Respiratory Protection

General Information

It is the policy of the University to provide a safe and healthful work environment free from recognized hazards.   The Respiratory Protection Program is designed to help lower worker exposures to hazardous airborne contaminants and oxygen deficiency.  Respiratory protection should only be used when engineering controls have been shown to be infeasible for the control of the hazard or during the interim period when engineering controls are being installed.  Once respiratory protection is determined to be necessary, the University must follow all requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134.

What is Respiratory Protection?

Respiratory protection includes devices that will protect the wearer's respiratory system from overexposure by inhalation to airborne contaminants. Respiratory protection is used when a worker must work in an area where he/she might be exposed to concentration in excess of the allowable exposure limit.

The Department of Environmental Health and Safety at Wright State administers a respiratory protection program to protect employees against recognized occupational hazards.  This written OSHA-regulated program covers the following:

• Procedures for selecting respirators

• Medical evaluations for respirator users

• Fit testing procedures for tight-fitting respirators

• Procedures and schedules for cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, discarding and maintaining respirators for proper use during routine and emergency situations

• Procedures for ensuring adequate air quality, quantity and flow of breathing air for atmosphere-supplying respirators

• Training on respiratory hazards to which the user may be potentially exposed

• Training on proper use and maintenance of respirators, including putting on and removing them, limitations on their use, and maintenance

• Procedures for regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the respirator program

For More Information

Read the Wright State University Respiratory Protection Policy (below).

U.S. Department of Labor Resources

• You Tube Channel has two (2) videos developed by OSHA (in English and Spanish) on the differences between respirators and surgical masks and the correct procedure for donning and doffing a respirator to protect against airborne contaminants in the workplace.

Respirator Safety  GREAT VIDEO!

The Difference between Respirators and Surgical Masks

OSHA Resources:

Training Materials

Respirator Standard [PPT - 6.8 MB]

Major Requirements of OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard [PDF - 309 KB]

Frequently Asked Questions [PDF - 820 KB]

Additional Resources

Respiratory Protection.  29 CFR 1910.134

Respiratory Protection. OSHA eTool.

Respiratory Protection. OSHA Safety and Health Topics page.

Respirator Change-Out Schedules. OSHA

Small Entity Compliance Guide. OSHA Publication.

OSHA’s Frequently Asked Questions About Respiratory Protection

OSHA Technical Manual.

If you want to wear a respirator for "comfort" reasons (as opposed to a documented hazard) please read Wright State’s  Voluntary Respirator Use Information sheet below.

If you have questions concerning respirators, respirator use, or to schedule a fit test, please contact Marjorie Markopoulos at 775-2797 or the EHS Office at 775-2215  

Policy
Seal Check
Voluntary Usage
Voluntary Respirator Form