The Services of Scarano Group, Inc.
Respiratory Protection
Respirators protect the user in two basic ways. The first is by the removal of contaminants from the air. Respirators of this type include particulate respirators, which filter out airborne particles; and "gas masks” which filter out chemicals and gases. Other respirators protect by supplying clean air from another source. Respirators that fall into this category include airline respirators, which use compressed air from a remote source; and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which include their own air supply.
Workers often are exposed to airborne contaminants, physical hazards, and biological agents. OSHA requires employers to use engineering controls to prevent occupational diseases caused by breathing air contaminated with such materials, including harmful dusts, fumes, mists, gases, sprays, and vapors. Where effective engineering controls are not feasible or while they are being installed, respirators should be used in accordance with requirements of OSHA's respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134).
The standard requires employers to establish or maintain a respiratory protection program to protect their employees. The standard contains requirements for: Program administration, worksite-specific procedures, respirator selection, employee training, fit-testing, medical evaluation, respirator use and respirator cleaning, maintenance and repair. Before an employee may be required to use any respirator with a negative or positive pressure tight fitting facepiece, the employee must be fit tested with the same make, model, style, and size of respirator that will be used.
Employees using tight-fitting facepiece respirators must pass an appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT). The employer must ensure that an employee using a tight- fitting facepiece respirator is fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model, or make) is used, and at least annually thereafter.
Respiratory fit testing is available at the SGI headquarters and through our mobile services which allows us to bring our services directly to your company when you need them. Our convenient, on-site testing and services will save you time and money.
