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HOFFMAN ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES SOG Category & Identification Number: EFFECTIVE DATE: SAFETY GUIDELINES – 003 January 1, 2022 NIMS COMPLIANT SOG Title...

HOFFMAN ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES SOG Category & Identification Number: EFFECTIVE DATE: SAFETY GUIDELINES – 003 January 1, 2022 NIMS COMPLIANT SOG Title: Fire Department Respirator Guidelines Revision: 2 APPROVED BY: NUMBER OF PAGES: Re-evaluation Date: Alan Wax January 1, 2024 Fire Chief 10 PURPOSE In the control of those occupational diseases caused by breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays or vapors; the primary objectives shall be to prevent atmospheric contamination. DEFINITIONS POLICY This shall be accomplished as far as feasible by accepted engineering control measures (i.e., enclosure or confinement of operations, general and local ventilation, and substitution of less toxic materials). When effective engineering controls are not feasible, or while they are being instituted, appropriate respiratory protection shall be used. Respirators shall be used only during activities designated for their use, according to the specifications established by their manufacturers, according to the program elements specified in this document, and according to the guidelines established within each division. A. The Battalion Chief of Training and Safety (Fire Department’s Safety Officer) shall be designated as the Respirator Program Administrator. The Respirator Program Administrator shall be responsible to: 1. Develop and implement a written, respiratory protection program with worksite specific guidelines. 2. Ensure that this respiratory protection program includes all components listed in this policy (whenever and wherever applicable) and involves all applicable fire department divisions. B. The Respirator Program Administrator shall establish respirator program coordinators located in all applicable fire department divisions. These respirator coordinators shall be responsible for ensuring that all facets of the respirator 1  program are completed within their divisions. In addition, these coordinators shall be responsible to assist in establishing worksite-specific respirator guidelines within their divisions. The respirator coordinators are as follows: 1. EMS Division Head 2. Facilities Division Head 3. SCBA Division Head 4. SCUBA Division Head PROCEDURE A. Whenever respirators are required, the program must include: 1. Guidelines for selection. 2. Medical evaluations. 3. Fit testing guidelines for tight fitting respirators. 4. Guidelines for use in routine and foreseeable emergency situations. 5. Guidelines and schedules for cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, discarding, and maintaining respirators. 6. Guidelines to ensure adequate air quality, quantity, and flow of breathing air for atmosphere-supplying respirators. 7. Training employees in respiratory hazards which they may be potentially exposed to during routine and emergency situations. 8. Training of employees in proper use, limitations, and maintenance. 9. Guidelines for regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the program. B. Whenever respirators are not required, but requested by employee, the program must include: 1. If voluntary use is permissible and poses no hazard, provide respirator users with information found in Appendix D of OSHA 1910.134. 2. Establish and implement a written respiratory protection program necessary to ensure that any employee (using a respirator) is medically able to use that respirator and the respirator is cleaned, stored, and maintained properly. (Exception: Employees whose only use involves voluntary use of dust masks.) C. Respirators, training, and medical evaluations must be provided at no cost to the employees. 2 PROGRAM COMPONENTS A. Selection of Respirators 1. General requirements a. Respirator selection must be based on respiratory hazards. b. Use only NIOSH approved respirators. c. Identify and evaluate respiratory hazards in the workplace (including estimate of employee exposure and identification of the contaminant’s chemical state and form). If the employee exposure cannot be reasonably estimated, than the atmosphere must be considered IDLH. d. Select respirators in sufficient models and sizes to correctly fit the user. 2. Respirators for IDLH atmospheres a. Provide full face piece pressure demand SCBA or a combination full face piece pressure demand SAR with auxiliary self-contained air supply. b. All oxygen-deficient atmospheres must be considered IDLH. 3. Respirators for non-IDLH atmospheres a. Provide a respirator that protects the employee and meets OSHA statutory and regulatory requirements for routine and reasonably foreseeable emergency situations. b. Selection shall be appropriate for the chemical state and physical form of the contaminant. c. If air-purifying respirators are used, then the respirator must be equipped with an end-of-service-life indicator (ESLI) or a filter change schedule must be implemented. This filter change schedule must be based on objective information and described in the respirator program. d. For protection against gases and vapors, either atmosphere- supplying respirators or air-purifying respirators must be provided. If air-purifying respirators are used, they must be equipped with filters certified by NIOSH 42 CFR Part 84. Their use will be in accordance with NIOSH 42 CFR Part 84 and according to the NIOSH Respirator Decision Logic Sequence and NIOSH Flow Chart. B. Medical Evaluations 1. Provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee’s ability to use a respirator. This evaluation must take place before fit testing or required use of the respirator. 3  2. Identify a physician or other licensed health care professional (PLHCP) to perform a medical questionnaire or initial medical exam. Medical questionnaire must obtain information found in Appendix C of OSHA 1910.134. 3. Provide a medical follow-up examination, if the initial exam or medical questionnaire demonstrates the need. The follow-up exam must include all tests that the PLHCP deems necessary to make a final determination of respirator use. 4. The medical questionnaire and exam must be administered confidentially during the employee’s working hours. The content of the exam and questionnaire must be understandable to the employee and results discussed between the PLHCP and the employee. 5. Provide the following information to the PLHCP before the PLHCP makes a recommendation concerning an employee’s ability to use a respirator: a. Type and weight of respirator b. Duration and frequency of respirator use (including rescue and escape use) c. Expected physical work effort d. Additional protective clothing and equipment to be worn e. Temperature and humidity extremes that may be encountered f. A copy of the written respiratory protection program and copy of 1910.134 6. Obtain written recommendations from the PLHCP regarding the following information: a. Limitations on respirator use related to medical or workplace conditions. This must include whether or not the employee is medically able to use the respirator. b. Need for a follow-up medical evaluation. c. Statement that the PLHCP has provided the employee with a copy of the written recommendations. d. Special PAPR use requirements if the respirator is a negative pressure respirator and the PLHCP finds a medical condition that may place the employee at increased risk (if the respirator is used). 7. Additional medical evaluations will be provided as follows: a. An employee reports medical signs or symptoms related to respiratoruse. b. A PLHCP, supervisor, or program administrator determines that the employee needs to be reevaluated. 4  c. Information from the program, including observations made duringfit testing and program evaluation; indicates a need for employee reevaluation. d. A change occurs in the workplace conditions that may result in a substantial increase in the physiological burden placed on an employee. C. Fit Testing 1. Employee using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator must pass an appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT). The results of these tests shall be recorded on Appendix 3 of this policy. 2. Fit testing must be completed prior to initial use, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model, or make) is used, and at least annually. 3. Additional fit tests must be completed whenever the employee reports: or the employer, program administrator, PLHCP, or supervisor makes visual observations of changes in the employee’s physical condition that could affect respirator fit. 4. If after passing a QLFT or QNFT, the employee develops an unacceptable respirator fit, the employee must be given a reasonable opportunity to select a different respirator and to be retested. 5. All fit tests must be administrated using the OSHA-accepted QLFT or QNFT protocol described in Appendix A of OSHA 1910.134. 6. QLFT may only be used to fit test negative pressure air–purifying respirators that achieve a fit factor of 100 or less. 7. QNFT must be used to fit test tight fitting half face pieces (with a fit factor equal or greater than 100) or tight fitting full face pieces (with a fit factor equal or greater than 500). 8. Fit testing for tight fitting atmosphere-supplying and tight fitting powered air purifying respirators must be completed in the negative pressure mode. a. QLFT of these units must be accomplished by converting the specific face piece into a negative pressure respirator (using appropriate filters) or by using an identical negative pressure surrogate face piece. b. QNFT of these respirators must be accomplished by modifying the face piece to allow for sampling inside the face piece in the breathing zone of the user (midway between the nose and mouth). c. Any modifications to the face piece for QLFT or QNFT must be removed before the respirator is used in the workplace. 5 D. Use of Respirators 1. Employees must not wear tight-fitting face pieces under the following conditions: a. Facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the face piece and the face or that interferes with valve function. b. Any condition that interferes with face-to-face piece seal or valve function (i.e., glass frames, personal protective equipment). Employees must perform a user seal check each time they put on a tight-fitting respirator. This check must be completed according to Appendix B-1 of OSHA 1910.134. 2. Complete appropriate surveillance of the work area conditions and degree of employee exposure of stress that impacts respirator effectiveness. Ensure that employees leave the respirator use area under the following conditions: a. Wash their faces and respirator facepieces as necessary to prevent eye and skin irritation due to respirator use. b. If they detect vapor or gas breakthrough, changes in breathing resistance, or leakage of the facepiece. If these conditions occur, the respirator must be replaced or repaired before the employee returns to the work area. c. To replace the respirator cartridge, filter, or canister elements. 3. For all IDLH atmospheres, ensure the following: a. At least one employee is located outside an IDLH atmosphere. b. Visual, voice, or signal line communication is maintained between employee(s) in the IDLH atmosphere and employee (s) outside the IDLH atmosphere. c. Employee(s) located outside the IDLH atmosphere are trained and equipped to provide effective emergency rescue. (This equipment includes: SCBA or SAR units, appropriate retrieval equipment, or equivalent means of rescue [where retrieval equipment is not required]). 4. For all interior structural firefighting, ensure the following: a. Meet all criteria noted for IDLH atmospheres. b. At least two employees enter the IDLH atmosphere and remain in visual or voice contact with one another at all times. c. At least two employees are located outside the IDLH atmosphere. d. All employees engaged in firefighting use SCBAs. E. Maintenance and Care of Respirators 1. Employees must be provided with a respirator that is clean, sanitary, and in good working order. Ensure that respirators are cleaned and disinfected according to guidelines established in Appendix B-2 of OSHA 1910.134 or recommended by the manufacturer. 6 2. Respirators must be cleaned and disinfected according to the following intervals: a. Exclusively used respirators must be cleaned and disinfected often, to be maintained in a sanitary condition. b. Respirators issued to more than one employee must be cleaned and disinfected before being worn by different individuals. c. Respirators used for fit testing and training shall be cleaned and disinfected after each use. 3. Ensure that respirators are stored as follows: a. All respirators must be stored to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals. In addition, respirators will be packed or stored to prevent deformation of the facepiece and exhalation valve. b. Emergency respirators must be kept accessible (in the work area), stored in compartments or in covers (clearly marked as containing emergency respirators), and stored according to the manufacturer’s instructions 4. Ensure that respirators are inspected as follows: a. All respirators used in routine situations must be inspected before each use and during cleaning. b. All emergency respirators must be inspected at least monthly, inspected according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and must be checked for proper function before and after each use. 5. Ensure that respirator inspection includes the following: a. A check of respirator function, tightness of connections, and condition of various parts (face piece, head straps, valves, connecting tube, cartridges, canisters or filters). b. A check of elastomeric parts for pliability and signs of deterioration. c. SCBA and SAR units must be inspected monthly. d. Air and oxygen cylinders must be maintained as fully charged and must be refilled at 90% of manufacturer’s recommended pressure. e. Regulator and warning devices function properly. 6. Ensure that respirators that fail an inspection or are defective are removed from service, discarded, or repaired in accordance with the following: a. Only properly trained personnel make repairs or adjustments andonly the respirator manufacturer’s NIOSH-approved parts are used. b. Repairs or adjustments are made according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and specifications. c. Reducing and admission valves, regulators, and alarms are 7  adjusted and repaired only by manufacturers or a technician trained by the manufacturer. F. Breathing Air Quality and Use 1. Ensure that compressed air, compressed oxygen, liquid air, and liquid oxygen used for respirators meet the following: a. Compressed and liquid oxygen meets Pharmacopoeia requirements for medical or breathing oxygen. b. Compressed air must be at least Type 1-Grade D breathing air according to ANSI/Compressed Gas Association Commodity Specification for Air, G-7.1-1989. 2. Ensure that compressed oxygen is not used in atmosphere-supplying respirators that previously used compressed air. 3. Ensure that oxygen concentrations greater than 23.5% are used only in equipment designed for oxygen service and distribution. 4. Ensure that cylinders used to supply breathing air to respirators meet the following: a. Cylinders are tested and maintained according to ShippingContainer Specification Regulations of the Department of Transportation (49 CFR part 173 and part 178). b. Cylinders of purchased breathing air have a certificate of analysis for Type 1-Grade D. c. The moisture content in the cylinder does not exceed a dew point of –40 degrees F at 1 atmosphere. 5. Ensure that compressors used to supply breathing air to respirators are constructed to: a. Prevent entry of contaminated air. b. Minimize moisture content so that the dew point at 1 atmosphere is 10 degrees F below the ambient temperature. c. Are equipped with in-line-air purifying sorbent beds or filters. The sorbent beds or filters must be maintained and replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. d. Have a tag containing the most recent change date and person authorized to complete this change. The tag must be maintained on the compressor. 6. For oil-lubricated compressors, ensure that a high-temperature or carbon monoxide alarm (or both) is used to monitor carbon monoxide levels. If only a high-pressure alarm is used, the air supply will be monitored at intervals sufficient to have carbon monoxide levels below 10 ppm. 8  7. Ensure that breathing gas containers are marked according to NIOSH 42 CFR part 84. G. Identification of Filters, Cartridges, and Canisters Ensure that all filters, cartridges, and canisters are labeled and color coded with the NIOSH approved label and that the label is not removed and remains legible. H. Training and Information 1. Ensure that each employee can demonstrate the following: a. Why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the unit. b. What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are. c. How to effectively use the respirator in emergency situations and respirator malfunction. d. How to inspect, put on and remove, and check the seals of the respirator. e. What the guidelines are for maintenance and storage of the respirator. f. How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit the effective use of the respirator. g. The general requirements of this section. 2. The training must be conducted in a manner that is understandable to the employee. 3. The training must be completed prior to requiring the employee to use the respirator in the workplace. 4. Retraining must be completed annually and when the following situations occur: a. A change in the workplace or the type of respirator training is obsolete. b. Inadequacies in the employee’s knowledge or use of the respirator indicate that the employee has not retained the understanding or skill. c. Any other situation arises in which retraining appears necessary to ensure safe respirator use. 5. The basic advisory information on respirators in Appendix D of OSHA 1910.134 must be presented (in any written or oral form) to employees who wear respirators. 9 I. Program Evaluation 1. Conduct evaluations of the workplace and consult employees to ensure that the program is effective and that respirators are being worn properly. 2. Regularly consult employees (required to wear respirators) on the following factors: a. Respirator fit and ability to use the respirator without interfering with effective workplace performance. b. Appropriate respirator selection for the hazards, which theemployee is exposed. c. Proper respirator use under workplace conditions. d. Proper respirator maintenance. J. Recordkeeping 1. Retain records of medical evaluations and fit testing results (required by 1910.134 and 1910.1020) for at least 5 years. 2. Retain a written copy of the current respiratory protection program and all previous respiratory protection programs covering the previous 5 years. 3. Make all retained written materials available upon request to affected employees and to the Administration or designee for examination and copying. EXCEPTIONS REFERENCES Appendix D of OSHA 1910.134 Appendix D of OSHA 1910.1020 NIOSH 42 CFR part 84. DEFINITIONS End of Document 10