Respirator Cleaning

Employers must oversee respirator cleaning and disinfecting. These operations must occur "as often as necessary to keep them sanitary." Employers must also make sure that emergency-use respirators are cleaned and disinfected immediately after every use.

Respirators should be washed in a detergent solution. They must then be disinfected via immersion in a sanitizing solution. Note: These strong cleaning and sanitizing agents often damage a respirator's rubber or plastic parts. Use these materials with caution. Better yet, consult the respirator manufacturer for cleaning and disinfecting recommendations.

Cleaning Instructions per 1910.134 Appendix B

1. Remove filters, cartridges, or canisters. Disassemble facepieces by removing speaking diaphragms, demand and pressure-demand valve assemblies, hoses, or any components recommended by the manufacturer. Discard or repair any defective parts.
2. Wash components in warm (43 °C [110 °F] maximum) water with a mild detergent or with a cleaner recommended by the manufacturer. A stiff bristle (not wire) brush may be used to facilitate the removal of dirt.
3. Rinse components thoroughly in clean, warm (43 °C [110 °F] maximum), preferably running water. Drain.
4. When the cleaner used does not contain a disinfecting agent, respirator components should be immersed for two minutes in one of the following:
   1. Hypochlorite solution (50 ppm of chlorine) made by adding approximately one milliliter of laundry bleach to one liter of water at 43 °C (110 °F); or,
   2. Aqueous solution of iodine (50 ppm iodine) made by adding approximately 0.8 milliliters of tincture of iodine (6-8 grams ammonium and/or potassium iodide/100 cc of 45% alcohol) to one liter of water at 43 °C (110 °F); or,
   3. Other commercially available cleansers of equivalent disinfectant quality when used as directed, if their use is recommended or approved by the respirator manufacturer.
5. Rinse components thoroughly in clean, warm (43 °C [110 °F] maximum), preferably running water. Drain. The importance of thorough rinsing cannot be overemphasized. Detergents or disinfectants that dry on facepieces may result in dermatitis. In addition, some disinfectants may cause deterioration of rubber or corrosion of metal parts if not completely removed.
6. Components should be hand-dried with a clean lint-free cloth or air-dried.
7. Reassemble facepiece, replacing filters, cartridges, and canisters where necessary.
8. Test the respirator to ensure that all components work properly.

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