We have only provided nuisance dust masks in the past. I have recently had an expert from a local college come and give our plant a review. We do not have any hazards that require respirators, but she gave me a copy of a VOLUNTARY RESPIRATOR PROGRAM and said this would let us buy N95 at the local hardware store.
Can we also use R95, P95, N100, and P100 in our voluntary program?
Are all disposable dust masks in compliance with the Voluntary Respirator Program?
Is anything I buy at the hardware store going to comply with the Voluntary Respirator Program?
My question: What respirators can be used under a Volunteer Respirator Program? Does anyone know of a list somewhere?
Thanks!!
P.S. Oops, I originally posted this in the wrong forum, sorry for the duplication.
From United States, Birmingham
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Can we also use R95, P95, N100, and P100 in our voluntary program?
Are all disposable dust masks in compliance with the Voluntary Respirator Program?
Is anything I buy at the hardware store going to comply with the Voluntary Respirator Program?
My question: What respirators can be used under a Volunteer Respirator Program? Does anyone know of a list somewhere?
Thanks!!
P.S. Oops, I originally posted this in the wrong forum, sorry for the duplication.
From United States, Birmingham
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@ Mary Leah Clark
I may not be able to answer your query fully. However, have a look into the attachment. It's a good write-up regarding RESPIRATORY PROTECTION. Maybe this will help you. Looking forward to hearing your comments and hope you will actively participate in the forum discussions.
From India
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730I may not be able to answer your query fully. However, have a look into the attachment. It's a good write-up regarding RESPIRATORY PROTECTION. Maybe this will help you. Looking forward to hearing your comments and hope you will actively participate in the forum discussions.
From India
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Dear Mary Leah Clark,
You have clearly mentioned that there is no health hazard requiring the use of respirators. Your expert advised voluntary use of respirators, which establishes that there is an existence of a health hazard though below the PEL.
Now:
1. Do you know where N95 air purifying respirators are to be used?
2. Do you know where R95, P95, N100, and P100 respirators are to be used?
Using a respirator may place a physiological burden on employees. It varies with the type of respirator worn, the job and workplace conditions in which the respirator is used, and the medical status of the employee. However, in principle, the company has to conduct a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator before the employee is allowed to use the respirator in the workplace.
When an expert has opined to use an N95 respirator, use only N95. The type of contaminant is different for N95 and R95; as such, you may refrain from using R95. N100 or P100 is to be used where the contaminant is 10 times more than the PEL, and as such, never resort to using it.
Even in a voluntary respirator program, a competent person has to choose the right type of respirator. All disposable dust masks may not be in compliance with the VRP. One has to choose appropriate respirators satisfying the requirement, and for that reason, one must be competent enough with respirators. "Anything" that you get from the hardware store may not be the right one.
Wearing an inappropriate respirator will not give the desired protection. It also provides a false sense of protection, which is more dangerous than not using any.
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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You have clearly mentioned that there is no health hazard requiring the use of respirators. Your expert advised voluntary use of respirators, which establishes that there is an existence of a health hazard though below the PEL.
Now:
1. Do you know where N95 air purifying respirators are to be used?
2. Do you know where R95, P95, N100, and P100 respirators are to be used?
Using a respirator may place a physiological burden on employees. It varies with the type of respirator worn, the job and workplace conditions in which the respirator is used, and the medical status of the employee. However, in principle, the company has to conduct a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator before the employee is allowed to use the respirator in the workplace.
When an expert has opined to use an N95 respirator, use only N95. The type of contaminant is different for N95 and R95; as such, you may refrain from using R95. N100 or P100 is to be used where the contaminant is 10 times more than the PEL, and as such, never resort to using it.
Even in a voluntary respirator program, a competent person has to choose the right type of respirator. All disposable dust masks may not be in compliance with the VRP. One has to choose appropriate respirators satisfying the requirement, and for that reason, one must be competent enough with respirators. "Anything" that you get from the hardware store may not be the right one.
Wearing an inappropriate respirator will not give the desired protection. It also provides a false sense of protection, which is more dangerous than not using any.
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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Dear Mary Leah Clark,
I missed answering your question, "What respirators can be used under a Volunteer Respirator Program? Does anyone know of a list somewhere?"
There is no differentiation. The same respirator that is recommended for regular use based on HAZ.COM by a competent person only is used in the VOLUNTARY RESPIRATOR PROGRAM as well. You can find the contaminant in your work environment and choose the appropriate respirator. In case you mention your process, chemicals used, possible contaminants, and whether air sampling was done, and if so, its results, we will be able to advise you on exactly what type of respirator can be effective.
Regards, Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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I missed answering your question, "What respirators can be used under a Volunteer Respirator Program? Does anyone know of a list somewhere?"
There is no differentiation. The same respirator that is recommended for regular use based on HAZ.COM by a competent person only is used in the VOLUNTARY RESPIRATOR PROGRAM as well. You can find the contaminant in your work environment and choose the appropriate respirator. In case you mention your process, chemicals used, possible contaminants, and whether air sampling was done, and if so, its results, we will be able to advise you on exactly what type of respirator can be effective.
Regards, Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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E compliance.pdf
Statutory Compliance of a Industrial or Commercial Unit.xls