Respirators at MIT Nancy Doherty MIT EHS

Respirators at MIT Nancy Doherty MIT EHS

Most Importantly… • Respirators are the LAST LINE OF DEFENSE against chemical hazards. • We use them only in certain circumstances: – Short term or temporary experiments/processes where engineering controls aren’t possible – As an added or supplemental control (see this often with pregnant women) – Emergency conditions

Types of Respirators Filtering facepiece Half-Mask APR PAPR Full-Face APR Increasing Degree of Protection SAR

How to Obtain a Respirator from EHS • Step 1 - Medical Evaluation from MIT Medical – Required before initial fit test a hazard in and of Respirators can present – Re-evaluation required after time period specified by themselves to user. They place a big strain on practitioner & with any major health status changes the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. – Usually consists of a questionnaire and discussion with This is why a medical evaluation is necessary. NP/MD • Step 2 – Complete Exposure Evaluation Questionnaire

How to Obtain a Respirator from EHS • Step 3 – Schedule and Complete a Fit Test – Conducted at N 52 EHS Office – Bring completed Exposure Evaluation Questionnaire • EHS bases respirator type (and cartridges) on info provided in this document – Respirator issued and test conducted to ensure it fits user adequately – Training in respirator use and care provided

How to Obtain a Respirator from EHS • Step 4: Use Your Respirator and Comply with Recurrent Program Requirements – Come back for annual Fit Test when prompted by EHS • Email alert – Return to MIT Medical if… • Prompted by EHS (email again) • Change in health status

But it’s ONLY a dust mask… • This seems like a lot of work for a little filtering facepiece, doesn’t it? – Mandatory respirator use (to protect against a known or likely hazard) • All steps we just discussed are REQUIRED • Even for a filtering facepiece – Voluntary respirator use (as a supplemental control or for comfort) • Some situations allow for flexibility

Voluntary Respirator Use • Elastomeric Respirators – Required: • Medical Exam • Training • EHS must provide copy of OSHA’s “Appendix D” – Sign & return to EHS – Not Required: • Fit test

Voluntary Respirator Use • Filtering Facepieces – Required: • EHS must provide copy of “Appendix D” – Sign and return to EHS – We acknowledge that this is hard to enforce – Not Required: • Medical Exam • Fit Test • Training

So this respirator walks into a lab… • Realistically, many people at MIT probably don’t know that they shouldn’t just go out and buy a respirator – You may find “imposter” respirators in labs during inspections • How do you know if they are MIT-issued? – You can often get a good idea just from the respirator brand/model

EHS Usually Issues… • MSA – Comfo Classic, Comfo Elite, or Ultra. Twin models

If you see… IMPOSTERS!!* *(likely)

How Can You Help? • If you suspect there’s an “imposter” respirator, find out who it belongs to and ask if they received respirator from EHS • If not, inform them of proper process & why it’s in place (e. g. , EHS might be able to inform you a better way to control hazard, respirators can strain respiratory & cardiovascular systems) Respiratory protection not finding maintained • ___PPE-3 is now an inspectionappropriate / for an There / stored properly “imposter” respiratorwithout EHS evaluation / approval ___PPE-4 Respirators used

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?