Respiratory Protection
Samantha Selgrath
Penn State's Respiratory Protection Program applies to all employee operations where respirator use is either required, or voluntary, and during routine and non-routine tasks, such as during response actions involving spills or leaks of hazardous substances, and during fire-fighting, rescue, and public defense activities.
Respirator use may occur within a wide spectrum of Penn State facilities and operations ranging from the arts and agriculture, to laboratory/engineering, construction, maintenance, police, and emergency response operations. Respirator use may be necessary to protect employees from highly toxic contaminants, or where exposure levels to contaminants exceed OSHA permissible exposure limits (PELs) or other thresholds, and/or where other controls or ventilation are unavailable, or where such controls are inadequate for complete protection. Penn State's respiratory protection program is based upon requirements of the OSHA respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134).
Program Applicability
The Respiratory Protection Program (RPP) applies to Penn State employees, student employees, and visitors who wear respiratory protection while performing work for the University. This program covers all types of respirator use, including both air‑filtering and air‑supplying respirators, when respirator use is required as a condition of the work.
Certain provisions of the program also apply to voluntary respirator use, which may include various respirator types such as filtering face‑piece respirators (dust masks). Voluntary use of dust masks is exempt from some program requirements, as outlined in the OSHA standard.
Program Requirements
The Respiratory Protection Program establishes requirements to ensure respirators are used safely, appropriately, and only when necessary, in accordance with Penn State policy and OSHA regulations.
Determining the Need for Respiratory Protection
- The need for respiratory protection is determined through exposure evaluations and/or other hazard assessment methods, conducted in coordination with the work unit Safety Officer and with guidance from Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).
- Respirators may be used as an interim control, but ongoing reliance on respiratory protection will be minimized where feasible through the use of engineering and administrative controls.
Medical Evaluations and Fit Testing
- All required respirator users must receive a medical evaluation prior to initial use and annually thereafter.
- Voluntary respirator users, except those using dust masks, are also required to receive a medical evaluation.
- Individuals required to wear a respirator must be fit tested with the specific make and model of respirator prior to use and annually thereafter.
- Voluntary use of dust masks does not require fit testing.
Supervisor Responsibilities:
- Be knowledgeable of tasks that require respiratory protection
- Notify EHS and the work unit Safety Officer of potential respiratory hazards so they can be properly evaluated
- Ensure employees receive required training, fit testing, and medical evaluations
- Ensure appropriate respirators and accessories are available and replaced as needed
- Ensure proper use, care, maintenance, and storage of respiratory protection
Employee Responsibilities
- Complete required respirator training
- Receive annual fit testing and medical evaluations
- Inspect, use, and maintain their respirator properly
- Report unsafe conditions or environmental changes to their supervisor
- Use only respirators approved by EHS
Training Requirements
- Supervisors must ensure employees receive initial and periodic respirator training as established by EHS.
- Employees who use self‑contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) must complete initial and annual training, and additionally participate in quarterly drills or donning/doffing exercises.
Documents and Forms
Penn State administers requirements of the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard through the Program:
- Respiratory Protection Program (RPP)
Procedures and Requirements
- Appendix B Respirator User Selection Basis Record
- Appendix C Respiratory Protection Planning and Fit-Testing Requirements
- Work Unit Common Electrical Tasks and PPE Requirements
Forms
- Appendix E Program Evaluation Auditing Checklist
- Air-Purifying Respirator Hands-On Training/Review Checklist
- Voluntary Respirator Use Management Form
Other Agency/ Company documents of note:
- Respiratory Protection - OSHA eTool – This eTool provides instruction in all aspects of respirator use, selection, cartridge replacement and other aspects supporting compliance with OSHA Respiratory Protection standard.
- Respirators vs. Surgical Masks - OSHA Fact Sheet
- Inspection Procedures for the Respiratory Protection Standard - OSHA Instruction CPL_02-00-158
- MSA Cartridge Shelf Life Guide
- MSA Respirator Cartridge Selection Chart
- OSHA Respirator Standard Appendix D with Verification
Additional Resources
Refer to the NIOSH Respirators Webpage for current NIOSH Information
OSHA Respiratory Protection Webpage provides detailed information on OSHA resources and documentation