Constructions are often the site of fatalities caused by falls, scaffolds, failure to lockout/tagout, machine guarding, and electrical hazards. But what many workers don’t know is that respiratory protection came in 4th among the Top 10 Most Cited Violations of OSHA. It spawned a total of 3,062 violations in 2007 alone.
The effects of respiratory hazards are not that easy to deal with . They are so complicated and the degree of the hazard varies, in that they can manifest from as fast as a couple of seconds to several years after exposure to the hazards. The effects range from irritation of the nose, throat and lungs to contamination of the bloodstream even to irreversible damage to the brain. The worst thing it could lead to is death and this either comes as a sudden effect of exposure (within seconds or minutes) to airborne hazards or as a complication of a compromised respiratory system (months or years after exposure). All these can happen because of dusts, fumes, gases and/or vapors present in your work site.
This is where respirators come in. With the use of this personal protective equipment (PPE), you can guard your lungs against the entry of harmful substances. But it’s not that easy to select a respirator ideal for your worksite. Also, contrary to popular belief, using respirators is not the first step towards respiratory protection.
Respiratory Protection Program
Employers must first seek to implement engineering control measures in work areas with respiratory hazards. This is, of course, with the help of a competent person. These measures involve the confinement or enclosure of the work area, general and local ventilation and exhausting. During the implementation of these measures, workers must be required to use respiratory/breathing protection.
Here are the basic elements of a Respiratory Protection Program:
- Program administrator
- Site-specific procedures for respirator selection
- Employee training and information distribution
- Medical evaluation
- Fit testing
- Filter, cartridge, and canister identification
- Use, maintenance, cleaning, and repair
- Recordkeeping
- Program evaluation
Selection of Respirators
Before selecting a respirator type, you must first perform an evaluation of each of your worksites. This way, you can determine the type of respirator ideal for the airborne hazards in each site. Ensure that each respirator type you choose is certified by the NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) and ANSI (American National Standards Institute).
The following are acronyms for designated respirator references recognized by ANSI and NIOSH:
- IDLH atmospheres Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health
- SAR Supplied Air Respirator
- SCBA Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
- HEPA High Efficiency Particulate Air filter
Maintenance of Respirators
Protecting your lungs against airborne hazards in the workplace does not stop with donning a respirator. Part of a worker’s responsibility is regularly maintaining their respirator.
A defective or damaged respirator is almost as good as wearing no respirator at all. That’s why you should always inspect your respirator for defects or damage before and after each shift.
Clean your respirator regularly. Try to clean them before and after use. This is particularly necessary if it is passed from one person to another.
Remember to store respirators in dry, sealed containers. Make sure that such containers are free from dust, excessive moisture and extreme temperatures. Plastic containers make good containers for respirators.
Related Links:
PPE and How It Can Save Your Life – Part 1
Electrical Safety for Construction Site Workers – Part 1
Top 10 OSHA Fines for Small Companies
OSHA Hosts Informal Hearing on Proposed Rule on Confined Spaces in Construction
