If you are offering Respirators to your employee, you must comply with Respirator regulatory requirements, including:

• A written Respirator Program on site;
• Annual Training and fit testing for all employees who wear a respirator; and,
• Medical clearance of all employees before they use respirators (can be done through written questionnaires).

Typically, respirators are worn to protect against occupational diseases caused by breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors. OSHA (29 CFR § 1910.94/134 and in California 8 CCR § 5144) requires respirators whenever exposure to hazardous materials exceeds OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits and employers are required to implement a Respiratory Protection Program. The program will identify and evaluate the respiratory hazards and provide respirator assignments to employees.

If there is a potential that exposure may exceed PELs, OSHA does require facilities to conduct air monitoring to determine actual exposure levels.

Pacific Management Services can provide air monitoring, develop respirator programs, and conduct training. Contact our office for more information.