (MUC) means the maximum atmospheric concentration
of a hazardous substance from which an employee can expect to be protected when
wearing a respirator, and is determined by the Assigned Protection Factor (APF) of the
respirator and the exposure limit of the hazardous substance.
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2.7 Oxygen Deficient Atmosphere is an atmosphere containing a concentration of oxygen
less than 19.5%.
2.8 Qualified Person means an individual who possesses the knowledge, experience, and
training to fulfill the competencies of the role(s) defined in this procedure.
2.9 Respirator User means a worker who is required by the employer, in the course of their
employment, to wear a respirator.
2.10 Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) means the acceptable average exposure without
protection over a short period of time, usually 15 minutes, as long as the time -weighted
average is not exceeded.
2.11 Supervisor means a person who has charge of a workplace or authority over a worker.
2.12 Worker means any of the following:
a) a person who performs work or supplies services for monetary compensation;
b) a secondary school student who performs work or supplies services for no
monetary compensation under a work experience program authorized by the
school board that operates the school in which the student is enrolled;
c) a person who performs work or supplies services for no monetary compensation
under a program approved by a college of applied arts and technology, university
or other post-secondary institution;
d) a person who receives training from an employer, but who, under
the Employment Standards Act, 2000, is not an employee for the purposes of
that Act because the conditions set out in subsection 1 (2) of that Act have been
met; or
e) such other persons as may be prescribed under the Ontario Occupational Health
and Safety Act, who perform work or supply services to an employer for no
monetary compensation.
3.0 RESPONSIBILITY
3.1 Supervisor, Occupational Health and Safety Division (OH&S) will:
a) maintain and update this procedure, in consultation with the Joint Health and
Safety Committee (JHSC) as necessary, at least every three years;
b) ensure periodic, formal evaluations of the respiratory protection program are
conducted to ensure effectiveness;
c) provide support for conducting hazard assessments for respiratory protection;
d) retain hazard assessment records;
e) provide a means for recording training and fit-test records; and
f) provide support for monitoring, sampling, and/or measuring airborne
contaminants.
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3.2 Supervisors will:
a) consult with the OH&S Division to assist with hazard assessments prior to
assigning workers to perform work using respirators;
b) submit completed hazard assessments to the OH&S Division for retention;
c) consult with the OH&S division, where necessary, to assist with the selection of
an appropriate respirator for a worker under th eir supervision (conduct hazard
assessment);
d) notify the Supervisor, OH&S of any incident where the use of a respirator could
have prevented or contributed to an incident or injury;
e) ensure that training, screening and fit-test records are retained for each worker
issued a respirator;
f) monitor respirator use to ensure that the requirements of this procedure are
being met; and ensure that any worker under their supervision using a respirator
in the workplace:
i. completes a Respirator User Screening Form (Appendix A) before being
fit-tested for a respirator;
ii. is fit-tested to wear the specific make, model and size before issuing the
respirator;
iii. has received training as outlined in this procedure before wearing a
respirator in the workplace;
iv. demonstrates competency in using the respirator; and
v. uses, maintains, cleans and stores the respirator in accordance with this
procedure, the manufacturer’s instructions, training, and safe work
procedures; and
g) consider requests for accommodations that are submitted by workers based on
creed or other grounds protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code, and
consult with the OH&S division and other staff as required per Procedure
PR.667.HR Religious or Creed-based Accommodations for Employees.
3.3 Workers who are required by the employer in the course of their employment to wear a
respirator will:
a) participate in respiratory protection training as required;
b) complete a Respirator User Screening Form (Appendix A) before being fit-tested
for a respirator;
c) use a respirator as prescribed by this procedure;
d) wear, maintain, store and care for respirators as prescribed by this procedure;
e) report any condition that may impair their ability to safely use a respirator;
f) ensure that no object or material interferes with the seal or operation of a
respirator, including facial hair;
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g) check that the respirator is clean and in good operating condition prior to each
use and at intervals that will ensure that it continues to operate effectively;
h) perform a positive and negative seal check after each donning of a respirator
(Appendix B);
i) remove any potentially defective respirator from service and report it to the
supervisor immediately;
j) only use or wear a make/model/size respirator fo r which they have been fit-tested
and authorized to use or wear; and
k) advise their immediate supervisor of any accommodations that may be required
based on creed or any other protected ground in the Ontario Human Rights
Code, and cooperate in the provision of those accommodations .
3.4 Respirator Fit Testers will:
a) conduct fit tests in accordance with CSA Standard Z94.4 Selection, Use and
Care of Respirators.
4.0 PROCEDURE
General
4.1 Only respirators approved by National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) are permitted for use at the OCDSB.
4.2 Respirators will only be used where required by regulation, OCDSB safe work
procedures, or where engineering and administrative controls are impractical or
impossible to implement to reduce exposure to contaminants to an acceptable level.
4.3 Respirators must be used where prescribed based on the hazard(s) present regardless
of the department or job class. Respirators may be required for any worker, including
operations and maintenance personnel, teachers, or support staff.
4.4 Where an employee may come in contact with asbestos in the course of their duties,
respirators shall be used in accordance with Procedure PR.619.HS Asbestos
Management.
4.5 OCDSB workers will not:
a) perform work requiring them to use Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA);
b) rely on a respirator for protection in an atmosphere that is immediately
dangerous to life and health; or
c) perform work in an area likely to develop an oxygen deficient atmosphere.
Hazard Assessment (General)
4.6 In all circumstances where there is reason to believe that a worker will be exposed to
airborne hazards in their work environment, a hazard assessment (Appendix C) must be
conducted by, or in consultation with a Qualified Person, in accordance with the
following guidelines:
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a) A single hazard assessment may be conducted for similar work being p erformed
in similar conditions at different locations.
b) A hazard assessment determines the nature of the hazard as it determines:
i. the contaminants present;
ii. the physical state of airborne contaminants;
iii. whether the atmosphere is potentially oxygen deficient;
iv. relevant exposure limits for the airborne contaminants;
v. whether the atmosphere is immediately dangerous to life or health;
vi. whether the respirator use is required by a regulation;
vii. whether oil is present;
viii. whether the contaminant can be absorbed through or is irritating to the
skin or eyes; and
ix. measures, or estimates the concentration of airborne contaminants.
4.7 Records of hazard assessments shall be maintained by the Occupational Health and
Safety Division to document the initial and ongoing need for respirators.
Hazard Assessment for Bioaerosol Protection
4.8 Hazard assessments for bioaerosols must be conducted in consultation with the OH&S
Division and in accordance with CSA Standard Z94.4 Selection, Use and Care of
Respirators.
Respirator Selection
4.9 Where it has been determined that a respirator is required to be worn, the selection of
the respirator must be done in consultation with a Qualified Person and in accordance
with the steps outlined in “Flow Chart for Respirators Selection Process” at Appendix D.
4.10 Types of respirators used by OCDSB workers include:
a) Supplied air (pressure-demand or continuous flow); or
b) Powered and non-powered air-purifying respirators:
i. Gas and vapour-removing;
ii. Particulate-removing; and
iii. Gas, vapour and particulate-removing.
4.11 Respirators for protecting against asbestos hazards shall be selected in accordance
with Table 4 in Appendix E (Respirator Selection Tables) and Regulation 278/05:
Designated Substance – Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Buildings and Repair
Operations.
4.12 The selection of the appropriate respirators for the hazards identified and evaluated
shall be documented and submitted to the Occupational Health and Safety Division for
retention. Should the respiratory hazards change, the respirator selection process shall
be repeated and documented.
Selection of Escape Respirators
4.13 Designated escape respirators must only be used to exit a contaminated atmosphere.
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4.14 Air-purifying respirators with particulate filters or chemical cartridges are approved for
escape from atmospheres containing specific contaminants in concentrations that are
not immediately dangerous to life or health and oxygen content of at least 19.5% by
volume. This includes half and full facepiece respirators that are routinely used in many
work environments. Mouthpiece-type cartridge respirators are approved for escape
only.
4.15 Selection of escape respirators does not rely on Assigned Protection Factors (APF), like
the respirators required for regular work activities. Instead, escape respirators are
selected based on a consideration of the time needed to escape, and the likelihood of
IDLH or oxygen deficiency conditions.
4.16 For escape respirators, it is critical to determine the potential for generation of a
hazardous condition caused by an accident or equipment failure.
Training
4.17 Supervisors and Respirator Users will receive instruction and training, which includes:
a) their roles and responsibilities under this procedure;
b) respiratory hazards encountered in the workplace, their potential health effects
on the worker, and the means to control them;
c) the rationale for the respirators selected and where to find more information
about them;
d) limitations of the respirator;
e) procedures to follow in case of emergency; and
f) care and practical use, including:
i. donning and doffing (avoiding contamination) and, where required, redonning
of respirators;
ii. user seal checks;
iii. care;
iv. cleaning;
v. inspection;
vi. end-of-service recognition;
vii. change-out of filter elements;
viii. identification of problems;
ix. use under failure or emergency modes;
x. storage;
xi. removal from Service;
xii. basic Maintenance; and
xiii. familiarity with, and adherence to manufacturer’s instructions.
4.18 Training materials and content must be developed in consultation with the OH&S
Division.
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4.19 Training will be provided by Qualified Persons with a practical understanding of this
procedure and the roles, responsibilities and requirements within.
4.20 Supervisors will maintain training records, including the following:
a) the name and E.I.N. of the respirator user;
b) the date training was completed;
c) the name of the trainer; and
d) the results of fit testing, including the make, model, and size of respirator
assigned to each worker.
4.21 The training record will be retained for the duration of employment of the respirator user.
Respirator Fit Testing
4.22 A fit test shall be carried out:
a) after completion of user screening;
b) after or during training;
c) prior to initial use of a respirator;
d) when changes to a user’s physical condition (e.g., significant weight change or
changes to facial or dental features) could affect the respirator’s fit;
e) when there is a change in the respirator (e.g., make, model, size);
f) when a respirator user experiences continued significant discomfort during use or
difficulty in completing a successful user seal check;
g) when there is a change in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use that could
affect the respirator; and
h) at least every 2 years.
4.23 Individuals will present themselves for fit testing free from interference of hair where the
respirator seals to the skin of the face or neck.
4.24 Individuals will present themselves for fit testing in the same personal condition they
would expect to be in when using the respirator. This includes hair styles (e.g., hair
buns) and wearing or not wearing dentures, eyeglasses, or contact lenses.
4.25 Individuals will present themselves for fit testing in such a way that personal accessory
such as head coverings, garments, facial jewelry, or other items shall not come between
the skin and the sealing surface of the respirator.
4.26 Fit test records will be retained for respirator users for the duration of employment of the
respirator user and will meet all the following requirements:
a) the name of the person tested;
b) the date of the tests;
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c) the specific make, model, and size of respirator;
d) the type of fit test and test agent used;
e) pass/fail criteria for the fit test;
f) a list of additional PPE worn during the fit test;
g) notes on restrictions related to facial hair, use of dentures and corrective
eyewear, or any particular fitting difficulties such as unusual facial features or use
of facial jewelry or cosmetics;
h) the name of the person conducting the fit test; and
i) documentation of the individual user’s competency and corresponding fit test
results.
Use of Respirators
4.27 Respirators requiring a tight fit in order to perform effectively must not be worn when an
effective seal to the face or neck of the person cannot be achieved and maintained.
4.28 When using tight-fitting respirators, persons must wear or not wear dentures according
to the conditions under which a successful fit test was obtained.
4.29 Temples on eyeglasses or any other materials such as hair, cloth, tissue, straps, or
jewelry must not come between the skin and the sealing surface of the facepiece or
interfere with the operation of the respirator.
4.30 Particulate filters (N, P, and R filters) must be replaced when breathing becomes difficult
or as recommended by the manufacturer. In the case of Powered Air-Purifying
Respirators (PAPRs), particulate filters must be replaced when the air flow does not
meet the manufacturer’s requirements.
4.31 If used in atmospheres where oil is present, “R” rated particulate filters must be
replaced after 8 hours of use.
4.32 Gas/vapour-removing cartridges or canisters equipped with an end-of-service-life
indicator must be replaced when the indicator dictates.
4.33 Gas/vapour-removing cartridges or canisters not equipped with an end-of-service-life
indicator must be replaced based on an established procedure or schedule that ensures
that the cartridge is changed before the service life has ended. Consult the
manufacturer’s instructions and/or the OH&S Division for assistance.
Cleaning and Sanitizing
4.34 Respirators must be cleaned and sanitized (Appendix G). Respirators designed not to
be cleaned must be discarded after use.
Inspection
4.35 Users must inspect their respirators before and after each use, including:
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a) condition of component parts (e.g., facepiece, helmet, hood, suit, head harness,
valves, connecting tubes, harness assemblies, filters, cartridges, canisters,
cylinders);
b) tightness of connections;
c) end-of-service-life indicator (if available);
d) shelf-life dates; and
e) proper functioning of regulators, alarms, and other warning systems.
4.36 Any respirator that does not pass the inspection must be removed from service
immediately.
Storage
4.37 Respirators must be stored in a manner that will protect them against dust, ozone,
sunlight, heat, extreme cold, excessive moisture, vermin, damaging chemicals, oils,
greases, or any other potential hazard that can have a detrimental effect on the
respirator.
4.38 Respirators must be stored in a manner that will prevent deformation of rubber or other
elastomeric parts.
4.39 Respirators must be stored in sealed plastic bags and placed in a location where they
are unlikely to be inadvertently disturbed or damaged, such as a locker or rigid storage
bin.
Health Surveillance
4.40 Prior to fit testing and respirator use, the supervisor will ensure that a Respirator User
Screening Form (Appendix A) is completed that confirms that individuals are free from
any physiological or psychological condition that could preclude them from using the
selected respirator. All health information will be treated as medically confidential.
4.41 Where the supervisor or respirator user is concerned that a physiological or
psychological condition exists that could preclude the use of a respirator, an opinion
from a health care professional must be obtained regarding that person’s ability to use a
respirator (Appendix A).
a) This opinion must be obtained before the person is permitted to use a respirator
or if a change in conditions warrants an additional opinion.
b) The written opinion shall indicate whether the user:
i. meets medical requirements;
ii. meets medical requirements with limitations; or
iii. does not meet medical requirements to use the selected respirator.
Program Evaluation
4.42 The Occupational Health and Safety Division will ensure that the respiratory protection
program is reviewed every two years including:
a) a review of program elements against regulatory requirements;
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b) identification of management processes, including the clear definition of roles
and responsibilities and adequate resources;
c) a review of documented program procedures;
d) examination of records to verify that documented procedures are being followed;
e) confirmation that workplace practices comply with program requirements;
f) documentation of performance problems and subsequent resolution or cor rective
action plans;
g) stakeholder input to verify worker acceptance (e.g., regarding comfort, ease of
breathing, fatigue, vision, mobility, job interference, utility);
h) proper selection, use, and maintenance of respirators;
i) effective training of all stakeholders as evidenced by ongoing demonstration of
competencies;
j) proper inspection of respirators; and
k) proper storage and maintenance of respirators.
5.0 APPENDICES
Appendix A – OCDSB 935 Respirator User Screening Form
Appendix B – User Seal Checks
Appendix C – OCDSB 936 Respiratory Protection Hazard Assessment Form
Appendix D – Flow Chart for Respirators Selection Process
Appendix E – Respirators Selection Tables
Appendix F – Guidelines for Values Calculation
Appendix G – Cleaning and Sanitizing Respirators
6.0 REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
Employment Standards Act, 2000
Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1990
Regulation 278/05: Designated Substance – Asbestos on Construction Projects and in
Buildings and Repair Operations
Infrastructure Health and Safety Association – Construction Health and Safety Manual
(Respiratory Protection)
Procedure PR.619.HS: Asbestos Management
Procedure PR.667.HR Religious or Creed-based Accommodations for Employees
Appendix B – User Seal Checks
1
Negative-pressure User Seal Check Using Tight-Fitting Elastomeric Facepiece
A negative-pressure user seal check can be conducted on air-purifying respirators and
atmosphere-supplying respirators equipped with tight-fitting facepiece.
This check can be difficult or impossible to conduct on respirators incorporating air-
purifying elements that do not allow the inhalation inlets to be temporarily sealed:
a) The user seal check consists of closing off the inlet opening(s) of the respirator
air-purifying elements so that upon inhalation, passage of air into the facepiece
will not occur. In the case of atmosphere-supplying respirators, the user seal
check consists of closing off the air supply hose.
b) To avoid possible disruption of the facial seal, a non-permeable, flexible plastic
wrap may be used to seal the air inlets instead of attempting to maintain a seal
with the hands.
c) The user shall inhale gently and hold a breath for at least 5 s. The facepiece will
collapse slightly on the face and shall remain collapsed while the breath is held.
d) During this period, the facepiece shall not be disturbed by the user attempting to
maintain a seal on the inlet opening of the air-purifying elements.
e) If the facepiece remains collapsed while a breath is being held, the user seal
check is successful.
f) If the facepiece does not remain collapsed while a breath is being held, the user
shall verify that obstructs the sealing surface, adjust the facepiece and harness,
and repeat the user seal check.
g) If the facepiece still does not remain collapsed while a breath is being held, then
the user shall remove the respirator, inspect the components for the cause of the
leakage, correct any problems discovered, or obtain a replacement respirator
and repeat the user seal check.
h) Users shall not use a respirator for which a user seal check cannot be completed
successfully.
Positive-pressure User Seal Check Using Tight-Fitting Elastomeric Facepieces
A positive-pressure user seal check can be conducted on respirators equipped with
tight-fitting facepiece that contain both inhalation and exhalation valves:
a) Don the respirator facepiece, closing off the exhalation valve or breathing tube,
or both, and exhaling gently. Note: For some respirators, the positive-pressure
user seal check requires that the exhalation valve cover be removed, then
replaced following completion of the user seal check.
b) During this period, the facepiece shall not be disturbed by the user attempting to
maintain a seal on the exhalation valve.
c) If a slight positive pressure can be maintained inside the facepiece without
detection of any outward leakage of air, the user seal check is successful.
d) If a slight positive pressure cannot be maintained inside the facepiece for 5 s, the
user shall verify that nothing obstructs the sealing surface, adjust the facepiece
and harness, and repeat the user seal check.
e) If a slight positive pressure still cannot be maintained inside the facepiece, the
user shall remove the respirator, inspect the components for the cause of the
leakage, correct any problems discovered, or obtain a replacement respirator
and repeat the user seal check.
f) Users shall not use a respirator for which a user seal check cannot be completed
successfully.
*The respirator is intended only for escape, if it shows the following message; “Error! Reference source not found”.
**Information on cartridges or canisters approved for use for classes of chemical or for specific gases or vapours can be found on the NIOSH
Certified Equipment List: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/cel/default.html
Solid or liquid aerosol
No Yes
Gas or vapour
No
A combination of
gas/vapour and
particulate
Yes
Appendix D: Flow Chart for Respirators Selection Process
(Reference: Procedure PR.689.HS Selection, Use, and Care of Respirators)
Above applicable
exposure limit
Below applicable
exposure limit
Calculate concentration of
airborne contaminants
No respirator
required End
Are conditions
immediately
dangerous to
life or health?
OCDSB workers don’t perform this
type of work
Yes
End
No
Is the
contaminant
an eye irritant?
No Yes
Full-faced or hooded
respirator required
Half-mask or
quarter mask
required
What is the
physical state
of the
contaminant?
Are oil
particles
present?
Start
Is the respirator intended for use during
normal work activities?*
Refer to escape
respirators
(where?!!)
Use a filter of any
series (i.e., N-, R-,
or P- series)
End
Use R- or P- series
if the filter is to be
used for only one
work shift.
Use only P- series
if the filter is to
be used for more
than one work
shift.
Use an air-purifying
chemical
cartridge/canister
respirator** (Table 2)
End
End
End
Use a respirator from
Table 3
End
Appendix E – Respirator Selection Tables
1
Table 1 Particulate Respirators
Assigned Protection Factor
(APF) Type of Respirator
5 Quarter mask respirator
10
Any air-purifying elastomeric half-mask respirator
equipped with appropriate type of particulate filter.
Appropriate filtering facepiece respirator.
Any air-purifying full facepiece respirator equipped with
appropriate type of particulate filter.
Any negative pressure (demand) supplied-air respirator
equipped with a half-mask.
25
Any powered air-purifying respirator equipped with a
hood or helmet and a high efficiency (HEPA) filter.
Any continuous flow supplied-air respirator equipped
with a hood or helmet.
50
Any air-purifying full facepiece respirator equipped with
N-100, R-100, or P-100 filter(s).
Any powered air-purifying respirator equipped with a
tight-fitting facepiece (half or full facepiece) and a high-
efficiency filter.
Any negative pressure (demand) supplied-air respirator
equipped with a full facepiece.
Any continuous flow supplied-air respirator equipped
with a tightfitting facepiece (half or full facepiece).
Any negative pressure (demand) self -contained
respirator equipped with a full facepiece.
1000 Any pressure-demand supplied-air respirator equipped
with a halfmask.
2000 Any pressure-demand supplied-air respirator equipped
with a full facepiece.
2
Table 2 Gas/Vapour Respirators
Assigned Protection Factor
(APF) Type of Respirator
10
Any air-purifying half mask respirator equipped with
appropriate gas/vapour cartridges.
Any negative pressure (demand) supplied-air respirator
equipped with a half mask.
25
Any powered air-purifying respirator with a loose-fitting
hood or helmet equipped with appropriate gas/vapour
cartridges.
Any continuous flow supplied-air respirator equipped
with a hood or helmet.
50
Any air-purifying full facepiece respirator equipped with
appropriate gas/vapour cartridges or gas mask
(canister respirator).
Any powered air-purifying respirator equipped with a
tight-fitting facepiece (half or full facepiece) and
appropriate gas/vapour cartridges or canisters.
Any negative pressure (demand) supplied-air respirator
equipped with a full facepiece.
Any continuous flow supplied-air respirator equipped
with a tight-fitting facepiece (half or full facepiece).
1000 Any pressure-demand supplied-air respirator equipped
with a half-mask.
2000 Any pressure-demand supplied-air respirator equipped
with a full facepiece.
3
Table 3 Gas/Vapour & Particulate Respirators
Assigned Protection Factor
(APF) Type of Respirator
10
Any air-purifying half-mask respirator equipped with
appropriate gas/vapor cartridges in combination with
appropriate type of particulate filter.
Any full facepiece respirator with appropriate gas/vapor
cartridges in combination with appropriate type of
particulate filter.
Any negative pressure (demand) supplied-air respirator
equipped with a half-mask
25
Any powered air-purifying respirator with a loose-fitting
hood or helmet that is equipped with an appropriate
gas/vapor cartridge in combination with a high
efficiency particulate filter.
Any continuous flow supplied-air respirator equipped
with a hood or helmet.
50
Any air-purifying full facepiece respirator equipped with
appropriate gas/vapor cartridges in combination with an
N-100, R-100 or P-100 filter or an appropriate canister
incorporating an N-100, P-100 or R-100 filter.
Any powered air-purifying respirator with a tight-fitting
facepiece (half or full facepiece) equipped with
appropriate gas/vapor cartridges in combination with a
high-efficiency filter or an appropriate canister
incorporating a high-efficiency filter.
Any negative pressure (demand) supplied-air respirator
equipped with a full facepiece.
Any continuous flow supplied-air respirator equipped
with a tight-fitting facepiece (half or full facepiece).
1000 Any pressure-demand supplied-air respirator equipped
with a half-mask.
2000 Any pressure-demand supplied-air respirator equipped
with a full facepiece.
4
Table 4 Respirator Selection for Work with Asbestos
Work Category Required respirator
Type 1 Operations
Worker requests that the employer provide a
respirator to be used by the worker, as described
in paragraph 12 of section 14 of Regulation
278/05.
Air purifying half-mask respirator with N-100, R-100 or P-100 particulate filter
Type 2 Operations
Work described in paragraph 1 of subsection 12
(3) of Regulation 278/05.
One of the following:
- Air purifying full-facepiece respirator with N-100, R-100 or P-100 particulate
filter
- Powered air purifying respirator equipped with a tight-fitting facepiece (half
or full-facepiece) and a high efficiency filter or N-100, P-100 or R-100
particulate filter
- Negative pressure (demand) supplied air respirator equipped with a full-
facepiece
- Continuous flow supplied air respirator equipped with a tight fitting
facepiece (half or full-facepiece)
Work described in paragraphs 2 to 7 and 9 to 11
of subsection 12 (3) of Regulation 278/05. Air purifying half-mask respirator with N-100, R-100 or P-100 particulate filter
5
Breaking, cutting, drilling, abrading, grinding, sanding or vibrating non-
friable material containing asbestos by means of power tools, if the
tool is attached to a dust collecting device equipped with a HEPA filter
as described in paragraph 8 of subsection 12 (3) of Regulation
278/05.
Material is not
wetted
One of the following:
- Air purifying full-facepiece respirator with N-
100, R-100 or P-100 particulate filter
- Powered air purifying respirator equipped
with a tight-fitting facepiece (half or full-
facepiece) and a high efficiency filter or N-
100, P-100 or R-100 particulate filter
- Negative pressure (demand) supplied air
respirator equipped with a full-facepiece
- Continuous flow supplied air respirator
equipped with a tight fitting facepiece (half or
full-facepiece)
Material is
wetted to control
spread of fibre
Air purifying half-mask respirator with N-100,
R-100 or P-100 particulate filter
Type 3 Operations
Breaking, cutting, drilling, abrading, grinding,
sanding or vibrating non-friable material
containing asbestos by means of power tools,
if the tool is not attached to a dust collecting
device equipped with a HEPA filter as
described in paragraph 5 of
subsection 12 (4) of Regulation 278/05.
Material is not
wetted Pressure demand supplied air respirator equipped with a half mask
Material is wetted
to control spread
of fibre
One of the following:
- Air purifying full-facepiece respirator with N-100, R-100 or
P-100 particulate filter
- Powered air purifying respirator equipped with a tight-
fitting facepiece (half or full-facepiece) and a high efficiency
filter or N-100, P-100 or R-100 particulate filter
- Negative pressure (demand) supplied air respirator
equipped with a full-facepiece
- Continuous flow supplied air respirator equipped with a
tight fitting facepiece (half or full-facepiece)
Work with friable material containing Material is not
wetted
Pressure demand supplied air respirator equipped with a full
facepiece
6
asbestos, as described in paragraphs 1 to 4
and 6 of subsection 12 (4) of Regulation
278/05.
Work with friable material, as described in
paragraphs 1 to 4 and 6 of subsection 12 (4)
of Regulation 278/05, that contains a type of
asbestos other than chrysotile.
Work with friable material, as described in
paragraphs 1 to 4 and 6 of subsection 12 (4)
of Regulation 278/05, that contains only
chrysotile asbestos
Material was
applied or
installed by
spraying, and is
wetted to control
spread of fibre
Pressure demand supplied air respirator equipped with a half mask
One of the following:
- Air purifying full-facepiece respirator with N-100, R-100 or
P-100 particulate filter
- Powered air purifying respirator equipped with a tight-
fitting facepiece (half or full-facepiece) and a high efficiency
filter or N-100, P-100 or R-100 particulate filter
- Negative pressure (demand) supplied air respirator
equipped with a full-facepiece
- Continuous flow supplied air respirator equipped with a
tight fitting facepiece (half or full-facepiece)
Work with friable material containing
asbestos, as
described in paragraphs 1 to 4 and 6 of
subsection 12 (4) of Regulation 278/05.
Material was not
applied or
installed by
spraying, and is
wetted to control
spread of fibre
One of the following:
- Air purifying full-facepiece respirator with N-100, R-100 or
P-100 particulate filter
- Powered air purifying respirator equipped with a tight-
fitting facepiece (half or full-facepiece) and a high efficiency
filter or N-100, P-100 or R-100 particulate filter
- Negative pressure (demand) supplied air respirator
equipped with a full-facepiece
- Continuous flow supplied air respirator equipped with a
tight fitting facepiece (half or full-facepiece)
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Appendix F – Guidelines for Values Calculation
1. The Assigned Protection Factor is determined by the type of respirator as indicated in
Appendix E.
2. The Maximum Use Concentration (MUC) is determined by the lesser of:
a) APF multiplied by the exposure limit;
b) The respirator manufacturer’s MUC for a hazardous substance (if any); or
c) The immediately dangerous to life or health concentration of the contaminant.
The MUC usually can be determined mathematically by multiplying the assigned
protection factor specified for a respirator by the exposure limi t, short-term exposure
limit, ceiling limit, peak limit, or any other exposure limit used for the hazardous
substance.
3. The Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) is determined by the Ministry of Labour.
4. The Time-Weighted Average (TWA) is determined by the Ministry of Labour.
Appendix G: Cleaning and Sanitizing Respirators
Respirators shall be cleaned as follows:
a) Remove filters, cartridges, or canisters. Disassemble facepieces by
removing speaking diaphragms, pressure-demand valve assemblies,
hoses, and any other components as recommended by the
manufacturer. Discard or repair any defective parts.
b) Wash components in warm [43° C (110°F) maximum] water with a mild
detergent or with a cleaner recommended by the manufacturer. A stiff
bristle (not wire) brush may be used to facilitate the removal of dirt.
c) Rinse components thoroughly in clean, warm [43° C (110°F)
maximum], preferably running water. Drain.
d) When the cleaner used does not contain a disinfecting agent,
respirator components should be immersed for 2 min in one of the
following:
i. hypochlorite solution (50 ppm of chlorine), made by adding
approximately 1 mL of laundry bleach (5 to 6% chlorine) to 1 L of
water at 43° C (110°F);
ii. aqueous solution of iodine (50 ppm of iodine), made by adding
approximately 0.8 mL of tincture of iodine (6 to 8 g ammonium or
potassium iodide/100 cc of 45% alcohol) to 1 L of water at 43° C
(110°F); or
iii. other commercially available cleansers of equivalent disinfectant
quality when used as directed, if their use is recommended or
approved by the respirator manufacturer.
e) Rinse components thoroughly in clean, warm [43° C (110°F)
maximum], preferably running water. Drain. The importance of
thorough rinsing cannot be overemphasized. Detergents or
disinfectants that dry on facepieces can result in adverse skin
reactions (e.g., dermatitis). In addition, some disinfectants can cause
deterioration of rubber or corrosion of metal parts if not completely
removed.
f) Components should be hand-dried with a clean, lint-free cloth or air-
dried.
g) Reassemble the facepiece, replacing filters, cartridges, and canisters
where necessary.
h) Ensure that all components work properly in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.