TITLE:	ES&H Manual
DOCUMENT ID:	6630 Respiratory Protection Program

1.0 Purpose

Jefferson Lab has established this comprehensive Respiratory Protection Program to ensure individuals, exposed to workplace air contaminants, are provided adequate respiratory protection. Using less harmful materials is the preferred methods for mitigating this type of hazard; however, when respirator protection is necessary the responsibilities and procedures included within this program are followed.

Jefferson Lab’s Industrial Hygiene Department is responsible for the necessary and effective management of the Respiratory Protection Program. Specific procedures, required to be performed by trained individuals, can be found within the ES&H Manual Industrial Hygiene Supplement – Section 400 IH Aspects of Respiratory Protection. The program, taken in its entirety, effectively reduces, or eliminates, exposure to respiratory hazards.

This program satisfies applicable federal, state, and local requirements as outlined in ES&H Manual Chapter 2410 Appendix T1 Hazard Issues List.

2.0 Scope

Jefferson Lab uses the following resources to determine acceptable exposure limit standards:

· Threshold Limit Values (TLV) established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH),

· Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) established by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and

· Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) established by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Respirators are required when engineering controls or material substitution cannot eliminate the air contamination hazard, or when an individual requests additional protection[1].

Only NIOSH approved respirators are issued for use at Jefferson Lab.

3.0 Responsibilities

NOTE: Management authority may be delegated at the discretion of the responsible manager.

3.1 Anyone at Jefferson Lab

· Request an equipment/area hazard evaluation from Industrial Hygiene if you have concerns regarding air quality.

· Utilize engineering controls as recommended/required to maintain air quality.

· Perform process steps outlined within this program to obtain a respirator as required, or for voluntary use.

· Obtain Occupational Medicine approval for respirator use, if required.

3.2 Qualified Respiratory Users

· Complete and maintain appropriate medical monitoring and training requirements:

o SAF109 - Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Requirements (SCBA) training.

o SAF200 - Air Purifying Respirators

o SAF210 - Escape Pack Training

· Use assigned respirator in accordance with training and only for the function it was approved for.

· Maintain the respirator in accordance with manufacturer’s requirements.

· Return the respirator to Industrial Hygiene when no longer necessary.

3.3 Supervisor/Subcontracting Officer’s Technical Representative (SOTR)/Sponsor

· Only authorize Qualified Respiratory Workers for work requiring a respirator.

· Assess air quality issues whenever evaluating or implementing new work procedures.

· Request periodic air monitoring for processes which generate air contaminants and implement recommended mitigation.

3.4 Industrial Hygiene

· Perform air monitoring evaluations when requested, or when identified.

· Provide respirators/SCBAs equipment and training as required.

· Review Jefferson Lab’s respirator protection program. Minimally ensure it complies with OSHA and ACGIH requirements.

4.0 Expectations

4.1 Engineering Controls

Whenever respiratory hazards cannot feasibly be mitigated by material substitution, engineering controls are the preferred method. ES&H Manual Chapter 6630 Appendix T1 Engineering Controls – Local and Portable Exhaust Systems provides how to determine if an engineering control is required; appropriate use parameters; and repair, maintenance, and inspection schedules.

4.2 Respirator Use and Approval Requirements

Respirators are used at Jefferson Lab when material substitution or engineering controls are not adequate to mitigate air contaminants to an acceptable level. ES&H Manual Chapter 6630 Appendix T2 Respirator Use and Approval Requirements provides the process step used to determine if a respirator is required; if required how to determine the appropriate type; and how to obtain medical monitoring, training, and a fit test. Anyone may, at any time, request to use a respirator on a voluntary basis; however they must complete the process steps listed as if it were required, prior to use.

5.0 References

· OSHA 29 CFR 1910

· American National Standard for Respiratory Protection Z88.2

· American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Value Booklet

· Industrial Ventilation, A Manual of Recommended Practice, 26th edition

6.0 Revision Summary

Revision 1 – 08/11/2011 – Updated to reflect current laboratory operations.

ISSUING AUTHORITY	TECHNICAL POINT-OF-CONTACT	APPROVAL DATE	EXPIRATION DATE	REV.
ESH&Q Division	Jennifer Williams	08/12/11	Annual Review	1

This document is controlled as an on line file. It may be printed but the print copy is not a controlled document. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that the document is the same revision as the current on line file. This copy was printed on 8/12/2011.

---

[1] Anyone requesting to use a respirator, on a voluntary basis, must complete the process steps within this program as if it were required, up to and including supervisor and medical approval.