NIST S 7101-58_Respiratory Protection_01072021.pdf

NIST S 7101.58 (Uncontrolled Copy in Print) Page 1

Respiratory Protection 3

NIST S 7101.58 5

Document Approval Date: 01/07/2021 6 Effective Date: 04/01/2015 7

1. PURPOSE 10

The purpose of the Respiratory Protection Program (RPP) is to prevent NIST employees from 11 breathing airborne hazards when effective engineering controls are not feasible. In addition, the 12 program identifies required training and practices for selecting, using, caring for, and storing 13 respiratory protection. 14

2. BACKGROUND 17

a. NIST must meet or exceed the requirements established by the Occupational Safety and 18

Health Administration (OSHA) in 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.134, 19 Respiratory Protection. Implementation of this suborder through the requirements in Section 20 6 and the roles and responsibilities in Section 9 exceeds those requirements. 21

b. This suborder supersedes NIST Health and Safety Instruction (HSI) 17, Respiratory 23 Protection, October 1998. 24

3. APPLICABILITY 27

The provisions of this suborder apply to all NIST employees whose exposure to potential 28 airborne hazards could result in their being required to wear, or their voluntarily wearing, 29 respiratory protection to carry out their assigned duties. 30

4. REFERENCES 33

a. 29 CFR 1910.134, Respiratory Protection. 34

b. 29 CFR 1910.1020, Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records. 36

c. ANSI Z88.2, American National Standard for Respiratory Protection. 38 https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=12716&p_table=standards https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=12716&p_table=standards https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10027

NIST S 7101.58 (Uncontrolled Copy in Print) Page 2

d. ANSI Z88.6, American National Standard for Respiratory Protection – Respirator Use 39 Physical Qualifications for Personnel. 40

e. Compressed Gas Association (CGA) Commodity Specification for Air, CGA G7.1. 42

f. NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program. 44

g. NFPA 1852, Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Open-Circuit Self-Contained 46 Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). 47

h. NFPA 1981, Standard on Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for 49 Emergency Services. 50

5. APPLICABLE NIST OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH SUBORDERS 53

a. NIST S 7101.20: Work and Worker Authorization Based on Hazard Reviews; 54

b. NIST S 7101.21: Personal Protective Equipment; 56

c. NIST S 7101.23: Safety Education and Training; and 58

d. NIST S 7101.22: Hazard Signage. 60

6. REQUIREMENTS1 63

When effective engineering controls are not feasible, or while they are being implemented, 64 respirators must be used to (a) reduce exposures to airborne hazards to levels below applicable 65 occupational exposure limits (OELs), and (b) protect against exposures to atmospheres that are 66 “immediately dangerous to life or health” (IDLH)2. Specific respiratory-protection requirements 67 include the occupational exposure limits adopted by NIST; hazard identification; hazard 68 assessment; control methods, including respiratory protection selected by competent persons; 69 respirator medical evaluations; respirator fit testing; respirator use; respirator maintenance and 70 care; breathing air quality; entry and work in IDLH atmospheres; records (other than training 71 records); training; and communication. 72

1 The requirements in this section apply to employees who wear respiratory protection in the conduct of their assigned duties, and their management, i.e., they apply to the OUs.

2 Instances of IDLH atmospheres outside of the Office of Facilities and Property Management and emergency situations would be highly unusual. Only highly-trained personnel may enter or prepare to enter atmospheres known or considered to be IDLH. For additional information, contact OSHE.

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a. OELs and IDLH Atmospheres 75

(1) Employees shall not be exposed to airborne hazards within the personal breathing zone 77 (PBZ) at levels that exceed the OELs adopted by NIST. 78

(2) The OELs adopted by NIST shall be the permissible exposure limits established by 80 OSHA or the following exposure limits, when these limits are more stringent than those 81 established by OSHA and achieving them is feasible: 82

(a) Threshold Limit Values established by the American Conference of Governmental 84

Industrial Hygienists; or 85

(b) Exposure limits established by other authoritative entities, such as the National 87 Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 88

(3) Unprotected employees shall not be exposed to IDLH atmospheres. 90

b. Hazard Identification 92

(1) If a concern arises3 regarding potential airborne hazards in an already ongoing activity, a 94 consultation shall be scheduled with a competent person as soon as possible to determine 95 if the airborne hazards could result in exposures that exceed an applicable OEL or could 96 create an IDLH atmosphere. 97

(2) If the hazard review of a new activity identifies potential airborne hazards, a consultation 99 shall be scheduled with a competent person to determine if the airborne hazards could 100 result in exposures that exceed an OEL or could create an IDLH atmosphere. 101

(3) If the hazard review of a change in an existing activity identifies new airborne hazards or 103 potential increases in previously identified airborne hazards, a consultation shall be 104 scheduled with a competent person to determine if the airborne hazards could result in 105 exposures that exceed an OEL or could create an IDLH atmosphere. 106

c. Hazard Assessment 108

(1) If the consultation with the competent person indicates that airborne hazards could result 110 in exposures that exceed an OEL or could create an IDLH atmosphere, arrangements 111

3 Such a concern could be raised by any individual, e.g., a worker, a coworker, a supervisor, a Division Safety Representative, or a competent person.

NIST S 7101.58 (Uncontrolled Copy in Print) Page 4 shall be made for a competent person to assess the hazards using exposure monitoring, 112 mathematical calculations, or other means. 113

(2) If the competent person cannot identify or reasonably estimate the employee’s potential 115 exposure, the atmosphere shall be considered IDLH. 116

d. Control Methods 118

(1) When it has been determined by a competent person that, without controls, airborne 120 hazards would result in potential exposures that exceed an OEL or constitute an 121 atmosphere known or considered to be IDLH: 122

(a) Feasible4 engineering controls shall be implemented in an effort to reduce the level of 124 airborne hazards in the PBZ to less than applicable OELs or to mitigate the 125 atmosphere known or considered to be IDLH. 126

(b) If the implementation of feasible engineering controls fails to achieve the desired 128 objectives, as determined by a competent person, respiratory protection selected by a 129 competent person shall be provided and used to reduce potential exposures to 130 airborne hazards within the PBZ to less than applicable OELs or to prevent potential 131 exposures to the atmosphere known or considered to be IDLH.5 132

(c) Only respirators selected by the competent person shall be procured. 134

(d) All respirators, cartridges, filters, and other components shall be provided at no cost 136 to employees. 137

(2) When it has been determined by a competent person that, without controls, airborne 139 hazards would not result in exposures that exceed an OEL or constitute an IDLH 140 atmosphere: 141

(a) Feasible engineering controls should be implemented in an effort to reduce exposures 143 to airborne hazards in the PBZ. 144

4 Feasible means that the OEL is both technologically and economically achievable. Technologically feasible means that there is a reasonable possibility that the agency will be able to meet the OEL in most of its operations by installing engineering controls and implementing work practice controls. Technologically feasible also includes being able to use analytical techniques to measure the airborne hazard at the OEL. For a Federal agency, economically feasible means that complying with the OEL will not require such resources as to threaten the agency’s ability to fulfill its mission.

5 Many precautions in addition to respiratory protection are necessary for employees other than first responders to enter atmospheres known or considered to be IDLH. For further information, contact OSHE.

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(b) Respiratory protection may be worn voluntarily if it is determined, based on a 145 consultation with a competent person, that: 146

i. Such protection will not in itself create a more serious safety or health hazard; 148

ii. The respiratory protection is selected by a competent person; 150

iii. Use of the respiratory protection is authorized by the employee’s Official First-152

Level Supervisor; and 153

iv. Use of the respiratory protection complies with the requirements of this suborder. 155

e. Respirator Medical Evaluations 157

(1) All employees who are to wear respirators, except filtering facepieces worn voluntarily, 159 shall arrange for the Health Unit6 to complete a medical evaluation prior to fit testing. 160

(2) Additional medical evaluations are required under the following circumstances: 162

(a) Employees report medical signs or symptoms related to the ability to use a 164 respirator; 165

(b) The Health Unit, the OSHE Respiratory Protection Program Manager, or the Official 167 First-Level Supervisor recommends reevaluation; 168

(c) Information from the Respiratory Protection program, including observations made 170 during fit testing and program evaluations, indicates a need; or 171

(d) A change occurs in workplace conditions, e.g., in physical work effort, protective 173 clothing required, or temperature, that may substantially increase the physiological 174 burden on an employee. 175

f. Fit Testing 177

(1) After receiving medical evaluations, employees who are to wear respirators with tight-179 fitting facepiece shall complete fit testing provided by a competent person: 180

(a) Prior to initial use of the respirator and at least annually thereafter; 182

6 “Provided by the Health Unit” means “provided by a physician or other licensed health-care professional working in the Health Unit”.

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(b) Pursuant to any change, authorized by a competent person, in respirator make, model, 183 style, or size; and 184

(c) Pursuant to a change in employee facial shape/structure (dentures, weight gain, facial 186 hair, broken nose, glasses/goggles) that could prevent a good face seal or interfere 187 with the respirator’s ability to function properly. 188

(2) If an employee needs prescription eyewear, regardless of the mask type, he or she must 190 be provided with the appropriate eyewear and respirator type to accommodate that.. 191

g. Respirator Use 193

(1) All respirators, cartridges, filters, and other procured components shall be used in 195 accordance with manufacturers’ specifications. 196

(2) Labels on filters, cartridges, and canisters shall not be removed and must remain legible. 198

(3) Cartridges or canisters shall be changed in accordance with the change schedule provided 200 by the competent person or sooner if users feel ill or breakthrough occurs. 201

(4) Tight-fitting respirators shall not be worn when conditions prevent a good face seal or 203 interfere with the respirator’s ability to function properly. Such conditions may include 204 facial hair between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face, or facial hair that 205 interferes with valve function. Other conditions that may prevent a good face seal 206 include, but are not limited to, scars, absence of teeth/dentures, unusual facial 207 configurations, or wearing objects that project under the facepiece (e.g., corrective 208 glasses or goggles). 209

(5) Tight-fitting-respirator users shall be monitored7 by their supervisors for face-to-211 facepiece seal conditions, and those with interfering conditions shall not be permitted to 212 perform work that requires the use of a respirator. 213

(6) Seal checks of tight-fitting respirators shall be performed by users prior to use in 215 accordance with 29 CFR Part 1910.134, Appendix B-1, User Seal Check Procedures 216 (Mandatory).8 217

7 That is, if a supervisor observes or becomes aware that an employee who wears a tight-fitting facepiece has a beard or other factor preventing a tight seal between the face and respirator, the supervisor shall not permit the employee to wear the respirator.

8 User seal checks are not a substitute for fit tests.

https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9781

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(7) Respirators shall not be loosened or removed in work situations where their use is 219 required. 220

(8) Respirator users shall leave the respirator use area: 222

(a) To wash their face and facepiece as necessary to prevent eye or skin irritation 224 associated with respirator use; 225

(b) If they detect vapor or gas breakthrough, changes in breathing resistance, or leakage 227 of the facepiece; 228

(c) If they feel ill or disoriented; and 230

(d) To replace the respirator or filter, cartridge, or canister elements. 232

h. Respirator Maintenance and Care 234

(1) Cleaning 236

(a) When practicable, respirators should be assigned to individual employees for their 238 exclusive use. Permanently assigned respirators can be marked with an indelible 239 marker or in a similar manner that does not affect performance. 240

(b) Exclusive-use respirators shall be cleaned and disinfected as often as necessary to 242 maintain them in a sanitary condition. 243

(c) Shared-use respirators shall be cleaned and disinfected by the user after each use. 245

(d) Emergency-use respirators shall be cleaned and disinfected after each use. 247

(e) All respirators shall be cleaned prior to storage. 249

(f) Respirators shall be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134, 251 Appendix B-2, Respirator Cleaning Procedures (Mandatory). 252

(2) Storage 254

(a) Respirators shall be stored in accordance with the manufacturers’ specifications. 256 https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9782 https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9782

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(b) All respirators shall be stored to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, 258 sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals. 259

(c) All respirators shall be stored to prevent deformation of the facepiece and exhalation 261 valve, and as such should not be stored in such places as lockers or tool boxes unless 262 they are in carrying cases or otherwise protected from damage. 263

(d) Emergency-use respirators shall be stored in the work area in clearly marked, 265 quickly accessible, protective containers, and in an adequate number in each area in 266 which they may be needed. 267

(3) Inspection 269

(a) All respirators used in routine situations shall be inspected before each use and during 271 cleaning. 272

(b) Respirator inspections shall include the following, as applicable to the respirator 274 being used: 275

i. A check of respirator function, tightness, and connections; 277

ii. A check of the condition of the various parts, including, but not limited to, the 279 facepiece; head straps; valves; connecting tube; and cartridges, canisters or filters; 280 and 281

iii. A check of elastomeric parts for pliability and signs of deterioration. 283

(c) Emergency-Use Respirators 285

i. All emergency-use respirators shall be inspected at least monthly and in 287 accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations. 288

ii. All emergency-use respirators shall be checked for proper function before and 290 after each use. 291

iii. Emergency escape-only respirators shall be inspected before being carried into the 293 workplace. 294

iv. Emergency-use respirator inspections shall document the following information: 296

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(i) Date the inspection was performed; 298

(ii) Name of the person who performed it; 300

(iii) Findings; 302

(iv) Any required remedial action; and 304

(v) A serial number or other means of identifying the inspected respirator. 306

v. Emergency-use respirator inspections shall be documented: 308

(i) On tags or labels that are attached to the respirators or kept within their 310 storage compartments; or 311

(ii) In inspection reports stored in hard copy or electronic form. 313

(d) SCBAs 315

i. In addition to the requirements in Section h(3)(a), (b), and (c)i-iii: 317

(i) SCBAs shall be inspected monthly. 319

(ii) Air and oxygen cylinders shall be maintained in a fully charged state and 321 shall be recharged when the pressure falls to 90% of the manufacturer's 322 specified pressure level. 323

(iii) Regulators and warning devices shall be inspected to determine that they 325 function properly. 326

(iv) Inspection tags shall be attached to SCBA storage units and tamper-evident 328 seals should be affixed to the storage units to indicate whether they have 329 been opened. 330

ii. If SCBAs are maintained for emergency use, inspections shall be documented in 332 accordance with the requirements in Sections h(3)(c)iv-v. 333

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(4) Repairs 338

(a) Respirators that fail an inspection or are found to be defective shall be removed from 340 service immediately, marked or tagged as out of service, and discarded or repaired. 341

(b) Particulate filters shall be replaced when they become soiled or damaged or users 343 detect increased breathing resistance. 344

(c) Respirator repairs or adjustments are to be made only by appropriately trained 346 persons and shall use only the respirator manufacturer’s parts designed for that 347 respirator. 348

i. Reducing and admission valves, regulators, and alarms shall be adjusted or 350 repaired only by the manufacturer or by a manufacturer-trained technician. 351

(d) Repairs shall be made according to manufacturers’ specifications for the type and 353 extent of repairs to be made. 354

i. Respirator Maintenance and Care – Additional Requirements for SCBAs Used in 356

Firefighting (applicable to the NIST Fire Protection Group only) 357

(1) SCBAs used in firefighting must comply with the additional requirements of NFPA 1500, 359

Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program Standard, including the 360 following guidelines: 361

(a) NFPA 1852, Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Open-Circuit Self-Contained 363

Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Standard. 364

(b) NFPA 1852, Chapter 6, on the care, cleaning, and storage of SCBA equipment. 366

(c) NFPA 1852, Chapter 7, on inspecting and maintaining of SCBAs. 368

i. SCBAs assigned to on-duty NIST employees must be inspected at the beginning 370 of each duty shift. 371

ii. SCBAs which are on duty assignment, but not currently assigned to an individual 373 employee, must be inspected weekly. 374

iii. In all cases, SCBAs must be inspected, at a minimum, on a weekly basis. 376

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iv. If the SCBA incorporates an integrated Personal Alert Safety System (PASS), it 378 also must be inspected as part of the SCBA inspection at the beginning of each 379 duty shift while assigned to an employee or weekly if the SCBA is not assigned to 380 an individual duty employee. 381

(d) NFPA 1981, Chapter 4, on flow testing of SCBAs. 383

i. SCBAs shall be flow tested at least annually. 385

j. Breathing Air Quality in SCBAs and Airline Respirators 387

(1) Compressed breathing air procured by the OUs shall meet at least the requirements for 389 Grade D breathing air described in ANSI/Compressed Gas Association Commodity 390 Specification for Air, G-7.1-1989. 391

(2) Cylinders supplying breathing air shall meet Department of Transportation requirements 393 (Requirement for DOT Specification Cylinders) and have certificates of analysis that 394 show they meet or exceed Grade D breathing-air requirements. 395

(3) Compressors supplying breathing air shall be constructed and situated in a way that 397 prevents entry of contaminated air into the air-supply system. 398

k. Entry and Work in IDLH Atmospheres 400

(1) For entry and work in atmospheres known or considered to be IDLH, the following 402 procedures shall be followed: 403

(a) A minimum of one employee shall be located outside the IDLH atmosphere. 405

i. The use of two employees inside the work area and two employees outside the 407 work area is recommended. 408

(b) Visual, voice, or signal line communication shall be maintained between employees 410 in the IDLH atmosphere and employees located outside the IDLH atmosphere. 411

(c) Employees located outside the IDLH atmosphere shall be trained and equipped to 413 provide effective emergency rescue. 414

(d) A supervisor or designee shall be notified before employees outside the IDLH 416 atmosphere enter to provide emergency rescue. 417 http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/PHMSA/DownloadableFiles/Files/Federal%20Register%20Historical%20Files/63fr__1998/63fr-58459.pdf

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(e) In addition to having the respiratory protection selected by a competent person, 418 employees trained to provide emergency rescue in IDLH atmospheres9 shall be 419 equipped with pressure-demand or positive-pressure SCBAs, or a positive-pressure 420 supplied-air respirator with auxiliary SCBA, and have either the appropriate retrieval 421 equipment for removing individuals from the IDLH atmosphere (such as a retrieval 422 line or a chest or full-body harness), or an equivalent means of rescue when retrieval 423 equipment is not available. 424

(2) For interior structural firefighting, the following procedures shall be followed in addition 426 to those in Section l(1) (applicable to the NIST Fire Protection Group only): 427

(a) Firefighters shall only enter the IDLH atmosphere in pairs and shall remain in visual 429 or voice contact with one another at all times. 430

(b) At least two firefighters shall be located outside the IDLH atmosphere the entire time 432 firefighters are within it. 433

i. One of the two firefighters located outside the IDLH atmosphere may be assigned 435 to an additional role, such as incident commander in charge of the emergency or 436 safety officer, so long as the individual is able to perform assistance or rescue 437 activities without jeopardizing the safety or health of any firefighter working at 438 the incident. 439

(c) Firefighters may perform emergency rescue activities before an entire team has 441 assembled. 442

l. Records (Other than Training Records) 444

(1) Results of hazard assessments conducted by competent persons of potential airborne 446 hazards or IDLH atmospheres shall be noted, referenced, or included as part of the 447 activity-hazard-review documentation. 448

(2) Records10 of monthly inspections of emergency-use respirators, including emergency-use 450 SCBAs, shall be maintained until replaced following a subsequent inspection. 451

9 To provide emergency rescue in IDLH atmospheres, individuals would require a high level of training in specialized emergency response. Such training is outside the scope of this suborder. For additional information, contact OSHE.

10 The records referenced in Sections 6n(2)-(6) could take the form of tags, labels, or reports.

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(3) Records of inspections of emergency escape-only respirators prior to their being carried 453 into the workplace shall be maintained. 454

(4) Records of quarterly air-quality testing for air supplied via compressors shall be 455 maintained until replaced following a subsequent air-quality test. 456

(5) Records of annual flow testing of all SCBAs shall be maintained until replaced following 458 a subsequent flow test. 459

(6) Records of weekly inspections of SCBAs used in firefighting shall be maintained until 461 replaced following a subsequent inspection. 462

m. Training 464

(1) Employees required to wear respirators, or who voluntarily wear respirators other than 466 filtering facepieces, shall complete: 467

(a) Training provided by OSHE on the applicable elements of the RPP; 469

(b) Retraining provided by OSHE on the applicable elements of the RPP at least 471 annually; and 472

(c) Retraining identified by the Official First-Level Supervisor whenever: 474

i. Changes in the workplace or in the type of respirator render training obsolete; 476

ii. Inadequacies in the employee's knowledge or use of the respirator indicate the 478 need for retraining; or 479

iii. Any other situation arises in which retraining appears necessary to ensure safe 481 respirator use. 482

(2) Employees who voluntarily wear filtering facepieces shall complete: 484

(a) Training provided by OSHE on the applicable elements of the RPP. 486

(3) Official First-Level Supervisors of employees required to wear respirators, or who 488 voluntarily wear respirators other than filtering facepieces, shall complete training 489 provided by OSHE on the elements of the RPP applicable to the employees they 490 supervise. 491

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(4) Training shall be documented and recorded in accordance with the requirements, roles, 493 and responsibilities in the Safety Education and Training suborder. 494

n. Communication 495

(1) Hazard signage shall be posted at entrances to areas in which respiratory protection is 497 required. Appendix A provides an example of hazard signage meeting these 498 requirements. 499

(2) Electronic or hard copies of this suborder and of 29 CFR 1910.134 shall be made 501 available to affected employees. 502

7. DEFINITIONS 505

a. Airborne Exposure – Exposure to a concentration of an airborne contaminant that would 506 occur if the employee were not using respiratory protection. 507

b. Airborne Hazard – Breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, 509 smokes, sprays, or vapors. 510

c. Air-Purifying Respirator – A type of respirator with an air-purifying filter, canister or 512 cartridge, which removes specific air contaminants by passing ambient air through the air-513 purifying element. 514

d. Atmosphere-Supplying Respirator – A respirator that supplies the user with breathing air 516 from a source independent of the ambient atmosphere, and includes supplied-air respirators 517 (SARs), and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units. 518

e. Canister or Cartridge – Container with a filter, sorbent, catalyst, or combination of these 520 items that removes specific contaminants from the air passed through the container. 521

f. Competent Person – A CIH or CSP in the NIST Office of Safety, Health and Environment 523

(OSHE) or another NIST Organizational Unit (OU), a consultant CIH or CSP , or an 524 individual directed by a CIH or CSP, who is capable of anticipating, recognizing, controlling, 525 and evaluating potential occupational hazards. 526

g. Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) – An individual who is board certified by the American 528

Board of Industrial Hygiene and has met the minimum requirements for education 529 experience, and through examination has demonstrated a minimum level of knowledge in 530 occupational health subject areas such as respiratory protection. 531

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h. Certified Safety Professional (CSP) – An individual who is board certified by the Board of 533 Certified Safety Professionals and has met the professional challenge of demonstrating 534 competency through education, experience, and examination. 535

i. Dust Mask – See Filtering Facepiece. 537

j. Escape-Only Respirator – A respirator intended to be used only for emergency exit. 539

k. Filtering Facepiece – Also referred to as a dust mask, is a negative pressure particulate 541 respirator with a particulate filter as an integral part of the facepiece or with the entire 542 facepiece composed of the filtering media. 543

l. Filter – A component used in respirators to remove solid or liquid aerosols from the inspired 545 air. 546

m. Fit Test – Protocol to quantitatively or qualitatively evaluate the fit of a tight-fitting respirator 548 on an individual. 549

n. Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) – An atmosphere that poses an immediate 551 threat to life, would cause irreversible adverse health effects, or would impair an individual's 552 ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere. An atmosphere is considered IDLH when the 553 airborne hazard cannot be identified, reasonably estimated, or the atmosphere is oxygen 554 deficient (<19.5% oxygen by volume). 555

o. Loose-Fitting Facepiece – A respiratory inlet covering designed to form a partial seal with 557 the face. 558

p. Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) – An upper limit on the acceptable concentration of a 560 hazardous substance in workplace air for a particular material or class of materials. 561

q. Personal Breathing Zone (PBZ) – The zone encompassing the nose and mouth and a 563 hemisphere forward of the shoulders with a radius of 6 to 9 inches (~ 1 foot sphere, with nose 564 being at the center of the sphere). 565

r. Potential Airborne Hazard – A hazard with the potential to become airborne within the PBZ 567 or to create an IDLH atmosphere. 568

s. Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) – A positive-pressure air-purifying respirator that 570 uses a blower to force the ambient air through air-purifying elements to the inlet covering. 571

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t. Respiratory Inlet Covering – That portion of a respirator that forms the protective barrier 572 between the user’s respiratory tract and an air-purifying device, or breathing air source, or 573 both. 574

u. Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) – An atmosphere-supplying respirator for 576 which the breathing air source is designed to be carried by the user. 577

v. Supplied-Air Respirator (SAR) or Airline Respirator – An atmosphere-supplying respirator 579 for which the source of breathing air is not designed to be carried by the user. 580

w. Tight-Fitting Facepiece – A respiratory inlet covering that forms a complete seal with the 582 face. 583

8. ACRONYMS 586

a. CGA – Compressed Gas Association 587

b. NFPA – National Fire Protection Association 589

c. NIOSH – The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 591

d. OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration 593

e. OSHE – Office of Safety, Health, and Environment 595

f. OU – Organizational Unit 597

g. PBZ – Personal Breathing Zone 599

h. RPP – Respiratory Protection Program 601

9. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 604

a. Employees Engaged in Activities Involving Airborne Hazards that Could Result in 605

Exposures that Exceed an OEL or Could Create an IDLH Atmosphere: 606

(1) If a concern arises regarding potential airborne hazards in an already ongoing activity, 608 schedule a consultation with a competent person as soon as possible to determine if the 609 airborne hazards could result in exposures that exceed an OEL or could create an IDLH 610 atmosphere; 611

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(2) If the hazard review of a new activity identifies potential airborne hazards, schedule a 612 consultation with a competent person to determine if the airborne hazards could result in 613 exposures that exceed an OEL or could create an IDLH atmosphere; 614

(3) If the hazard review of a change in an existing activity identifies new airborne hazards, or 616 potential increases in previously identified airborne hazards, schedule a consultation with 617 a competent person to determine if the airborne hazards could result in exposures that 618 exceed an OEL or could create an IDLH atmosphere; 619

(4) Inform Official First-Level Supervisors of any consultations scheduled with competent 621 persons and of the results of those consultations; 622

(5) If consultation with a competent person indicates that airborne hazards could result in 624 exposures that exceed an OEL or could create an IDLH atmosphere, arrange for a 625 competent person to assess the airborne hazards; 626

(6) When it has been determined by a competent person that, without controls, airborne 628 hazards would result in potential exposures that exceed an OEL or constitute an 629 atmosphere known or considered to be IDLH, implement feasible engineering controls in 630 an effort to reduce the level of airborne hazards in the PBZ to less than applicable OELs 631 or to mitigate the atmosphere known or considered to be IDLH; 632

(7) If feasible engineering controls fail to achieve the desired objectives, use respiratory 634 protection selected by a competent person to reduce potential exposures to airborne 635 hazards within the PBZ to less than applicable OELs or to prevent potential exposures to 636 the atmosphere known or considered to be IDLH; 11 and 637

(8) Ensure that the results of hazard assessments, i.e., the results of consultations, including 639 the results of exposure monitoring, mathematical calculations, or other means used to 640 assess the airborne hazards, are noted, referenced, or included as part of the activity-641 hazard-review documentation. 642

b. Employees Required to Wear Respirators, or Who Voluntarily Wear Respirators Other than 644 Filtering Facepieces (in addition to the responsibilities of above): 645

(1) Obtain medical evaluations in accordance with the requirements in Section 6e; 647

(2) Obtain fit tests in accordance with the requirements in Section 6f, if applicable; 649

11 Many precautions in addition to respiratory protection are necessary for employees other than first responders to enter atmospheres known or considered to be IDLH. For additional information, contact OSHE.

NIST S 7101.58 (Uncontrolled Copy in Print) Page 18

(3) Use, maintain, and care for the respirators provided by their Official First-Level 650 Supervisors in accordance with the requirements in Section 6g, 6h, and 6i, as applicable, 651 and their training as specified in Section 6m; 652

(4) Ensure that breathing air meets the requirements in Section 6j, if applicable; 654

(5) Enter and conduct work in IDLH atmospheres in accordance with the procedures in 656

Section 6k, if applicable; 657

(6) Complete the training specified in Section 6m, as assigned by their Official First-Level 659

Supervisors; and 660

(7) Request additional training as duties change or as otherwise needed. 662

c. Employees Who Voluntarily Wear Filtering Facepieces: 664

(1) Complete the training specified in Section 6m, as assigned by their Official First-Level 666

Supervisor. 667

d. Official First-Level Supervisors of Any of the Above Employees: 669

(1) Ensure that competent persons from outside of OSHE engaged by the OU to conduct 671 hazard assessments, select respiratory protection, or provide fit testing understand the 672 responsibilities delineated below for competent persons; 673

(2) Provide the results of hazard assessments resulting in employees they supervise being 675 required to wear respiratory protection, or resulting in their voluntarily wearing 676 respiratory protection, to all such affected employees, the OSHE RPP Manager, and the 677 Health Unit for inclusion in employee medical files; 678

(3) Ensure that the results of hazard assessments are noted, referenced, or included as part of 680 the activity-hazard-review documentation; 681

(4) Make electronic or hard copies of this suborder and of 29 CFR 1910.134 available to 683 employees they supervise who are required to, or voluntarily, wear respiratory 684 protection; 685

(5) Provide affected employees with the respiratory protection selected by a competent 687 person, at no cost to affected employees; 688

NIST S 7101.58 (Uncontrolled Copy in Print) Page 19

(6) Authorize the voluntary use of respirators by employees they supervise; 690

(7) Ensure that records, other than training records, are maintained in accordance with the 692 requirements in Section l; 693

(8) Assign training to the affected employees they supervise in accordance with the 695 requirements in Section 6m and do so when: 696

(a) Employees enter on duty; 698

(b) Employees’ duties change; and 700

(c) Special circumstances arise such as those indicated in Section 6m(1)(c). 702

(9) Ensure that training specified in Section 6m(1)(c) is documented and recorded in 704 accordance with the requirements, roles, and responsibilities in the Safety Education and 705 Training suborder; 706

(10) If employees they supervise are required to wear respirators, or are to voluntarily wear 708 respirators other than filtering facepieces, complete the training specified in Section 6m 709 for Official First-Level Supervisors; and 710

(11) Ensure that hazard signage meeting the requirements in Section 6n is posted at entrances 712 to areas in which respiratory protection is required. 713

e. Chief Safety Officer: 715

(1) Assign an OSHE employee to serve as the OSHE Safety Program Manager for the RPP at 717 both the Gaithersburg and Boulder sites.12 718

f. OSHE Respiratory Protection Program Manager: 720

(1) Administer the RPP in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.134; 722

(2) Ensure that electronic or hard copies of this suborder and of 29 CFR 1910.134 are made 724 available to the Health Units; 725

12 The OSHE Respiratory Protection Program Manager shall carry out the roles of “Program Administrator” identified in 29 CFR 1910.134.

NIST S 7101.58 (Uncontrolled Copy in Print) Page 20

(3) Retain all fit-testing records until the next required fit tests have been administered and 727 received and make such records available to affected employees upon request; 728

(4) Ensure that affected employees are notified when annual fit testing and training are due; 730

(5) Ensure that training provided by OSHE on the RPP is available and meets the 732 requirements of 29 CFR 1910.134(k), Training and Information; 733

(6) Ensure that training provided by OSHE on the RPP is documented in NIST’s electronic 735 safety training application; 736

(7) Ensure that non-web-based training provided by OSHE on the RPP and completed by 738 affected employees is recorded in NIST’s electronic safety training application; 739

(8) Assist NIST staff in the development of signage that complies with the requirements of 741 this suborder and the NIST Hazard Signage Program; and 742

(9) Implement procedures to evaluate program effectiveness. 744

g. Competent Persons: 746

(1) Consult with employees to determine if airborne hazards could result in exposures that 748 exceed an applicable OEL or could create an IDLH atmosphere; 749

(2) When airborne hazards could result in exposures that exceed an applicable OEL or could 751 create an IDLH atmosphere, conduct exposure monitoring or use mathematical 752 calculations or other means to assess the hazard, document the results in writing, and 753 provide those results to the employee who scheduled the assessment and his or her 754 Official First-Level Supervisor within 15 working days after the receipt of the results or 755 within the time frame specified in any applicable substance-specific OSHA standard; 756

(3) When it has been determined that employees must wear respiratory protection: 758

(a) Specify the necessary protection in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134(d), Selection 760 of Respirators; 761

(b) Provide the Health Unit with the following information: 763

i. The type and weight of the respirator to be used; 765

NIST S 7101.58 (Uncontrolled Copy in Print) Page 21

ii. The duration and frequency of respirator use (including use for rescue and 767 escape); 768

iii. The expected physical work effort; 770

iv. Additional protective clothing and equipment to be worn; and 772

v. Temperature and humidity extremes that may be encountered; 774

(4) Provide employees who have completed their medical examinations with fit testing in 776 accordance with 29 CFR 1910(f), Fit Testing; 777

(a) Provide fit-testing records to the OSHE RPP Manager. 779

h. Health Units: 781

(1) Administer a respiratory-protection medical evaluation program in accordance with 29 783 CFR 1910.134(e), Medical Evaluation, and 29 CFR 1910.1020, Access to Employee 784 Exposure and Medical Records. 785

10. AUTHORITIES 788

There are no authorities specific to this suborder alone. 789

11. DIRECTIVE OWNER 792

Chief Safety Officer. 793

12. APPENDICES 796

a. Hazard Signage 797

b. Revision History 798 https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owalink.query_links?src_doc_type=STANDARDS&src_unique_file=1910_0134&src_anchor_name=1910.134(e) https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owalink.query_links?src_doc_type=STANDARDS&src_unique_file=1910_0134&src_anchor_name=1910.134(e)

NIST S 7101.58 (Uncontrolled Copy in Print) Page 22

Appendix A. Hazard Signage 800

NIST S 7101.58 (Uncontrolled Copy in Print) Page 23

Appendix B. Revision History 805

Revision Date Responsible Person

Description of Change

1 01/07/2021 April Camenisch Updated suborder links. Added revision history appendix.

Appendix B. Revision History