7 - PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
This section covers the requirements for the proper selection, use and care of respiratory protective devices and for the administration of an effective respiratory protection program.
Respiratory protection must be used only as a temporary measure and should not be adopted as a substitute for engineering controls or other corrective technical measures.
7.1.1 Employer Responsibilities
(a) The employer must be responsible for the preparation and implementation of written operative procedures for a Respiratory Protective Program (RPP), as outlined in 7.2;
(b) The employer must designate one person to administer the said program;
(c) The employer must provide sufficient quantities of respiratory protection equipment. This equipment shall be provided to all employees involved in any given situation where the level of airborne chrysotile asbestos dust exceeds or could exceed the permissible exposure limit;
(d) The employer must inform all employees when the concentration of airborne asbestos fibre levels reach its permissible exposure limit;
(e) The RPP must be provided and maintained by the company, with no cost to the employees;
(f) The employer must, with the assistance of the Safety and Health Department, maintain a list identifying the various work areas and activities with their corresponding personal protective measures. This list must be updated at least every year or when necessary.
7.1.2 Employee Responsibilities
(a) The person who has been provided with a respirator shall use and care for it in accordance with the instructions and training received;
(b) When employees are notified that airborne asbestos concentrations have reached the permissible exposure limit, they should use the protective devices provided them;
(c) The employee must take all precautions to prevent damage to the respirator provided for his/her use and must report any malfunction or damage to the respirator to his/her immediate supervisor.
A Respiratory Protection Program shall consist of the following components:
€ Program administration (see 7.3);
€ Chrysotile asbestos dust level evaluation (see 7.4);
€ Selection of appropriate respirator (see 7.5);
€ Respirator facial fit (see 7.6);
€ Training (see 7.7);
€ Use, inspection and monitoring of respirators (see 7.8);
€ Cleaning, inspection, maintenance and storage of respirators (see 7.9);
€ Health surveillance of respirator wearers (see 7.10);
€ Program evaluation (see 7.11).
1. The Program Administrator shall administer the RPP;
2. He/she shall evaluate the effectiveness of the RPP.
3. Where necessary to the proper functioning of the RPP, the program administrator must consult with users, manufacturers and other people knowledgeable in occupational hygiene and health, safety and industrial processes;
4. The program administrator must ensure that all persons required to wear respirators receive appropriate written instructions.
Chrysotile asbestos dust levels in the workplace must be monitored by following a survey strategy. The results should be distributed to the persons sampled, the supervisor and the union representative. The results will determine whether or not a respirator is required, and if so, what type.
The attached Table 1 summarizes assigned protection factors for respiratory protection. Table 2 specifically relates to some of the respirator models recommended for chrysotile asbestos use.
7.5.1 Work areas and activities where fibre concentrations are always below 1.0 f/cc.
At 1f/cc or below, the use of respirators is not required. However, if a worker requests respiratory protective equipment, a maintenance free, reusable half face respirator should be provided in accordance with European Standard EN 149 Category FFPS2 (see Figures 1A, 1B and Table 2).
7.5.2 Work areas where fibre concentrations are between 1.0-10.0 f/cc
In those areas or activities where the average concentration of chrysotile asbestos fibre is between 1 and 10 f/cc, respiratory equipment such as the half facepiece respirator equipped with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters must be worn. This equipment should be used only when necessary corrective technical measures are being taken or when the latter prove insufficient. It should also be used for maintenance work where dust concentration levels up to 10 f/cc are possible (see Figures 2A, 2B and Table 2).
NOTE: Effective January 1 1995, under Quebec regulations, workers can wear a maintenance-free, reusable, half face piece respirator in work areas where the concentrations of chrysotile asbestos fibre does not exceed 5 f/cc. Such respirators must meet European Standard EN149 Category FFP2S.
In Europe, such respirators are permitted for exposures up to 12 times the occupational exposure limit (see Figures 1A, 1B and Table 2).
7.5.3 Work areas where fibre concentrations are between 10 and 25 f/cc
The minimum requirement is a loose fitting, full-face, powered air-purifying respirator. The filters used must be HEPA (see Figures 3A, 3B and Table 2).
7.5.4 Work areas where fibre concentrations are between 25 - 100 f/cc
The minimum requirement is a tight fitting, facepiece, powered air-purifying respirator. The filters used must be HEPA (see Figures 4A, 4B and Table 2).
7.5.5 Work areas where fibre concentrations are over 100 f/cc
Although very unlikely, in the event that fibre concentrations exceed 100 f/cc, a supplied air respirator apparatus should be provided to workers (see Figures 5A, 5B and Table 2).
7.5.6 Remarks
It is important to note that chrysotile asbestos dust is never IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health), no matter what concentration levels are measured in the workplace.
Gas masks or chemical cartridge respirators do not provide effective protection against any kind of dust and as such, their use is not permitted.
The degree of protection afforded by a respirator requiring a tight facial seal depends on several factors, including:
€ the effectiveness of the seal to the facial skin;
€ the efficiency and capacity of the air-purifying or supply element; and,
€ the inward leakage through respirator components.
Efficiency and capacity of respirators are usually defined by the respirator equipment manufacturer and their instructions should be followed.
Leakage through respirator components can be eliminated by proper training, repair and maintenance procedures.
7.6.1 Qualitative Fit Testing
A qualitative respirator fit test must be used to determine the ability of each individual respirator user to obtain a satisfactory fit and an effective seal. The results of the fitting test, among other criteria, must generally be used to select the size and type of respirator.
(a) Most models are available in small, medium and large sizes;
(b) All qualitative fit tests on respirators with facepieces that require a tight seal in order to provide the user with proper protection, must be conducted under negative-pressure conditions;
(c) A fitting test should be carried out at least once a year for each wearer or whenever the wearer under goes physical changes, or work conditions necessitate a change in the type of respirator worn;
(d) A fitting test must not be used to determine the efficiency or adequacy of air-purifying components in a respirator;
(e) Under no circumstances may a person wear a respirator for which a satisfactory facial fit has not been obtained;
(f) When other personal protective equipment, such as eye, face, head and hearing protection are required, these must be worn during the respirator fit tests to ensure that they are compatible with the respirator and do not break the facial seal;
(g) Whenever possible, testing should be performed under conditions which simulate actual work practices;
(h) It is recommended that qualitative fit testing (QLFT) be performed. This can be discussed with your manufacturers' sales representative. Generally in Canada, QLFT is performed. This is because it is more popular than quantitative fit testing (QNFT) since the later requires expensive equipment and special adapters to perform.
(i) The assigned protection factor for each specific type of respirator is only valid once a satisfactory QLFT is demonstrated.
7.6.2 Fit Testing Records
Records of respirator fitting tests must be kept by the program administrator. The records must include, but not be limited to:
€ the name of the person tested;
€ the date and time of the test;
€ the specific make, model and size of the respirator;
€ the type of fitting test and test agent used;
€ the results of the fitting test;
€ comments on test difficulties, interference by clothing, protective equipment that needs to be worn in conjunction with the respirator, personal fitting problems, (e.g. eyeglasses, dentures, unusual facial features, or facial hair); and,
€ the name of the person giving the test.