3M Respirator Training and Qualitative Fit Testing Protocol

OSHA regulations require employers to train and fit test employees who use respiratory protection during
the course of their workday. OSHA requires that each employee must be medically evaluated before the employee
is fit tested. In summary employers must:

1. Maintain a written respiratory protection program with worksite specific procedures for fit testing and training.
2. Provide instruction on the respiratory hazards to which the workers are potentially exposed during routine and emergency
situations.
3. Provide instruction on the uses and limitations of all respirators worn in the work area.
4. Instruct and demonstrate to employees how to properly don and adjust any respirators worn according to the manufacturers’
instructions.
5. Allow the employees an opportunity to practice these procedures.
6. Provide user seal check instructions.
7. Fit test each employee to be assigned a respirator.
8. Instruct the employees in the procedures for the maintenance and storage of the respirators being used.
9. Inform the employees how to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of the respirators.
10. Document the successful completion of training and fit testing for all employees wearing respirators.

Step 1
Maintaining a Written Program
OSHA requires that the employer for any facility that uses respirators maintain written procedures, specific to each workplace, documenting respirator use practices. Following the guidelines listed in the 3M Administrative Respiratory Protection Program or in 3M Respirator Compliance Software can satisfy this requirement.

SUPPORT MATERIAL:
• 3M “Administrative Respiratory Protection Program” brochure
• 3M Respirator Compliance Software

Step 2
Instruction on Health Effects of Respiratory Hazards
The material safety data sheets for the chemicals in the workplace should be used to provide information on the health effects and hazards for those materials. Instruction must be performed on the respiratory hazards to which the workers are potentially exposed during routine and emergency situations. The training on hazardous chemicals required by the Hazard Communication standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, meets this requirement. However, if the respiratory hazard is exempt from the Hazard Communication rule (e.g., biological and radioactive hazards), training on these hazards must be completed. Annual training on the respiratory hazards is required. The employees should be told why the respirator is necessary.

SUPPORT MATERIAL:
• Material Safety Data Sheets

Step 3
Instruction on Uses and Limitations
All respirators have use limitations. There is not one all-purpose respirator. Your company selected the respirators for your work environment on which you will be trained. The easiest way to review the uses and limitations of the respirator is to read the respirator instructions that come with each respirator package. The NIOSH approval label also provides some of this information. The effect of improper respirator fit, usage or maintenance will be explained. For respirators other than SCBA or combination airline respirator/SCBA, the employee will exit the contaminated area in all respirator emergency situations, including respirator malfunction.

SUPPORT MATERIAL:
• “Animated Guide to Respiratory Protection” Video
• Respirator packaging
• Respirator approval label

Step 4
Donning Instructions and Demonstrations
A respirator must be put on and worn properly if it is to fit and offer effective protection. Always inspect your respirator prior to donning. Donning instructions, which are found on or in each 3M respirator package, should be fully explained and demonstrated to the wearer.

SUPPORT MATERIAL:
• Respirator fitting posters if available
• Respirator packaging
• Appropriate respirator fitting instructions video(s)

Step 5
Practice Donning Respirators
Once proper donning and adjustment procedures have been demonstrated, each employee will complete the same procedure as the trainer talks the employee through the directions. The employees must be medically evaluated before donning the respirator and being fit tested.

SUPPORT MATERIAL:
• Sufficient respirators for each employee receiving instruction.

Step 6
User Seal Check
At this point, all employees should be wearing a respirator. Instruct the employees on how to conduct a user seal check. A user seal check is a method of determining if the respirator has been put on properly and has been fitted properly. A user seal check must be conducted each time the respirator is put on. Refer to user seal check procedures on each respirator package. (User seal checks are sometimes referred to as positive pressure and negative pressure fit checks.) When the employees have completed the user seal check procedure, the instructor should ask, “Does anyone feel any leakage around the seal of the respirator?” If so, the wearer should review donning instructions, make adjustments to the fit, and perform the user seal check again. If a proper fit cannot be accomplished, the wearer must select another respirator and repeat the user seal check procedure.

SUPPORT MATERIAL:
• Fit posters
• Respirator package
• Appropriate respirator fitting instructions video(s)

Step 7
Fit Testing
Fit Testing must be conducted according to the instructions included in the 3M™ FT-10, FT-20, or FT-30 Qualitative Fit Test Kit. Persons unable to pass the fit test must select an alternate respirator.

SUPPORT MATERIAL:
• 3M FT-10, FT-20, or FT-30 Qualitative Fit Test kit
• 3M Fit Testing Video
• See the Fit Test Appendix of 29 CFR 1910.134

Step 8
Respirator Maintenance
Employees who will be responsible for the maintenance of their own respirators must be instructed in the applicable cleaning, inspection, repair, and storage procedures. Disposable respirators may simply be thrown away.

SUPPORT MATERIAL:
• Respirator instruction manual

Step 9
Medical Signs and Symptoms
The medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent effective use of the respirator, listed on the medical questionnaire of 1910.134 Appendix C, must be explained.

SUPPORT MATERIAL:
• Medical questionnaire from Appendix C of 1910.134

Step 10
Training Documentation
OSHA requires that employers keep written documentation of all employees that are fit tested. Use the 3M Respirator Training Attendance Roster, the 3M Administrative Respiratory Protection Program, or 3M Respirator Compliance Software to facilitate record keeping.

SUPPORT MATERIAL:
• Respirator Training Program Attendance Roster
• 3M Respirator Training Certificate
• 3M “Administrative Respiratory Protection Program” brochure
• 3M Respirator Compliance Software

Conclusion
If employees can demonstrate knowledge of the information conveyed in these ten steps, you will have conducted a respirator training session that meets existing OSHA requirements.

For more information see the following:
1. "Inspection Procedures for the Respiratory Protection Standard", Directive Number: CPL 2.120. U.S. DOL/OSHA: Washington, D.C. September 18, 1998.

2. "Questions and Answers on the Respiratory Protection Standard", Memorandum to All Regional Administrators,
John B. Miles, U.S. DOL/ OSHA: Washington, D.C. August 3, 1998 (revised August 17, 1998).

3. "Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Revised Respiratory Protection Standard, U.S. DOL/OSHA: Washington,
D.C. September 30, 1998.

These documents and additional information are available on the OSHA website; www.osha.gov.

When you follow this ten-step protocol and use the listed materials, you will have met current OSHA respirator training and qualitative fit testing requirements. If you have any questions on these requirements or the frequency of fit testing, contact your Calolympic Safety Representative at 1-800-421-6630.