Policy 3-17 RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM

Section 3 Personnel

DISTRIBUTION All Departments

DATE: March 31, 2000

SUBJECT: Respiratory Protection Program

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Purpose of Policy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....2

Background. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..2

Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..2

Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Part

I Responsibilities. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..2

II Respirator Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

III Distribution of Respirators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

IV Medical Evaluations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

V Fit Testing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

VI Use of Respirators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . . . 9

VII Maintenance and Care of Respirator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 12

VIII Breathing Air Quality and Use. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 14

IX Identification of Cartridges and Canisters. . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . .14

X Training and Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

XI Program Evaluation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

XII Record Keeping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Recision. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

APPENDIXES

Appendix A - OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134, Respiratory Protection Standard

Appendix B - Respirator Decision Logic Sequence

Appendix C - Cartridge/Canister Color Codes

Appendix D - Respiratory Protection Medical Evaluation Report (Form)

Appendix E - Respirator Fit Test Record

Appendix F - Respirator Inspection and Maintenance Requirements

Appendix G - Job Tasks Requiring Respiratory Protection

Purpose: The primary goal of this policy is to control occupational diseases caused by breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays or vapors so that employees may return home from work safe and healthy.

The City of Lawton will use engineering controls (controlling the hazard at the source, confinement of the operation, natural and pressurized ventilation, etc.) work practices (limiting the number of City employees in the hazard area, limiting amount of time employees spend in the atmosphere, etc.), and personal protective equipment (Atmosphere-supplying respirators and air-purifying respirators) to eliminate or lessen the risk of exposure.

This program is designed to ensure the protection of all employees from respiratory hazards which they may encounter during the course of their employment through the use of respirators, and to meet the requirements of the United State Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134.

Background: City employees perform a variety of tasks where exposure to hazardous environments require the use of respiratory protection. Such exposures include smoke (firefighters), "tear" gas (police officers), chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, paints, herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals or chemical compounds. Although the City has provided respirators for employee use, standardized procedures have not been in effect to ensure that the respirators or filter elements provided were appropriate for the hazardous atmospheres encountered; employees were medically fit to wear respirators while working; the respirators fit the wearers and were worn properly, or respirators were being properly cleaned, sanitized, maintained, required or replaced.

Changes to OSHA regulations 29 CRF 1910.134, in 1998 required that a written respiratory protection program be in effect on or before April 5, 1999.

Definitions: The meaning of terms used in this program are as defined in Paragraph B of OSHA 29 CRF 1910.134, Respiratory Protection. A copy of 29 CFR 1910.134 is included in this program as Appendix A.

Procedures: Part I - Responsibilities:

A. The Safety and Risk Officer and program coordinators designated for each department or division where respiratory protection is provided for use by assigned employees shall be the respiratory protection program administrators and are responsible for:

(1) Ensuring that federal, state and local regulations are followed concerning the use of respirators.

(2) Determining the need for respirators in the workplace.

(3) Selection of the proper respirators for the hazards.

(4) Providing surveillance of work are conditions.

(5) Periodically evaluating the respiratory protection program.

(6) Regularly consulting employees required to use respirators to assess employees views and identify any problems to include:

a. Respirator fit while working

b. Appropriate respirator selection for the hazards

c. Proper respirator use under the workplace conditions the employee encounters

d. Proper respirator maintenance

(7) Ensuring the implementation of a respiratory training program.

(8) Administering the overall program.

B. Department directors and division supervisors are responsible for:

(1) Ensuring that respirators are available as needed.

(2) Ensuring that employees wear respirators as required

(3) Ensuring the respirators are properly used, maintained, cleaned, stored and ready for use.

(4) Ensuring that each employee required to use respirators receive the medical evaluation, fit testing, and training specified in this program.

(5) Designating a Department or Division Respiratory Protection Program Coordinator(s) to assist the Safety and Risk Officer administering the Respiratory Protection Program.

(6) Assisting the Safety and Risk Officer in (respiratory) risk assessment of employee work sites.

C. Every employee is responsible for:

(1) Proper use of the appropriate respirator as determined by a fit test and in accordance with instructions and training. Employees shall only wear the type, style and size of respirator for which they have been fit tested within the past year.

(2) Inspecting the respirator periodically and before each use.

(3) Performing (positive and negative ) face piece seal checks prior to each use.

(4) Making certain that filters and cartridges are adequate for the hazard.

(5) Leaving a contaminated area immediately if they suspect a problem with their respirator or fell any discomfort.

(6) Protecting the respirator against deterioration and damage.

(7) Cleaning, disinfecting, inspecting, and storing the respirator after each use.

(8) Reporting respirator malfunctions to supervisors.

PART II. RESPIRATOR (ATMOSPHERE-SUPPLYING AND AIR PURIFYING RESPIRATOR) SELECTION:

A. Respirators shall be selected by the Respiratory Protection Program Administrators based on the biological, chemical and physical properties of the contaminant, as well as the toxicity and concentration of the hazardous material and the amount of oxygen present. The "Respirator Decision Logic Sequence" (Appendix B) will be used in the selection of appropriate respirators.

B. Respirator use factors such as the nature and extent of the hazard, work rate, area to be covered, mobility, work requirements and conditions, as well as the limitations and characteristics of the available respirators are also selection factors.

C. Respirators for atmospheres considered to be immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) shall meet at least one of the following:

NOTE: IDLH means an atmosphere that poses an immediate threat to life, which would cause irreversible adverse health effects, or would impair an individual's ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere. IDLH atmospheres include unknown atmospheres and oxygen deficient atmospheres.

1. Be a full face piece positive pressure SCBA certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for a minimum service life of thirty minutes.

2. A combination full face piece positive pressure umbilical supplied-air respirator (SAR) with auxiliary self-contained air supply.

3. Respirators provided only for escape from IDLH atmospheres shall be full face piece and NIOSH-certified for escape from the atmosphere in which they will be used.

D. All air purifying respirators used for gases and vapors will have an ESLI (End of Service Life Indicator) or a respirator canister and cartridges change schedule will be used. Each individual department or division where a canister and/or cartridge change schedule is required will include it in the "Job Task Requiring Respiratory Protection" forms which will be attached to this program as Appendix G. The form will be completed for each task where respirator use is required, with a separate form for each applicable job task and type respirator used. All air purifying respirators used against particulate will use a NIOSH certified HEPA filter.

E. Air-purifying respirator for gases and vapors that use cartridges or canisters must have the cartridge/canister specified for the hazardous environment to be encountered by the employee. Cartridges/canisters are color coded to indicate the specific contaminants they are designed to filter out. Appendix C to this policy describes the color codes that are used.

F. The City of Lawton is not required to include in a written respiratory protection program those employees whose only use of respirators involves the voluntary use of filtering face pieces should be furnished with the information found in Appendix D to 29 CFR 1910.134. A copy of 29 CFR 1910.134 is included in this program as Appendix A.

PART III. DISTRIBUTION OF RESPIRATORS:

A. Respirators shall be provided at no cost to the employees, and the type shall be determined based on the guidelines set forth in part II, sections A, B, C,D and E of this program (see above) and Appendixes B and C to this program.

B. All respiratory protective devices must be approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

C. Program administrators and department directors/division supervisors shall ensure that all filters, cartridges and canisters used in the workplace are labeled and color coded with the NIOSH approved label and that the label is not removed and remains legible.

PART IV. MEDICAL EVALUATIONS:

A. The City of Lawton shall provide a confidential medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace.

(1) A physician or other licensed health care professional (PLHCP) shall perform medical evaluations using the "Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire" (RMEQ) form which is a part of this respiratory program. The RMEQ can be found in 29 CRF 1910.134 (Appendix C) which is included as Appendix A to this program.

(2) A follow-up medical examination shall be provided for any employee whom the PLHCP deems it necessary after reviewing their medical questionnaire. The follow-up medical examination shall include any medical test, consultations, or diagnostic procedures that the PLHCP deems necessary to make a final determination as to the employee's ability to safely wear a respirator while working. Examinations shall be scheduled by the Program Administrators with the employee when deemed necessary.

(3) The RMEQ and examinations shall be administered confidentially during the employee's normal work hours or at a time and place convenient to the employee. Other than the employee completing the RMEQ, no City of Lawton employee will be allowed to review or maintain a copy or the questionnaire. The Completed RMEQ will be provided directly by the employee to the PLHCP. The employee's supervisor or a program administrator will instruct the employee to hand carry the completed questionnaire to the PLHCP or will provide the employee with a stamped envelope addressed to the PLHCP and ask the employee to place the completed RMEQ in the envelope and mail it.

(4) The RMEQ shall be administered in a manner that ensures the employee understands its contests.

(5) The employee shall be provided with an opportunity to discuss the RMEQ and/or the examination results with the PLHCP.

B. The following information must be provided to the PLHCP before the PLHCP makes a recommendation concerning an employee's ability to use a respirator:

(1) The type and weight of the respirator to be used by the employee.

(2) The duration and frequency of respirator use (including use for rescue and escape).

(3) The expected physical work effort.

(4) Additional protective clothing and equipment to be worn.

(5) Temperature and humidity extremes that may be encountered.

C. The Safety and Risk Officer shall provide the PLHCP at the medical facility contracted to perform the respiratory medical evaluations with a copy of the written respiratory protection program, a copy of 29 CFR 1910.134 and the information required by Paragraph "IV-B" (above).

D. In determining the employee's ability to use a respirator, the employer shall:

(1) Obtain a written recommendation from the PLHCP regarding the employee's ability to use the respirator. The City of Lawton "Respiratory Protection Medical Evaluation Report" (Appendix D to this program) or similar form will be used to record the PLHCP's recommendation. The recommendation shall provide only the following information:

(a) Any limitations on respirator use related to the medical condition of the employee, or relating to the workplace conditions in which the respirator will be used, including whether or not the employee is medically able to use the respirator.

(b) The need, if any, for follow-up medical evaluations.

E. Additional medical evaluations shall be provided if:

(1) An employee reports medical signs or symptoms that are related to her ability to use a respirator.

(2) A PLHCP, supervisor, or one of the respiratory protection program administrators informs the employer that an employee needs to be reevaluated.

(3) Information from the respiratory protection program, including observations made during fit testing and program evaluation, indicates a need for employee reevaluation.

(4) A change occurs in workplace conditions (e.g. physical work effort, protective clothing, temperature) that may result in a substantial increase in the physiological burden placed on an employee.

PART V. FIT TESTING:

A. Before an employee may be required to use any respirator with a negative or positive pressure tight-fitting face piece, the employee must be fit tested with the same make, model, style, and size of respirator that will be used on the job by the employee.

B. All employees using a tight fitting face piece respirator shall:

(1) Pass an appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT).

(2) Be tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator face piece (size, style, model or make) is used, and at least annually thereafter.

(3) Receive an additional fit test whenever the employee reports, or the employer, PLHCP, supervisor, or program administrators make visual observations of, changes in the employee's physical condition that could affect respirator fit.

Example: Such conditions include, but are not limited to, facial scarring, dental changes, cosmetic surgery, or an obvious change in body weight.

C. If after passing a QLFT or QNFT, the employee subsequently notifies the employer, program administrator, supervisor, or PLHCP that the fit of the respirator is unacceptable, the employee shall be given a reasonable opportunity to select a different respirator face piece and to be retested.

D. The fit test shall be administered using an OSHA - accepted QLFT or QNFT protocol. The OSHA - Accepted QLFT and QNFT protocols and procedures are contained in Appendix A to 29 CFR 1910.134. A copy of 29 CFR 1910.134 is attached to this program as Appendix A.

E. When the fit test has been concluded, the person conducting the test will complete and sign the Respirator Fit Test Record form (Appendix E to this program). The employee tested will also sign the form. Other forms that are essentially similar to the one in Appendix E may be used to record this information.

(1) The Respirator Fit Test Record shall be filed with the employee training records in the Human Resources Department.

(2) A copy of the Respirator Fit Test Record may also be kept on file in the employee's assigned department or division.

(3) Any employee who fails to pass a fit test shall not be assigned to use a respirator until they are able to pass a fit test.

NOTE: A different style or size of respirator may need to be acquired in order for the employee to pass a fit test.

F. The Fit Test Record (Appendix E) shall be maintained until the next fit test is administered (at least annually).

G. Fit testing may be conducted by a vendor contracted to provide the service or may be completed in-house. If done in-house, the appropriate supplies and equipment must be used, the OSHA testing protocols must be strictly followed, and the City employee conducting the tests must be properly qualified to conduct the tests and interpret test results.

PART VI. USE OF RESPIRATORS

A. Supervisory personnel and program administrators shall prohibit conditions that may result in face piece seal leakage, prevent employees from removing respirators in hazardous environments, take actions to ensure continued effective respirator operation throughout the work shift, and establish procedures for the use of respirators in atmospheres considered to be IDLH.

(1) Supervisory personnel shall not permit respirators with tight-fitting face pieces to be worn by employees who have:

(a) Facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the face piece and the face or that interferes with valve function.

(b) Any condition that interferes with the face-to-face piece seal or valve function.

(2) If any employee wears corrective lenses, goggles or other personal protective equipment, the employee's supervisor shall ensure that such equipment is worn in a manner that does not interfere with the seal of the face piece.

(3) For all tight fitting respirators, the employee's supervisor shall ensure that the employee performs a user seal check each time he puts on a respirator in accordance with Appendix B-1 to 29 CRF 1910.134 or the respirator manufacturer's recommendations. 29 CRF 1910.134 is included in this program as Appendix A.

(4) The supervisor over the employees performing a job task requiring the use of respirators shall maintain surveillance of the work area to ensure that work are conditions and degree of employee exposure or stress do not affect respirator effectiveness.

(5) The supervisor shall ensure that employees immediately leave the respirator use area for any of the following reasons:

a. To wash their faces and respirator face pieces as necessary to prevent eye or skin irritation as a result of respirator use.

b. If the employee detects vapor or gas breakthrough, changes in breathing resistance, or leakage of the face piece. If one or more of these conditions exists, the supervisor will ensure the problem is solved before the employee is allowed to return to the work area. If the respirator face piece is defective, the supervisor will immediately take action to have the face piece repaired or replace.

c. To replace the respirator or the filter, cartridge, or canister elements.

(6) The person in charge of a job task or procedure which requires employees to enter an atmosphere which is or could be immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) shall ensure that no employee enters such an environment unless the following procedures are followed:

NOTE: IDLH means an atmosphere that poses an immediate threat to life, which would cause irreversible adverse health effects, or would impair an individual's ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere. IDLH atmospheres include structure fires, unknown atmospheres, toxic flammable and oxygen deficient atmospheres. Reference Appendix A, 29 CRF 1910.134, Section (1)(b), Definitions.

a. In IDLH situations, other than interior structural firefighting:

1. One employee, or when needed, more than one employee is located outside the IDLH atmosphere to provide assistance and emergency rescue, if needed, for the employee(s) who enter the IDLH atmosphere. The employee(s) assigned to this duty must be trained and equipped to provide effective rescue.

2. The employee(s) located outside the IDLH atmosphere shall be equipped with:

(a) Positive pressure SCBA(s), or other positive pressure supplied-air respirator(s) with auxiliary SCBA(s)

(b) Appropriate retrieval equipment for removing the employee(s) who entered the IDLH atmosphere where retrieval equipment would contribute to the rescue of the employee(s) and would not increase the overall risk resulting from entry or equivalent means for rescue where retrieval equipment is not required.

3. Once the properly equipped rescue personnel are in place, one, or when needed more than one, employee may enter the IDLH atmosphere. Employees entering the IDLH atmosphere must be equipped with positive pressure SCBA's or SAR's.

4. Communications will be maintained between the employee(s) located inside the IDLH atmosphere and the employee(s) located outside by remaining in visual contact, using voice or radio, or lifeline signals.

5. The supervisor, person in charge of a job task or their designee must be notified before the employee(s) located outside the IDLH atmosphere enter the IDLH atmosphere to provide emergency rescue.

6. The supervisor, person in charge of a job task or their designee, once notified, provides assistance appropriate to the situation.

B. Interior structural fire fighting: In accordance with 29 CRF 1910.134, at least two Fire Department personnel are to be located inside and at least two Fire Department personnel outside in all interior structural fire incidents, unless the two outside personnel must enter to perform rescue operations. The Incident Commander shall ensure an adequate number of Fire Department personnel are provided to safely conduct emergency operations in all interior structural fire fighting or other IDLH environments.

(1) All personnel engaged in interior structural fire fighting will presume the atmosphere IDLH, wear all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and positive pressure SCBA respirators.

(2) The two, or more, Fire Department personnel in the IDLH atmosphere are to work as a team and the two, or more, outside personnel are to account for and remain available to assist and rescue the personnel in the IDLH atmosphere as necessary. The inside personnel shall use a "buddy" system and maintain direct voice or visual contact or together with a signal line. The two back-up personnel shall stand by with equipment ready to provide assistance or rescue.

(3) The Fire Department personnel must be able to communicate with each other through visual, audible, physical, safety guide rope, electronic or other means to coordinate their activities, and are to remain in close proximity to each other in case emergency assistance is needed.

(4) Fire Department stand-by personnel will notify the Incident Commander prior to entering the IDLH atmosphere to provide rescue or other emergency assistance.

(5) The Incident Commander, once notified, provides necessary assistance appropriate to the situation.

PART VII. MAINTENANCE AND CARE OF RESPIRATORS:

A. The Department/Division Program Coordinator, supervisor, or other designated personnel shall provide each respirator user with a respirator that is clean, sanitary, and good working order.

1. Respirators shall be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations. A copy of 29 CRF 1910.134 which also addresses general cleaning requirements in its Appendix B-2 is included in this program.

2. Respirators shall be cleaned and disinfected at the following intervals:

a. As often as necessary to ensure the respirators are maintained in a sanitary condition.

b. Before being worn by different individuals.

c. Respirators maintained for emergency use shall be cleaned after each use.

d. Respirators used in fit testing and training shall be cleaned and disinfected after each use.

B. All respirators shall be stored to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals.

1. They shall also be packed and stored in such a manner as to prevent deformation of the face piece and exhalation valve.

2. In addition emergency respirators shall be:

a. Kept accessible to the work area.

b. Stored in compartments or in covers that are clearly marked as containing emergency respirators.

c. Stored in accordance with any applicable manufacture instructions.

C. The Department/Division Program Coordinators, supervisors, or other designated personnel shall ensure that respirators are inspected as follows:

1. All respirators used in routine situations shall be inspected before each use and during cleaning.

2. All respirators for use in emergency situations shall be inspected at least monthly and in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, and shall be checked for proper function before and after each use (see Appendix F to this program).

3. Emergency escape-only respirators shall be inspected before being carried into the workplace for use.

4. Self-contained breathing apparatus shall be inspected at least monthly and after each use in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations (see Appendix F).

5. Written records of each monthly and "after each (emergency) use" SCBA inspection conducted will be completed and will be kept on file until replaced by subsequent inspection reports.

D. Repairs to respirators shall:

1. Be made only by persons appropriately trained to perform such operations. Questions should be directed to the program administrators.

2. Only the manufacturer's NIOSH-approved parts designed for the respirator shall be used.

3. Repairs shall be made according to the manufacturer's recommendations and specifications for the type and extent of repairs to be performed.

4. Reducing and admission valves, regulators, and alarms shall be adjusted or repaired only by the manufacturer or technician trained by the manufacturer.

PART VIII. BREATHING AIR QUALITY AND USE:

A. The City of Lawton provides atmosphere supplying respirators for use in specified hazardous environments, and shall ensure that the breathing gases are of high purity.

1. Only compressed breathing air that meets at least the requirements for Grade D breathing air described in ANSI/Compressed Gas Commodity Specification for Air, G-7.1-1989 will be used. A certificate of Grade D Air analysis will be required from the supplier for any purchased air.

2. Compressed air cylinders shall be tested and maintained as prescribed in the Shipping Container Specification Regulations of the Department of Transportation (49 CFR part 173 and part 178).

3. Compressors used to supply breathing air will meet the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.134(I)(5) through (9). A copy of 29 CFR 1910.134 is attached (Appendix A).

PART IX IDENTIFICATION OF FILTERS, CARTRIDGES AND CANISTERS:

A. The division supervisor or Department/Division Program Coordinator shall ensure that all filters, cartridges and canisters used in the work place are labeled and color coded with the NIOSH approved label and that the label is not removed and remains legible. Employees or supervisors shall contact the Safety and Risk Officer or the Department/Division Program Coordinator concerning any question of the appropriate air purifying filters, cartridges, canisters to be used in specific work site hazardous environments.

PART X TRAINING AND INFORMATION:

A. The Safety and Risk Officer or Department/Division Program Coordinators shall provide training to employees who are required to use respirators. They will insure that the instructor selected to conduct the training is familiar with 29 CFR 1910.134, the City's written program, the type of hazardous environments encountered by the employees being trained, and the types of respirators used by the employees.

B. The training will be comprehensive, understandable, and recur annually. Training will also occur when changes in the workplace, respirators types/styles, employee's lack of knowledge or understanding, or any other situation arises in which retraining appears necessary to ensure safe respirator use. Supervisors will ensure that employees are furnished the exact type and size of respirators for which they have been fit tested for used during training.

C. The instructor providing the training shall ensure that each employee can demonstrate knowledge of at least the following:

1. Why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator.

2. What the limitations and capabilities of the respirators are.

3. How to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including situations in which the respirator malfunctions.

4. How to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check the seals of the respirator.

5. What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator.

6. How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators.

7. The general requirements of 29 CFR 1910.134.

D. The Department/Division Program Coordinators shall provide the basic information on respirators in Appendix D to 29 CFR 1910.134 to employees who voluntarily wear respirators even thought not required by 29 CFT 1910.134.

PART XI. PROGRAM EVALUATION:

A. The Safety and Risk Officer, Department/Division Program Coordinator, supervisors and other designated personnel shall periodically conduct unannounced evaluations of the workplace to ensure that the written respiratory protection program is being properly implemented, and to consult with employees to ensure that they are using the respirators properly.

PART XII. RECORD KEEPING:

A. Records of medical evaluations must be retained and made available in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1020. Respiratory Protection Medical Records including the "Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire" will be maintained by the PLHCP at the office or medical facility to which the PLHCP is assigned.

B. The employee records of the qualitative and quantitative fits tests (Appendix D) are maintained at the Human Resources Department until the next fit test occurs (at least annually).

C. The records of the required annual respiratory protection training for respirator users are retained with the employees' permanent training records at the Human Resources Department. Additional copies may be maintained in the employees assigned department or division.

REFERENCES: OSHA Standard 29 CRF 1910.134

RECISION: This policy becomes effective March 31, 2000 and will remain in effect until rescinded.

RESPONSIBLE

DEPARTMENT: Human Resources.

_____________________________

Bill Baker

City Manager

March 31, 2000