Other Quality Measures

Employers must do a few additional things to ensure breathing air quality:

• If breathing air is being compressed on-site using an air compressor, the employer must ensure that carbon monoxide levels in the resulting breathing air remain below 10 parts per million.
• All oil lubricated air compressors must be used with a high-temperature alarm or carbon monoxide alarm.
• Breathing air couplings must be incompatible with outlets for non-breathable gases to prevent workers from accidentally using the wrong cylinder. No asphyxiating substances may be introduced into the breathing air lines.
• Air cylinders, filters, canisters, and cartridges should be marked with a label that includes the following:
  • The word "NIOSH"
  • The manufacturer's name and part number
  • An abbreviation to indicate the type of filter, canister, cartridge, or cylinder
  This label should not be removed and should remain legible.

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