SAFETY BLOG

Respirator Basics

Inhalation is the most common route of exposure for employees to most toxic materials in the workplace.  Selecting and utilizing the appropriate respirator can be quite confusing and difficult.  Employers and employees must get a firm understanding of respirator basic knowledge in order to increase respiratory safety in the workplace.

Definitions

• Cannister or Cartridge:  a container with a filter, sorbent, or catalyst, or combination of these items, which removes specific contaminants from the air passed through the container.
• Employee exposure:  exposure to a concentration of an airborne contaminant that would occur if an employee were not using respiratory protection.
• Fit Factor:  a quantitative estimate of the fit of a particular respirator to a specific individual.
• Fit Test:  the use of a protocol to qualitatively or quantitatively evaluate the fit of a respirator on an individual.
• Fogs:  are vapors which have condensed into tiny airborne particles or droplets.
• Gases:  materials that become airborne at room temperature.
• Mists and Sprays:  very small droplets of liquid materials suspended in the air.
• Oxygen Deficient Atmosphere:  an atmosphere with an oxygen content below 19.5% by volume.
• Service Life:  the period of time that a respirator, filter or sorbent, or other respiratory equipment provides adequate protection to the wearer.
• Vapors:  substances created when a solid or liquid material evaporates.

Types of Respirators

• Air Purifying Respirators (APR):  a respirator with an air purifying filter, cartridge, or cannister that removes specific air contaminants by passing ambient air through the air-purifying element.  Cannot and must not be used in oxygen deficient atmospheres!

Types of APRs:

• Air Purifying Disposable Particulate Respirator
• i.e. Dust Mask
• Air Purifying Half-Mask Respirator
• only covers mouth and nose
• Air Purifying Full-Face Mask Respirator
• encapsulates the entire face
• Gas Masks
• Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR)
• uses a blower to force the ambient air through air-purifying elements to the inlet covering.

• Atmosphere Supplying Respirator (ASR):  supplies the respirator user with breathing air from a source independent of the ambient atmosphere.

Two types of ASRs:

• Supplied Air Respirator (SAR):  an atmosphere supplying respirator for which the source of breathing air is not designed to be carried by the user.
• Supplied Airline Respirator
• Air Cart and Airline

• Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA):  an atmosphere supplying respirator for which the breathing air source is designed to be carried by the user.
• SCBA
• Escape-Only Respirator

Four Questions Used to Determine Respirator Selection

1. What type of contaminant is present?
2. What is the form of the contaminant?
3. How toxic is the contaminant?
4. What is the concentration of the contaminant?

 OSHA Respiratory Protection Program Components

• Written standard procedures governing selection and use of respirators in the workplace
• Industrial hygiene survey to determine exposure levels
• Medical evaluation and surveillance
• Fit testing
• User training
• Regular maintenance, cleaning, and disinfecting
• Proper storage

Please consult with the OSHA standards to get more details of respirator safety.

Be safe out there!

Medical & First Aid Preparedness 

Ensuring a safe workplace takes diligence and commitment.  Unfortunately, even with the best planning accidents do occur in the workplace.  Employers must establish emergency protocols so that all accident victims receive timely and qualified first aid and medical treatment.  OSHA sets standards for medical and first aid preparedness in the workplace for construction and general industries.  Conforming to government compliance in this area, such as providing OSHA approved first aid kits, is something all employers must do, but there are also behind-the-scenes issues that must be taken into consideration to provide employees with the most efficient post-accident care.

First and most importantly, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in the workplace and on job sites saves lives!  OSHA only mandates that construction and general industry employers have certified first aid specialists on site when there are no hospitals, clinics or reasonable medical care nearby.  The standards make no mention of CPR or AED training.  Heroic Safety Solutions recommends that all employers have at least two employees on any work site that are certified in first aid, CPR, and AEDs, and equipping each work site with the appropriate calibrated equipment.  The immediate availability of these resources to severely injured employees may be the difference between life and death.

Second, employers should designate emergency contact personnel to meet responding safety forces.  The faster emergency medical treatment arrives to treat an accident victim, the greater the chances of a successful recovery for that victim.  Responders often arrive to very large work complexes to realize that they are no where near the patient and cannot find anyone who has knowledge of the incident location.  This will delay urgent care.  Employers should designate personnel to meet responders in specific locations.  The location, nature of the accident and number of victims should be relayed to the emergency dispatcher during the initial 911 call.  Choose contact locations that can be easily identified from the street.  The contact personnel should be knowledgeable of the site layout and accident details.  The more information the paramedics can gather before arriving to the patient the less time the patient will have in receiving difinitive care.

It is always recommended that employers keep emergency data sheets on every employee in case of a workplace emergency.  These files should be managed by a human resource manager and must be kept confidential (by law) to protect the employees privacy, but access should be available in a timely manner.  Employers cannot mandate employees submit such information, but should stress the importance of this resource to paramedics and ask that employees volunteer to take part in data submittal.  One way to improve employee confidence in this program is to have employees seal their report in a tamper-proof envelope before submittal.  Ask employees to update their records annually.  During emergencies, these data sheets can supply paramedics with essential information that will lessen the responders' on-scene time.  Recommended information for these sheets is as follows:

• Employee name, birth date and address
• Name and phone number of employee's emergency contact
• Any chronic illnesses or medical conditions
• Any medications the employee takes
• Any and all allergies the employee has (including latex allergies)
• Blood type if known
• The name of the employee's physician and hospital of choice if applicable
• Any other pertinent information that the employee thinks is relevant to the report

Lastly, employers can develop an emergency incident form for the contact personnel to complete while waiting for emergency services.  This should be a standardized form that is readily available in a moments notice.  A fill-in-the-blank template is recommended and the form should be concise enough to be completed in under three minutes.  The emergency incident form and the employee's sealed emergency data envelope should be relayed to the paramedics by the contact person.  Recommended information for this form is as follows:

• How many victims are there?
• Is this incident a result of a traumatic event?
• If so, how did the accident occur?
• i.e., fall
• Brief but pertinent accident details
• i.e., fell from an 8 foot ladder and hit head on concrete
• Are there any hazards still surrounding the victim?
• i.e., energized equipment or toxic chemicals
• If not a traumatic event, what was employee doing prior to incident?
• Briefly describe events, signs and symptoms
• i.e., loading a truck then began complaining of chest pain
• If a chemical related incident, are MSDS sheets available to responders?

These three accident preparedness techniques can save lives in your workplace.  Remember, your employees are your most valuable asset.  Their safety is always the first priority!

Be safe out there!

Compressed Gas Cylinders 

Utilizing compressed gas cylinders in an inappropriate manner can create many hazards in the workplace.  Employers and employees must be fluent in OSHA compressed gas cylinder regulations to maintain workplace safety.

A cylinder is a pressurized vessel of gas and provides the fuel necessary for the welder's flame.  In a cross-section, they contain gases in excess of 40 psi absolute.  This does not include portable tanks, tank cars, or cargo tanks.

Cylinder Markings

• Each cylinder has markings on it which indicate:
• DOT markings
• Serial number
• Symbol of manufacturers, user, or purchaser
• Month and year of manufacture
• Disinterested manufacturer's official mark
• Retest dates
• A plus (+) symbol indicates that the cylinder may be 10% overcharged
• A five-pointed star indicates a ten year retest interval

 Cylinder Handling, Operating, and Storage

• Keep cylinders and valves free of grease and oil compounds
• Do not lift by valve caps or valve stems
• Purge valves before attaching regulators
• Always attach the regulator before use
• When finished, release pressure in the regulator before removing it
• Open acetylene valve 1.5 turns at most for quick shut-off in the case of an emergency
• Keep away from heat
• At least 20 feet away from combustible materials
• Store in a secluded area where they can avoid damage or disturbance
• Store in well-protected, well-ventilated, and dry locations
• Store away from elevators, stairs, or gangways
• Total amount of stored cylinders cannot exceed 2,000 cubic feet of gas
• Equal to roughly 300 pounds of liquefied petroleum gas
• Make sure to close valves on all cylinders and replace valve protection caps
• Empty cylinders
• Cylinders not in use
• During transport
• Store cylinders with valves upward
• Oxygen cylinder never stored with fuel gas cylinder
• At least 20 feet away
• If not 20 feet, then a 5 foot barrier with a one-half hour fire rating must be placed between cylinders
• Use a cradle, boat, or suitable platform to transport cylinders by crane or derrick
• Do not use slings or electric magnets
• Cylinders shall not be dropped or struck, or allowed to strike each other violently
• Keys, handles, or nonadjustable wrenches shall be on valve stems while cylinders are in service
• Cylinders shall be kept far enough away from actual cutting or welding operations so that sparks, hot slag, or flame will not reach them
• Fire resistant shield may be used
• Cylinders shall never be used as rollers or supports whether full or empty
• A hammer or wrench is never to be used to open cylinder valves
• If valves cannot be opened by hand, then the supplier shall be notified
• Always open cylinder valves slowly

 Despite the fact that the gases used in these cylinders create fire and explosion hazards, compressed gas cylinders can create a projectile hazard as well.  Due to the weight and internal pressure of the cylinders, broken-off valve stems can turn the cylinder into a deadly projectile that has a tremendous amount of force and velocity.  Exercise extreme care when utilizing compressed gas cylinders.

Be safe out there!

Permit Confined Space Entry 

A Confined Space is defined as a space that:

1. Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work;
2. Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit;
3. Is not designed for continuous occupancy.

A Permit Required Confined Space is a space that has one or more of the following characteristics:

1. Contains or has the potential of containing a hazardous atmosphere;
2. Contains materials which have the potential for engulfing an entrant (worker);
3. Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section; or
4. Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard.

A Competent Person means one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

Potential Confined Space Hazards

1. Oxygen deficiency atmosphere - <19.5%
2. Oxygen enriched atmosphere - >23.5%
3. Engulfment from materials
4. Entrapment
5. Combustible dusts
6. Mechanical hazards, i.e., crushers, mixers, etc.
7. Flammable gases such as methane
8. Toxic materials, i.e., welding fumes, hydrogen sulfide, CO
9. Electrical hazards

 Responsibilities

There are 3 specified jobs that must be filled prior to any confined space entry:

1. Entry Supervisor:
• Competent person in charge of completing hazard assessment, rescue assessment, and confined space permit
• Assure adequate protection is provided to entrants such as verifying lock out/tag out , and all hazards are securely isolated
• Support attendants authority in controlling access
• Verify all personnel have exited prior to closing space
• Insure all personnel involved are aware of hazards
• Assure rescue services are available prior to entry
2. Attendant:
• Monitor entrants during job, entry, and exit to ensure safety
• May not abandon post for any reason while personnel are in space unless relieved
• Monitor atmospheric conditions in space prior to and during entry
• Control access to space
• Summon emergency assistance as needed
• Assess hazards in and around space, and take action if needed
• Keep records of confined space work, air results, entry/exit, etc.
3. Entrant:
• Assure space has been ventilated, isolated, or otherwise made safe for entry
• Immediately exit a space, without question, upon word of the attendant, no matter what!
• Follow all safety rules and procedures that apply to the job
• Be familiar with the work to be performed and procedures that apply to the job
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment

7 Steps for a Confined Space Entry

1. Isolating the space:
• Close valves
• Double-block and bleed, or use blank flange
• Empty space
• Depressurize, vent, and drain
• Lock out/Tag out
• For all electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, chemical, thermal, or other energy sources
• Clean hazardous residue from space
2. Ventilating the space:
• Mechanical
• Fans or forced air blowers
• Make sure air supply is not contaminated
• Air supply must be from fresh air
3. Pre-Entry meeting:
• All personnel involved in entry procedures shall meet and discuss hazards, rescue, tasks, etc.
4. Completing entry permit forms:
• Correctly and completely filled out prior to entry
• Validated and activated by entry supervisor's signature
• Entry not allowed without valid permit
• Permits valid up to 12 hours in length
• Canceled permits kept on file for 1 year
5. Testing the atmosphere:
• Prior to every entry when space is vacant
• Ventilate for 10 minutes and test again prior to entry
• Continual monitoring while space is occupied
• Must record atmospheric data at least hourly for permit required spaces
• More frequent if conditions exist or suspicions warrant
• Any time a limit is exceeded, no matter what the reason, all personnel shall immediately exit the space and no one reenters until safe levels are attained
• Oxygen levels at least 19.5% to max 23.5%
• A reading of anything other than 21.7 is reason for further investigation of the space
• Flammable atmospheres: less than 10% LEL, lower explosive limit
• Toxic gases:
• CO, PEL <35ppm
• H2S, <10ppm
• any other toxins
6. Entering the space:
• Attendant posted near entrance for duration of work
• Constant communications with entrant for duration
• Entrants to sign the sign-in log when entering and sign out when exiting
7. When the job is done
• Review job: hazards, problems, other contractors, etc.
• Entry supervisor cancels the permit
• Remove all personnel, tools, debris, etc.
• Close the space

 Be safe out there!