Respiratory Protection

3 types of respirators

Updated 7/30/24

When respirators are used properly, they can prevent injury and illnesses from exposure to airborne substances that may be inhaled.

University managers and supervisors are responsible for controlling exposures to airborne contaminants, such as dusts, vapors and other aerosols. Whenever engineering or administrative controls are not feasible or practical, or in emergency situations, personnel may be required to use a respirator to protect from breathing in airborne contaminants.

Respirator use at the UW

The UW Respiratory Protection Program Manual outlines the requirements and the University’s procedures for using respiratory protection in a safe and effective way that is compliant with applicable regulations. The Program is managed by Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S).

Respirators may be used voluntarily in the workplace (under specific conditions), or respirators may be required due to the potential for exposure to respiratory hazards. The process for identifying hazards, submitting a request to use respirators, medical clearance, training, and fit testing is described below.

Note: It can take up to 3-4 weeks for new users to receive authorization to use respirators after a respirator request is submitted to EH&S. This delay is due to respirator request and medical clearance processing times, and training and fit testing completion times.

Supervisors conduct a hazard assessment and notify EH&S when respiratory hazards are identified.
Supervisors submit a Respirator Request Form to EH&S get a work group authorized to use respirators.
EH&S will review respirator requests and conduct a respiratory hazard evaluation, either for the general work environment or for a specific task.
Based on the hazard evaluation, EH&S will determine if respirator use is required or voluntary.
- EH&S may decide not to recommend respirators because exposures can be mitigated with other controls or work practices.
- You may be part of an existing user group that has established required respiratory protection for certain work tasks.

Fit testing is a (quantitative or qualitative) test performed by EH&S to determine if a specific make, model, and size of respirator fits your face. This test verifies that a mask doesn’t leak and provides adequate protection.

If you are required to use a respirator, you must be trained and fit tested every 12 months.

If you are required to wear a tight-fitting respirator (e.g., N95 or half-face elastomeric respirator), you must be fit tested.
Facial hair may interfere with a tight-fitting respirator’s seal; you should be clean-shaven in order to effectively wear a tight-fitting respirator.
Loose-fitting respirators (e.g. powered air-purifying respirators) require hands-on training instead of a fit test.

Voluntary use of respirators

The voluntary use of respirators applies only when it has been determined that

Such respirator use will not in itself create a hazard;
Airborne occupational exposures to hazardous chemicals do not exceed established WISHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL);
No airborne biological hazard is present; and
No specification standards require the mandatory use of respirators.

Personnel who voluntarily use a disposable filtering facepiece respirator are not required to get medical clearance, or participate in training and fit testing.

Personnel who wear a cloth face covering or medical/procedure mask are also not required to get medical clearance, or participate in training and fit testing. (Review the differences between types of facemasks.)

The information in Advisory Information for Employees who Voluntarily Use Respirators must be provided to all voluntary users of respirators for their review.

The information in Appendix K of the UW Respiratory Protection Program Manual provides guidance for using respirators voluntarily for protection against laboratory animal allergens.

Responsibilities

Identify, with assistance from EH&S, personnel who may need respirators, facilitate medical evaluations, and schedule training and fit testing before beginning work activities requiring respirator use, and annually thereafter.
Submit a Respirator Request Form to EH&S when respiratory hazards are first identified, when processes change that may impact respiratory hazards, and annually thereafter.
Request assistance from EH&S in evaluating operations that may present health and safety hazards requiring the use of a respirator.
Purchase and maintain availability of appropriate respirators, replacement parts, cleaning and maintenance supplies, and accessories.
Ensure compliance with the UW Respiratory Protection Program for personnel and equipment under their responsibility.
Ensure respirators are properly used and maintained, including following cartridge change-out schedules, as necessary.
Implement engineering and other controls when feasible.
Ensure only trained and authorized personnel perform work that requires respiratory protection.

Refer to the UW Respiratory Protection Program Manual for more information.

Use only the brand, model, and size of respirator(s) for which the individual was trained and fitted.
Use the respirator only for the specific tasks that it was issued.
Use respirators for tasks when they are required.
Seek medical help if wearing a respirator creates negative health effects such as difficulty breathing, dizziness, or anxiety.
Care for and maintain respirators as instructed, including following the specific cartridge change-out schedule.
Notify the supervisor of any problems associated with using a respirator. This includes a respiratory hazard that needs further evaluation, if the respirator is not providing adequate protection, and any concerns with the UW Respiratory Protection Program.
Update respirator authorization by completing annual training and fit testing (recertification).
Report any concerns related to respirator use or respiratory hazards, and any changes in medical conditions to EH&S.

Refer to the UW Respiratory Protection Program Manual for more information.

Provide technical assistance to units in following the requirements of the UW Respiratory Protection Program.
Review completed Respirator Request Forms submitted by supervisors. This completed form documents and serves as the respiratory hazard evaluation and is updated annually.
Conduct workplace assessments to identify hazards and recommend controls, including respirators.
Determine if respirator use is required or voluntary based on a hazard assessment and select appropriate respirators.
Determine and document respirator cartridge change-out schedules. Provide the schedule to and review with supervisors and respirator users.
Monitor respirator use to ensure respirators are used in accordance with their certifications.
Provide and/or oversee respirator training and fit testing.
Implement and/or oversee the respirator medical evaluation process provided by the UW Employee Health Center in EH&S.
Monitor compliance of UW units and departments with respirator use and respirator users.

Services available

EH&S provides the following services:

Hazard assessments, including site visits, risk assessment, and exposure assessments as needed
Respirator selection, including identifying correct cartridges and establishing a change-out schedule
Training, both in-person and online
Fit testing and hands-on training for respirator use
Conduct the medical clearance process

More Information

The UW Respiratory Protection Program helps protect University personnel and students from exposure to respiratory hazards, ensure compliance with applicable occupational safety and health regulations, and provide requirements for the proper selection and use of respiratory protection equipment. This Program applies to all University-affiliated activities where personnel and/or students may use respiratory protection.

Frequently asked questions

First, talk with your supervisor. If they already have authorization for respirators to be used for the work you are doing, you can be added to the user list to participate in the UW Respiratory Protection Program.

The process for obtaining authorization to wear a respirator is as follows:

The supervisor initiates the process by submitting a Respirator Request Form to EH&S.
EH&S consults with the supervisor, completes the workplace hazard assessment, and selects the appropriate respirator for the identified respiratory hazard(s). Results of the assessment are recorded and provided to the supervisor and the UW Employee Health Center.
Personnel designated by the supervisor as respirator users complete and submit the confidential Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire to the UW Employee Health Center.
The UW Employee Health Center performs and documents the respirator medical evaluation and sends a report to the individual and EH&S.
EH&S provides training and fit testing, and issues written documentation. The employee is then authorized to wear a respirator.

Refer to the UW Respiratory Protection Program Manual for more information.

New respirator users can take up to 3-4 weeks to be cleared for respirator use. This is due to administrative processing, training, and fit testing completion times.

It may take less time if you are being added to an existing user group. It may take more time if a new hazard assessment is required.

Generally, once a medical clearance form has been submitted to the UW Employee Health Center, the clearance, training and fit testing process can be conducted within a few weeks.

When renewing annual respirator authorizations, supervisors should look to start this process at least a month prior to expiration.

This depends on the kind of respirator you are using. Filtering facepiece respirators (disposable N95s) can sometimes be used without participating in the Respiratory Protection Program. This is known as “voluntary use” (refer to the Voluntary Use section). However, the law requires your participation in the Respiratory Protection Program if you are using cartridge-style respirators and all other kinds. Notify your supervisor and contact EH&S for next steps.

Required respirator use is when one of the following have occurred:

EH&S has determined that your exposure to a specific airborne contaminant is likely to exceed an established Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL), which are established by law to protect worker health.
Your supervisor or unit/department has chosen to require respiratory protection as part of a specific job task.

Voluntary respirator use is when no respiratory hazards have been identified that would overexpose an individual (beyond an OEL), and respirator use isn’t required as a department or unit policy. For example, an individual may choose to wear a respirator as a precautionary measure or for a specific chemical sensitivity. If the respirator selected for voluntary use is a filtering facepiece respirators (e.g., dust mask), participation in the Respiratory Protection Program is not required.

Voluntary respirator users must

Inform their supervisor they want to wear a respirator on a voluntary basis;
Review the Advisory information for Employees Who Voluntarily Use Respirators;
Use the respirator safely and according to manufacturer’s instructions; and
Report any problems with use.

Definitions

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