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Respiratory Protection Program Resources

A respiratory protection program ensures that all employees are protected from respiratory hazards. Employers will create and maintain an individualized, written respiratory program if their employees use respirators. We designed this section of our website to assist you with the creation of your respiratory protection and safety program.

An employer will evaluate workplace contaminants before beginning a respiratory protection program. Airborne contaminants can present a significant threat to worker safety and health. Air contaminants can take the form of harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smoke, sprays and vapors.

Your workplace Respiratory Protection Program

Is there a hazardous atmosphere in your workplace, which has (check all that apply):

☐ Insufficient oxygen

☐ Harmful levels of chemical (check label and SDS), biological, or radiological contaminants

☐ Unknown exposure levels or exposures to substances without an OSHA PEL (found on SDS for most pest

control products)

If you did not check any of the boxes above, the Respiratory Protection standard does not apply to your workplace.

If you checked any of the boxes above, the Respiratory Protection standard may apply to your workplace.

Selecting respirators

Evaluate respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace, identify relevant workplace and user factors, and base respirator selection on these factors

Medical evaluations of employees required to wear respirators

The medical evaluation will be provided before the employee is fit tested and uses the respirator in the workplace for the first time.

OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire - Every employee who has been selected to use any type of respirator will answer all 12 questions. See Appendix C to § 1910.134.

Fit testing

Qualitative fit testing is an annual non-numeric pass/fail test that relies on the respirator wearer’s response to a substance (“test agent”) used in the test to determine respirator fit.

Detailed protocols for qualitative fit testing are in Appendix A of the standard. The fit test completion form is tracked and maintained and the respirator clearance information form will be maintained.

Schedules for cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, discarding, and maintaining respirators

Develop cartridge-change schedules based on available data or information relied upon to ensure that cartridge changes before the end of their useful service life.

Respirator equipment will be regularly cleaned and disinfected according to specified procedures (See Appendix B-2 of the standard)
You will store respirators in a manner that Protects them from contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, damaging chemicals, or other destructive conditions. Prevents the facepiece or valves from becoming deformed. Follows all storage precautions issued by the respirator manufacturer.

Training in respiratory hazards

An atmosphere is hazardous if it does not contain sufficient oxygen, or if it contains chemical, biological, or radiological contaminants in sufficient quantity to harm the health of employees.

Training in user seal checks

The individual who uses a tight-fitting respirator is to perform a user seal check to ensure that an adequate seal is achieved each time the respirator is put on. Either a positive or negative pressure check or the respirator manufacturer’s recommended user seal check method shall be used. User seal checks are not substitutes for qualitative or quantitative fit tests.

Training in proper use and maintenance of respirators

Establish and implement procedures for the proper use of respirators. These requirements include prohibiting conditions that may result in facepiece seal leakage, preventing employees from removing respirators in hazardous environments, taking actions to ensure continued effective respirator operation throughout the work shift. Training for all of these components will be completed prior to first use.

Program evaluation

You will perform a program evaluation as necessary to make sure that your written respiratory protection program is working effectively. You do not need to review your respiratory protection program according to any fixed schedule. The frequency with which you need to evaluate your respiratory protection program will depend on the complexity and/or variability of the program.
You will evaluate respirator use with sufficient frequency to ensure that all elements of the respiratory protection program are being effectively implemented.

Voluntary use of respirators

Voluntary use is when an employee chooses to wear a respirator even though the use of a respirator is not required by either you or by an OSHA standard.
Respirators voluntarily are provided with certain basic information on proper respirator use. Additionally, you will ensure that employees are included in your program provisions for medical evaluations, and for cleaning, storage, and maintenance of respirators, as applicable.
Appendix D to Sec. 1910.134 (Mandatory) Information for Employees Using Respirators When Not Required Under the Standard

A designated program administrator who is qualified to administer the program

Once you have established a written program that covers all the required elements that apply to your workplace, you then will ensure that the program is appropriately implemented. Implementation of the program will be administered and overseen by your program administrator.

Updating the written program as necessary to account for changes in the workplace affecting respirator use

In any workplace where respirators are necessary to protect the health of the employee or whenever respirators are required by the employer, the employer shall establish and implement a written respiratory protection program (template) with worksite-specific procedures.