Respiratory Protection Program

Introduction

Every Old Dominion University employee who wears respiratory protection must participate in the Respiratory Protection Program. Detailed information about the Respiratory Protection Program can be found on our website under "Programs" or follow this link:

http://www.odu.edu/af/ehs/about/RespiratoryProtectionProgram_Apr2011.pdf

The use of any and all types of respirators (Dust masks, N95's Half-Face) at Old Dominion University is subject to review and approval by EHS prior to use. No employee should wear a respirator unless they have been through EHS's respiratory protection program. The OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard regulates any use of respiratory protection.

Respirator Users - Instructions for Obtaining Respirators

Medical Qualification

You will receive a Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire from EHS. Please answer all of the questions on the Questionnaire, even if you feel that they may not apply to you.

Please place the Questionnaire in the provided "CONFIDENTIAL" self-addressed envelope. Please seal the envelope and give it to your supervisor or mail to NowCare.

When EH&S receives a Medical Clearance Form from NowCare, your supervisor will be contacted to arrange for the respirator training and fit-testing. You must have a respirator medical clearance before you can be trained and fit-tested for a respirator.

Training and Fit-Testing

Training and fit testing are required annually. You will learn which respirator to wear for protection against various airborne hazards. EHS will contact you to schedule respirator training and fit-testing. The training will last approximately 1 hour. The fit-testing will last approximately 15 - 30 minutes per person.

• Respirator training is required before initial use and at least annually after that. Retraining is also required if new hazards are introduced or if it appears that the user has not retained the skill necessary for safe respirator use. Supervisors should attend as well.
• Beards and other facial hair can interfere with the proper fit of tight-fitting respirators. Bearded individuals will not be fitted with any respirator that requires fit-testing. However, mustaches trimmed inside the laugh lines may not interfere with the seal and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• Training includes information on the use, donning, doffing, limitations, cartridge selection, maintenance, and care of respirators.

If you have a respirator already, bring it to the fit-testing appointment. If you do not have a respirator, do NOT buy one before you come to the training. You will be fit-tested with different models and sizes to ensure that you are provided with a respirator that is best for you.

You must be clean-shaven to wear a tight-fitting (N95, Half-face) respirator because facial hair can interfere with the seal of your respirator. Mustaches inside the laugh lines may not interfere and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. You will be provided with a Respirator Authorization form after fit-testing. This form will identify the manufacturer, model, type, and size respirator(s) for which you were trained and fit-tested.

Obtaining Respirators

Old Dominion University purchases respiratory protection equipment for employees. You can wear only the type, model, and size of respiratory protection equipment for which you have been trained and fitted as indicated on your Respirator Authorization Form. Any concerns with the use or fit of a respirator should be immediately reported to your supervisor.  It is up to your department to purchase the respirators, replacement cartridges and accessories or replacement pieces. 

Respirator Use

• Use only the brand, model, and size respirator for which you were fitted. Inspect the respirator and parts prior to donning.
• For tight-fit respirators, perform negative and positive-pressure fit checks each time the respirator is worn.
• Use the cartridges recommended for the air contaminant involved. Contact EHS if you are uncertain about which respirator or cartridges is appropriate for a specific contaminant.
• Be aware that a respirator has limitations that govern its ability to protect you.
• Maintain the respirator in a sanitary condition.
• Follow manufacturer instructions.
• Notify your supervisor if you detect increased breathing resistance, an odor or taste, or experience throat irritation.