Health and Safety Manual

Glossary

Appendix 1
Respirator Equipment Inventory

Appendix 2
Standard Operating Procedures Respiratory Equipment Fit Testing

Qualitative Test (QLFT) Protocols

 I.  Isoamyl Acetate Protocol

A.  Odor Threshold Screening

1. Three 1-liter glass jars with metal lids (e.g. Mason or Bell Jars) are required.
2. Odor-free water (e.g. distilled or spring water) at approximately 25° C should be used for the solutions.
3. The isoamyl acetate [IAA] (also known as isopentyl acetate) stock solution is prepared by adding 1 cc of pure IAA to 800 cc of odor-free water in a 1-liter jar and shaking for 30 seconds. This solution shall be prepared new at least weekly.
4. The screening test shall be conducted in a room separate from the room used for actual fit testing. The two rooms shall be well ventilated but may not be connected to the same recirculating ventilation system.
5. The odor test solution is prepared in a second jar by placing 0.4 cc of the stock solution into 500 cc of odor-free water using a clean dropper or pipette. Shake for 30 seconds and allow to stand for two to three minutes so that the IAA concentration above the liquid may reach equilibrium. This solution may be used for only one day.
6. A test blank is prepared in a third jar by adding 500 cc of odor-free water.
7. The odor test and test blank jars shall be labeled 1 and 2 for jar identification. If the labels are put on the lids, the interiors of the lids can be periodically dried off and the lids switched in order to avoid people thinking the same jar always has the IAA.
8. The following instructions shall be typed on a card and placed on the table in front of the two test jars: "The purpose of this test is to determine if you can smell banana oil at a low concentration. The two bottles in front of you contain water.  One of these bottles also contains a small amount of banana oil. Be sure the covers are on tight, then shake each bottle for two seconds. Unscrew the lid of each bottle, one at a time, and sniff at the mouth of the bottle. Indicate to the test conductor which bottle contains banana oil."
9. The mixtures used in the IAA odor detection test shall be prepared in an area separate from where the test is performed in order to prevent olfactory fatigue in the subject.
10. If the test subject is unable to correctly identify the jar containing the odor test solution, the IAA QLFT may not be used.
11. If the test subject correctly identifies the jar containing the odor test solution, respirator selection and fit testing may proceed

B.  Respirator Selection

1. The test subject shall be allowed to select the most comfortable respirator from an array of various sizes and manufacturers that includes at least three sizes of elastomeric half face pieces and units of at least two manufacturers.
2. The selection process shall be conducted in a room separate from the fit-test chamber to prevent odor fatigue. Prior to the selection process, the test subject shall be shown how to put on a respirator, how it should be positioned on the face, how to set strap tension and how to assess a "comfortable" respirator. A mirror shall be available to assist the subject in evaluating the fit and positioning of the respirator. (This procedure does not constitute formal training on respirator use, only a review.)
3. The test subject should understand the procedure is intended to permit the selection of the respirator which provides the most comfortable fit. Each respirator represents a different size and shape and, if fit properly, will provide adequate protection.
4. The test subject holds each face piece up to his face and eliminates those which are obviously not giving a comfortable fit. Normally, selection will begin with a half-mask and if a fit cannot be found, the subject will be asked to go to the full face piece respirators. (A small percentage of users will not be able to wear any half-mask.)
5. The more comfortable face pieces are recorded; the most comfortable mask is donned and worn at least five minutes to assess comfort.  Assistance in assessing comfort can be given by discussing the points in No. 6 below. If the test subject is not familiar with using a particular respirator, he shall be directed to don the mask several times and to adjust the straps each time, so that he becomes adept at setting proper tension on the straps.
6. Assessment of comfort shall include reviewing the following points with the test subject:
   1. Chin properly placed;
   2. Positioning of mask on nose;
   3. Strap tension;
   4. Fit across nose bridge;
   5. Room for safety glasses;
   6. Distance from nose to chin;
   7. Room to talk;
   8. Tendency to slip;
   9. Cheeks filled out;
   10. Self-observation in mirror; and
   11. Adequate time for assessment.
7. The test subject shall conduct the conventional negative and positive-pressure fit checks (e.g. see ANSI Z88.21980). Before conducting the negative or positive-pressure checks, the subject shall be told to "seat" the mask by rapidly moving the head side-to-side and up and down, taking a few deep breaths.
8. The test subject is now ready for fit testing.
9. After passing the fit test, the test subject shall be questioned again regarding the comfort of the respirator.  If it has become uncomfortable, another model of respirator shall be tried.
10. The employee shall be given the opportunity to select a different face piece and be retested if during the first two weeks of on-the-job wear the chosen face piece becomes unacceptably uncomfortable.

C.  Fit Test

1. The fit test chamber shall be substantially similar to clear 55-gallon drum liner suspended inverted over a 2-foot diameter frame, so that the top of chamber is about 6 inches above the test subject's head. The inside top center of the chamber shall have a small hook attached.
2. Each respirator used for the fitting and fit testing shall be equipped with organic vapor cartridges or offer protection against organic vapors. The cartridges or masks shall be changed at least weekly.
3. After selecting, donning, and properly adjusting a respirator himself, the test subject shall wear it to the fit testing room. This room shall be separate from the room used for odor threshold screening and respirator selection, and shall be well ventilated, as by an exhaust fan or lab hood, to prevent general room contamination.
4. A copy of the following test exercises and Rainbow (or equally effective) Passage shall be taped to the inside of the test chamber: Test Exercises
   1. Normal breathing.
   2. Deep breathing. Be certain breaths are deep and regular.
   3. Turning head from side-to-side. Be certain movement is complete. Alert the test subject not to bump the respirator on the shoulders. Have the test subject inhale when his head is at either side.
   4. Nodding head up-and-down. Be certain motions are complete and made about every second. Alert the test subject not to bump the respirator on the chest. Have the test subject inhale when his head in the fully up position.
   5. Talking. Talk aloud and slowly for several minutes. The following paragraph is called the Rainbow Passage. Reading it will result in a wide range of facial movements, and thus be useful to satisfy this requirement.
   6. Normal Breathing.

   Rainbow Passage
   When the sunlight strikes raindrops in the air, they act like a prism and form a rainbow. The rainbow is a division of white light into many beautiful colors. These take the shape of a long round arch, with its path high above, and its two ends apparently beyond the horizon. There is, according to legend, a boiling pot of gold at one end. People look, but no one ever finds it. When a man looks for something beyond reach, his friends say he is looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

5. Each test subject shall wear his respirator for at least 10 minutes before starting the fit test.
6. Upon entering the test chamber, the test subject shall be given a 6-inch by 5-inch piece of paper towel or other porous absorbent single-ply material, folded in half and wetted with three-quarters of one cc of pure IAA. The test subject shall hang the wet towel on the hook at the top of the chamber.
7. Allow two minutes for the IAA test concentration to be reached before starting the fit-test exercises. This would be an appropriate time to talk with the test subject, to explain the fit test, the importance of his cooperation, the purpose for the head exercises, or to demonstrate some of the exercises.
8. Each exercise described in No. 4 above shall be performed for at least one minute.
9. If at any time during the test, the subject detects the banana-like odor of IAA, he shall quickly exit from the test chamber and leave the test area to avoid olfactory fatigue.
10. Upon returning to the selection room, the subject shall remove the respirator, repeat the odor sensitivity test, select and put on another respirator, return to the test chamber, etc. The process continues until a respirator that fits well has been found. Should the odor sensitivity test be failed, the subject shall wait about 5 minutes before resetting. Odor sensitivity will usually have returned by this time.
11. If a person cannot be fitted with the selection of half-mask respirator, full face piece models shall be included in the selection process. When a respirator is found that passes the test, its efficiency shall be demonstrated for the subject by having him break the face seal and take a breath before exiting the chamber.
12. While the test subject leaves the chamber he shall remove the saturated towel, returning it to the test conductor. To keep the area from becoming contaminated, the used towels shall be kept in a self-sealing bag. There shall be no significant IAA concentration buildup in the test chamber from subsequent tests.
13. Persons who have successfully passed this fit test may be assigned the use of the tested respirator in atmospheres with up to 10 times the PEL of airborne lead. In other words, this IAA protocol may be used to assign a protection factor no higher than 10.

II.  Irritant Fume Protocol

A.  Respirator Selection

Respirator shall be selected as described in I-B of the Isoamyl Acetate Protocol, except that each respirator shall be equipped with high efficiency acid gas-organic vapor cartridges.

B. Fit Test

1. The test subject shall be allowed to smell a weak concentration of the irritant smoke to familiarize him with its characteristic odor.
2. The test subject shall properly don the respirator selected as above and wear it for at least 10 minutes before starting the fit test.
3. The test conductor shall review this protocol with the test subject before testing.
4. The test subject shall perform the conventional positive pressure and negative pressure fit checks. Failure of either check shall be cause to select an alternate respirator.
5. Break both ends of a ventilation smoke tube containing stannic oxychloride, such as the MSA Part No. 5645, or equivalent. Attach a short length of tubing to one end of the smoke tube.  Attach the other end of the smoke tube to a low pressure air pump set to deliver 200 milliliters per minute.
6. Advise the test subject that the smoke can be irritating to the eyes and instruct him to keep his eyes closed while the test performed.
7. The test conductor shall direct the stream of irritant smoke from the tube towards the face seal area of the test subject. He shall begin at least 12 inches from the face piece and gradually move to within one inch, moving around the whole perimeter of the mask.
8. The following exercises shall be performed while the respirator seal is being challenged by the smoke. Each shall be performed for one minute.
   1. Normal breathing.
   2. Deep breathing. Be certain breaths are deep and regular.
   3. Turning head from side-to-side. Be certain movement is complete. Alert the test subject not to bump the respirator on the shoulders. Have the test subject inhale when his head is at either side.
   4. Nodding head up-and-down. Be certain motions are complete and made about every second. Alert the test subject not to bump the respirator on the chest. Have the test subject inhale when his head in the fully up position.
   5. Talking. Talk aloud and slowly for several minutes. Counting backwards from 100 or reading the Rainbow Passage included in the Isoamyl Acetate Protocol under I-C-4-e will satisfy this requirement.
   6. Normal Breathing.
9. If the irritant smoke produces an involuntary reaction (cough) by the test subject, the test conductor shall stop the test. In this case the tested respirator is rejected and another respirator shall be selected.
10. Each test subject passing the smoke test without evidence of response shall be given a sensitivity check of the smoke from the same tube to determine whether he reacts to the smoke. Failure to evoke a response shall void the fit test.
11. Steps B-4, B-7 and B-8 of this protocol shall be performed in a location with exhaust ventilation sufficient to prevent general contamination of the testing area by the irritant smoke.
12. Respirators successfully tested by the protocol may be used in contaminated atmospheres up to ten times the PEL. In other words, this protocol may be used to assign protection factors not exceeding ten.

Quantitative Fit Test (QNFT) Protocols

 I.  PortaCount Fit Test

The quantitative fit test provided to the wearer shall determine the proper fit and degree of integrity of the face fit under actual wearing conditions. The wearer will be placed in a test atmosphere containing an easily detectable, relatively nontoxic aerosol, vapor or gas, or microscopic particles in ambient air as the test agent and then measurement of the penetration of the test agent into the respiratory will be determined. The wearer will be assigned a protection factor based upon the results of the quantitative fit testing.

 

A.  Respirator Selection

Respirator shall be selected as described in I-B of the Isoamyl Acetate Protocol, except that each respirator shall be equipped with high efficiency particulate filter (HEPA) cartridges.

B.  Fit Test

Fit testing shall follow the manufacturer's instruction. Quantitative fit testing will only be performed by the H and S Program staff.

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Appendix 3
Standard Operating Procedures Respiratory Equipment Maintenance and Use

Respirator Inspection and Maintenance

Each worker must inspect the respirator(s) assigned to them prior to each day's use and during cleaning. Inspection of the respirator should include the following:

Air purifying respirators

1. Check rubber face piece for dirt, pliability of rubber, deterioration, and cracks, tears, or holes.
2. Check straps for breaks, tears, loss of elasticity, broken attachment snaps and proper tightness.
3. Check valves (exhalation and inhalation) for holes, warpage, cracks, and dirt.
4. Check filters, cartridges and canisters for dents, corrosion and expiration dates. Check protection afforded by canister and its limitations.

Respirator Cleaning

Respirators shall be regularly cleaned and disinfected. Those respirators issued for the exclusive use of one Board employee should be cleaned after each day's use, or more often if necessary. Those respirators issued to Board employees for occasional use shall be cleaned by H and S Program staff. The following methods for respiratory cleaning and disinfecting is as follows:

Manual Cleaning

A generalized cleaning procedure shall include:

1. Remove canisters, filters, valves, straps, and speaking diaphragm (if applicable) from the face piece.
2. Wash face piece and accessories in warm soapy water or commercially available cleaner. Gently scrub with a brush.
3. Rinse parts thoroughly in clean water (120 degrees F).
4. Air dry in a clean place or wipe dry with a lintless cloth.
5. Reassemble.

Disinfection

Disinfection is required when the respiratory is used by more than one person or after several uses. Two types of disinfectants are provided below:

1. Immerse the respirator body for two minutes in a 50 ppm chlorine solution (about 2 ml bleach to l liter of water [2 tablespoons of bleach to 1 gallon water]). Rinse thoroughly in clean water and dry; OR
2. Immerse the respiratory body for two minutes in a aqueous solution of iodine (add 0.8 ml tincture of iodine in 1 liter water [1 teaspoon iodine to 1 gallon water]). The iodine is about 7 percent ammonium and potassium iodide, 45 percent alcohol and 48 percent water. Rinse thoroughly in clean water and dry.

Note: Immersion times have to be limited to minimize damage to the respirator. The solutions can age rubber and rust metal parts. Caution must be taken to thoroughly rinse the respirator after cleaning and disinfection to prevent dermatitis. An alternate method is to purchase a commercially prepared solution for disinfection or decontamination according to the directions recommended by the manufacturer.

Appendix 4
Information for Employees Using Respirators when not Required under the Standard (Mandatory)

Respirators are an effective method of protection against designated hazards when properly selected and worn. Respirator use is encouraged even when exposures are below the exposure limit, to provide an additional level of comfort and protection for workers. However, if a respirator is used improperly or not kept clean, the respirator itself can become a hazard to the worker. Sometimes, workers may wear respirators to avoid exposures to hazards, even if the amount of hazardous substance does not exceed the limits set by OSHA standards. If your employer provides respirators for your voluntary use, or if you provide your own respirator, you need to take certain precautions to be sure that the respirator itself does not present a hazard.

You should do the following:

1. Read and heed all instructions provided by the manufacturer on use maintenance, cleaning and care, and warnings regarding the respirators limitations.
2. Choose respirators certified for use to protect against the contaminant of concern. NIOSH, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, certifies respirators. A label or statement of certification should appear on the respirator or respirator packaging. It will tell you what the respirator is designated for and how much it will protect you.
3. Do not wear your respirator into atmospheres containing contaminants for which your respirator is not designated to protect against. For example, a respirator designated to filter dust particles will not protect you against gases, vapors or very small solid particles of fumes or smoke.
4. Keep track of your respirator so that you do not mistakenly use someone else’s respirator.

Last updated: November 01, 2007