Components of a Respiratory Program

A respiratory protection program includes the following components and requirements:

• Installing engineering controls, whenever possible
• Management-provided respiratory protection when engineering controls are not possible
• Proper selection of an appropriate respirator approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Using and maintaining employee respiratory protection equipment
• Fit testing
• Medical evaluations
• Work area surveillance
• Air quality standards
• Training employees on all aspects of the respiratory protection program
• Written worksite specific procedures
• Program evaluation

Employee training must ensure employees understand one important concept: A respirator does not eliminate the hazard. If the respirator fails to function properly, the user will most certainly experience exposure to harmful contaminants. Therefore, it is vital that employees understand proper fit and know how to maintain and test their equipment. It is also vital that employees understand that they must never remove respirators, even in times of discomfort, while in areas of contamination.

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