Personal Protective Equipment and Respiratory Protection
PPE and respiratory-protection questions test whether you can select equipment for the exposure, run the program, and avoid cross-contamination.
Program elements
- Written respiratory-protection program, medical evaluation before fit testing, annual fit testing, and training.
- Respirator selection based on measured or anticipated exposure and assigned protection factor (APF).
- Change cartridges and filters on a schedule and whenever breathing resistance rises.
- For exposures above an air-purifying respirator's maximum use concentration, use supplied air or SCBA.
- Protective clothing: disposable coveralls, booties, gloves, and head cover; no street clothes in the work area; remove in the dirty room and shower before entering the clean room.
Worked example
The PEL is 0.1 f/cc. A half-mask APR has an APF of 10, so its maximum use concentration is 1.0 f/cc. A worker's 8-hour TWA is 1.8 f/cc. A half-mask is therefore insufficient; a full-face APR (APF 50) gives a maximum use concentration of 5.0 f/cc and is acceptable if fit tested and medically cleared.
Traps
- Fit testing a different respirator model from the one used.
- Facial hair that breaks the seal.
- Wearing the respirator into the clean room.
- Skipping medical evaluation before fit testing.
- Reusing disposable clothing.