Employee Responsibility - Respirator Fit

Employees will use respirators provided in accordance with training received.

Employees must report any malfunction of a respirator to their supervisor immediately, and that

respirator will be taken out of service to be repaired or replaced.

RESPIRATOR APPROVALS

Respirators used must be approved by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) or

the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

RESPIRATOR SELECTION

Respirators will be selected based on the following:

1) The nature of the hazardous process.

2) The type of respiratory hazard and its concentration.

3) The physical activities of the employees using the respirators.

4) The capabilities and limitations of the respirators

Respirators are available from the supervisor. If the proper respirator is not available, the

employee must secure the proper respirator prior to commencing work.

Employees must make a diligent effort to follow normal respirator selection procedures to obtain

and use the correct respirator.

Each employee that may use a respirator will receive training which will explain and discuss the

following:

1) The effects of using a respirator improperly

2) Why particular respirators were selected

3) How to put the respirator on, and how to check its fit.

4) Respirator maintenance

5) The recognition of and procedures followed in an emergency situation.

6) Viewing of the thirty-minute training tape.

RESPIRATOR FIT

Respirators will be checked for fit prior to each and every use (including disposable dust and

vapor respirators).

All employees must be able to demonstrate proper fit and seal when assigned to wear a full or

partial face piece respirator in an atmosphere, which is or could be immediately dangerous to life

and health (i.e. confined entry work, emergency work, etc).