RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM
2013 April
What is fit-testing? • Part of a respirator safety program that educates workers on the proper care, use and limitations of respiratory protection devices • Must include a self-screening process and education • Uses a bitter (or sweet) mist solution
Legislation • 2010 Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations (R.S.O. 1990) • Canadian Standards Association Z94.4-11 “Selection, use and care of respirators” • American National Standards Institute Z88.2 “Respirator Standards”
Respiratory Protection Controls Engineering Ventilation
Administrative PPE
Respirators, gloves, tyvek suits
Decrease exposure, good hygiene
10 Program Evaluation
9 Recordkeeping
1 Roles, Responsibilities Program Administration
2 Hazard Identification and Assessment
ELEMENTS OF A RESPIRATORY PROGRAM
8 Cleaning, maintenance and storage
3 Respirator Selection3
4 Medical Surveillance & Pre-screening
5 Training
7 Use and inspection
6 Fit Testing
Hazard Identification N95 BIOAEROSOL • Tuberculosis, measles, chicken pox, potentially novel influenza, SARS coronavirus • Forms of hazards-droplet vs. airborne P100 NON-BIOAEROSOL • Asbestos fibre, mould spores, organic vapour
Forms of Contaminants PARTICULATES
GAS / VAPOUR GAS
DUST
FIBER
MIST BIOLOGICAL Virus/bacteria/mold, etc.
FUME
VAPOUR
Routes of Entry • Inhalation • Ingestion • Absorption through eyes and skin
Surgical Mask vs Respirator Surgical Mask •
• • • • •
Designed to filter some of the exhaled wearer generated organisms from the sterile field or patient’s wound No minimum filter efficiency standards for surgical masks No NIOSH approval Loose fitting Some manufacturers (e.g. 3M) have fluid resistant properties Typical specifications cited by manufacturers are BFE, PFE, fluid resistance, breathing resistance and latex content in the health care field
Respirator • •
• • • •
Designed to filter airborne particles inhaled by the HCW Minimum filter efficiency standards are set by NIOSH NIOSH approved Tight fitting to create a good face to respirator seal when properly fitted Some respirators have fluid resistant properties Typical specifications cited by manufacturers are designed for the needs of the industrial setting
Types of Respirators • • •
• •
Air Purifying Filtering facepiece Elastomeric facepiece Powered air-helmets, hoods, face-piece Air Supplying Air line from compressor or cylinder Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
Air Purifying • Air purifying respirators filter or purify the contaminated air N95 models include: 3M 8110S 3M 8210 3M 1860 3M 1860S 3M 9210 3M 1870 P100 models include: 2091 filter 2097 filters 8293 disposable 6100S 6200M 6300L
The “Fit” of your respirator • User must be clean shaven • Done in combination with other pieces of protective gear including eyeglasses, safety goggles or full face shields • Use the model that the employer maintains in stock.
Wearing the N95 • • • •
Place respirator on face Position upper elastic on crown of head Position lower elastic on back of neck Snug fit the nose-piece. Must not be tight and should fit uniformly over the contour space of your face
Face Seal Checks • Negative face seal check • Positive face seal check • Using Saran Wrap
Replacement Criteria • • • •
When to change the mask? Damage has been done Breathing resistance increases When excessively contaminated Replace after every use against infectious contaminants
Care and Maintenance • Make sure nothing is missing, dirty, warped or torn on the respirator • Do not use if elastic bands are cracked or damaged • Do not write or draw on it!
Storage • “Store in manner which will protect the respirator from dust, ozone, sunlight, heat, extreme cold, excessive moisture, vermin, damaging chemicals and oil or grease.” • Keep your wallet card
Program Guidelines • Get fit-tested prior to wearing a different respirator model other than the one you were originally fit-tested on • Perform personal seal check before working • Do not use if parts are missing or damaged • Never alter the respirator • Wear both straps properly • Ask questions!
Two Methods of Fit-Testing
Qualitative
Quantitative
Factors Affecting Facial Fit • • • • •
Weight gain or loss Facial hair Wrinkles, scars, acne, make-up (extreme) Facial structure Dentures
Fit-Test Challenge Procedures for qualitative test with challenge agent include: • First step: a sensitivity test. • Second step: actual fit-test while wearing your respirator • If you notice the taste … tell the fit-tester
Fit Test • • • • • • • •
Normal Breathing - 30 secs Deep Breathing - 30 secs Head Side to Side - 30 secs Head Up and Down - 30 secs Counting/Talking - 30 secs Bending at Waist - 30 secs Normal Breathing - 30 secs Break seal and confirm taste
Conditions that may affect respirator use • Shortness of breath, breathing difficulties • Lung disease • Hypertension • Neuromuscular disease • Temperature susceptibility • Panic attacks • Vision impairment
• Prescription medication to control a condition • Dentures • Chest pain on exertion • Cardiovascular disease • Fainting spells • Claustrophobia/fear of heights • Colour blindness
Conditions that may affect respirator use • Reduced sense of smell • Facial features/skin conditions • Seizures • Chronic bronchitis • Heart Problems • Thyroid problems • Dizziness/nausea • Hearing impairment
• • • • • • • •
Asthma Reduced sense of taste Emphysema Allergies Diabetes Pacemaker Pregnancy Previous difficulty while using a respirator • Previously fit tested, problems with fit test procedure
You can decline
Just be sure to sign the paper!
Privacy • No need to disclose personal medical conditions • Fit-test screening form is required to be filed in employee/volunteer personnel file for duration of employment • Program Administrator maintains a list of names, respirator model number and date of test only
Thank-you for your time
