Guideline for the Development of a Code of Practice for Respiratory Protective Equipment

A Code of Practice describing the selection, maintenance and use of respiratory protective equipment must be developed whenever respirators are used at the work site. This is required by the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code, Section 245. The information presented in the code of practice is used to protect workers against respiratory hazards while performing their duties. The code of practice may be relatively simple or extremely comprehensive, depending on the complexity of the work performed at the work site. It is important that all information applicable to a particular work site operation is included in the code of practice. The most recent edition of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard Z94.4-02, Selection, Use and Care of Respirators should be consulted when preparing the code of practice. The Code of Practice for Respiratory Protective Equipment should, at a minimum, contain the following elements: Company health and safety policy
A Code of Practice describing the selection, maintenance and use of respiratory protective equipment must be developed whenever respirators are used at the work site.

The companys policy on the wearing of respiratory protective equipment should be clearly stated. This policy should include information as to whether the wearing of respiratory protective equipment is compulsory, a condition of employment, for routine or emergency use, etc.

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Person responsible for the respiratory protective equipment The employer is responsible for selecting, providing, and maintaining appropriate respiratory protective equipment and may designate a competent worker to undertake this responsibility. This worker should be identified in the code of practice together with his/her position and how he/she can be contacted.

Determination of the need for respiratory protective equipment The type of airborne hazard generated in each workplace operation must be identified. This may be a dust, mist, fume, vapour, gas, oxygen deficiency, or a combination of these hazards. Whenever possible, the specific chemical name of the contaminant should be given. When known, potential exposure level and the duration(s) of exposure should be included in this section. Information on other measures such as engineering or administrative controls that are used to reduce worker exposure to airborne hazards should be included. For example, the code of practice should refer to proper operating procedures for the ventilation system used to control airborne contaminant(s).

Selection of respiratory protective equipment The selection of suitable respiratory protective equipment is based on a knowledge of the toxicity of the contaminant(s) and potential exposure levels. Guidance in the selection of this equipment is given in the following publication:

: www.gov.ab.ca/hre/whs/publications/pdf/ppe001.pdf

Respiratory Protective Equipment: An Employers Guide Respirators chosen to protect workers against health hazards must be approved by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) or by another standards-setting and equipment-testing organization, or combination of organizations acceptable to Alberta Human Resources and Employment. Once the equipment has been selected, workers must be informed of its availability and the types and models provided.
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Cleaning and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment A cleaning and maintenance program must be put in place to ensure that respiratory protective equipment functions effectively. Procedures and schedules should be included in the code of practice. When respiratory protective equipment using compressed breathing air is selected, the employer must ensure that the quality of the breathing air complies with Table 1 of CSA Standard Z180.1-00, Compressed Breathing Air and Systems and does not contain concentrations of substances that exceed 10 percent of the applicable Occupational Exposure Limits listed in Table 2 of Schedule 1 of the OHS Code.

: :

www.CAN/CSA-Z180.1-00 PDF: Compressed Breathing Air and Systems www.gov.ab.ca/hre/whs/publications/pdf/OHSC-1.pdf Occupational Health and Safety Code

Use of respiratory protective equipment The code of practice must specify whether the respiratory protective equipment is intended for routine use, specific operations, or emergency use only. Where the effectiveness of respiratory protective equipment depends on the facial seal, the employer must ensure that it is correctly fitted to the worker using it and workers must be clean shaven where the respirator contacts the face. A description of the type of training given to employees should also be included in this section.

Reference to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation and Code The code of practice must include practical guidance on Occupational Health and Safety legislation applicable to the work site.

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Other information This section should include information specific to the particular work site.

Although the code of practice does not need to be submitted to Alberta Human Resources and Employment for approval, it must be posted at the work site in a location where it is available to workers and other persons who may need to refer to it. The employer must ensure that all workers affected by the code of practice are familiar with it before work begins. An Occupational Health and Safety Officer may ask to examine the code of practice during a work site inspection. A Director appointed under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, may, from time to time, require that the code of practice be revised. Appendix A provides an example of a Respiratory Protective Equipment Data Sheet which can be completed for each situation in which respiratory protective equipment is used. It can be used as a supplement to the code of practice for instructing workers for specific situations.
The employer must ensure that all workers affected by the code of practice are familiar with it before work begins.

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Appendix A

Respiratory Protective Equipment Data Sheet

This data sheet provides specific information for the work site and operation noted below, and must be used in conjunction with the Code of Practice for Respiratory Protective Equipment.

Company Name:

_______________________________________________________

Company Address: _______________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Telephone Number: ________________________________________________________ Work Site: ________________________________________________________ Operation: ________________________________________________________

A. Person Responsible for Respiratory Protective Equipment Name: Position: Location: _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________

Telephone Number: _________________________________________________________

B. Hazard Requiring Use of Respiratory Protective Equipment Airborne Hazard: Dust Mist Fume Vapour Gas Oxygen Deficiency Worker Exposure: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ___________________________________

Potential Concentration ___________________________________ Probable Duration ___________________________________

Control Measures:

_______________________________________________________

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C. Selection of Respiratory Protective Equipment Type: _____________________________________________________

Model (name and number):_____________________________________________________ Approval Number: _____________________________________________________

D. Cleaning and Maintenance of Respiratory Protective Equipment Person Assigned to Cleaning and Maintenance: ____________________________________ Cleaning Schedule: Preventive Maintenance Schedule: Cleaning Procedure: _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________ Inspection Schedule: Storage Location: ______________________________________ ______________________________________

E. Use of Respiratory Protective Equipment Use: . o Routine

. o Ventilation System Installation or Repair

o o

Emergency Escape Entry into Atmosphere Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health __________________________________________________

Fit Testing:

Method:

Frequency: __________________________________________________ Training: . o Hazards

o o o o o o o

Selection Criteria Purpose, Proper Use, and Limitations Cleaning, Maintenance, Storage Donning and Removal Fit Testing Familiarization with the Code of Practice (Other) __________________________

Training Schedule: ________________________________

F. Other Information _____________________________________________________________________________

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2003-2004, Government of Alberta, Human Resources and Employment This material may be used, reproduced, stored or transmitted for non-commercial purposes. The source of this material must be acknowledged when publishing or issuing it to others. This material is not to be used, reproduced, stored or transmitted for commercial purposes without written permission from the Government of Alberta, Human Resources and Employment. This material is to be used for information purposes only no warranty express or implied is given as to the accuracy or the timeliness of the material presented.

PE004 Breathing Apparatus Revised March 2004