Specific Uses

If respirators are being used to protect against gases and vapors, employers must provide either a supplied-air respirator or an air-purifying respirator. If using an air-purifying respirator, it must be equipped with an end-of-service-life indicator (ESLI) certified by NIOSH to alert the user when a canister or cartridge is nearing the end of its usefulness. If no ESLI is available for the current hazard, the employer must implement a schedule for changing canisters or cartridges before the end of their service life. This schedule must be based on objective data to ensure that no equipment is in use past its usefulness. This schedule must be included in the written respiratory protection program.

If respirators are being used to protect against particulates such as dust or fibers, employers must provide either a supplied-air respirator or an air-purifying respirator. If using an air-purifying respirator, it must be equipped with a NIOSH certified high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter or one otherwise certified for particulates by NIOSH.

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