Written Respiratory Protection Program

The written respiratory protection program is designed to make sure that both employers and employees know the risks involved in the workplace and the best ways to protect against those risks. A written respiratory program must be administered by someone with sufficient training to address the complexities of the program and evaluate its effectiveness. The program must include the following:

• Procedures for selecting respirators for each job or area
• Medical evaluations for employees using respirators
• Fit-testing procedures for tight-fitting respirators
• Procedures for using respirators in normal and emergency situations
• Procedures and a schedule for cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, discarding, and otherwise maintaining respirators
• Procedures to ensure proper air quality and air flow in atmosphere-supplying respirators
• Training of employees who must use respirators
• Procedures for evaluating the effectiveness of the respiratory protection program

Training, medical evaluations, and respirators must be provided at no cost to employees.

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