Respiratory Protection
Overview
In order to ensure that faculty, staff, and students are protected from airborne contaminants and hazards, RIT has developed a Respiratory Protection Program.
A breathing or respiratory hazard exists when a toxic contaminant is present in the air at a high enough level to potentially cause harm when it is inhaled. By wearing the right type of respirator when necessary, you can protect your lungs from breathing hazards. The law requires that, if possible, RIT should use engineering or administrative controls to prevent air contamination at the workplace and reduce exposure below the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL). However, if these controls are not possible, RIT is required to provide an appropriate type of respirator.
Applicable Regulation
Management Requirements
Before faculty, staff or students wear respirators, they must be placed into RIT’s Respiratory Protection Program. This will include:
- Having a medical evaluation.
- Passing a respiratory fit test.
- Undergoing respirator use training.
Respirator use may create a hazard to the user if they are not physically fit to wear one. Therefore, a medical evaluation is required to be performed for all respirator users. First you must fill out a medical evaluation questionnaire (if only using an N, R, and/or P series type respirator, fill out the shorter questionnaire entitled "Respirator Medical Questionnaire Form for N, R, P Series Respirators". For all other types of respirators the other questionnaire form needs to be completed.) The questionnaires will be reviewed for approval through a physician/licensed health care professional. If you are approved to wear a respirator, then respirator fit testing can be conducted.
Fit testing is also a pre-requisite for wearing a respirator in order to ensure that a proper seal exists between the respirator and the users face. In most instances, facial hair will have to be removed prior to respirator use.
Before any respirator can be selected, it is essential to know what the hazard is and how much is present. Selection of the right type of respirator for a specific hazard should be made by consulting with RIT’s Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Department.
Exemptions
The voluntary use of a dust masks (filter face piece respirators) or particulate respirators (N, R, or P Series) does not require an individual to be placed in the RIT Respiratory Protection Program. However, any person using the N, R, or P Series particulate respirators must review and sign off on the "Information for Employees/Students Using Respirators – Voluntary Use Form” available on the right side of this page.
The voluntary use of all other respirators will require the user to be medically cleared to use a respirator; review and sign off on the "Information for Employees/Students Using Respirators Not Required by the Standard"; and ensure that their respirator is cleaned, stored, and maintained so its use does not present a health hazard.
Contract Employees
Contract Employees shall have a copy of their company Respiratory Protection Program and shall consult with RIT prior to entering any RIT areas that require respiratory protection. They shall provide their own company respirators.
Training Requirements
All RIT employees and students who are required to wear respirators will be provided training in order to acquire the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of their duties.
Training shall be provided to each affected RIT employee and student before they first wear a required respirator. Annual refresher training is required for each employee/student who continues to wear a required respirator.
The training covers:
- Why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator.
- What the limitations and capabilities of respirators are.
- How to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check the seals of the respirator.
- What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator.
- How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators.
- The general OSHA respiratory training requirements
First time training for respiratory protection must be done through the RIT EH&S Department only. After initial training, the RIT Respiratory Protection training presentation is provided by the RIT EH&S Department periodically through RIT’s Center for Professional Development. If you can not make one of these training sessions, the training is also available online through this website.
In order for your online training session to be accepted by the RIT EH&S Department you must take a brief test at the end of the presentation and sign a certification statement. Please download the "Respiratory Protection Online Training Certification Document" from this website where you will enter your test answers and sign the certification statement. You must submit the Certification Document to the RIT EH&S Department located in Grace Watson for approval. If approved, the RIT EH&S Department will issue a Respiratory Protection Training Certificate.
