Introduction

Every tissue in the human body needs oxygen in order to function. The respiratory system is made up of air passages, pulmonary vessels, the lungs, and breathing muscles; provides oxygenated blood to the body tissues; warms and humidifies the air humans breathe; and removes carbon dioxide and other waste gases from the body. Respiratory hazards can be found in many industries and in many forms, and exposure to these hazards in industrial settings can lead to lifelong debilitation or death. However, proper planning, the use of respirators, and the implementation of a respiratory protection plan can keep fatalities and sicknesses due to hazardous atmospheres to a minimum.

The goal of this course is to help you understand the atmospheric hazards you may encounter in the workplace and the best ways to protect yourself. We will discuss how to select the right respirator for the job; how to make sure a respirator fit properly; how to keep respirators clean, disinfected, and in good repair; and the medical evaluations that may be necessary to monitor and protect the health of workers. This course will also provide an overview of the California general-industry respiratory protection standard.

To learn more about Respiratory Protection visit our Cal/OSHA Respiratory Protection Online Training web page.