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THE ORCBS > Occupational Safety > Programs & Guidelines > Respiratory Protection > Respiratory Protection Program >
 RESPIRATOR
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS - RESPIRATOR CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
Respirators
should be regularly cleaned and disinfected. Respirators issued
for the exclusive use of one worker may be cleaned as often as necessary.
Weekly or monthly cleaning is usually adequate but more frequent
cleaning may be necessary. Shared respirators or emergency use respirators
must be cleaned and disinfected after each use. The need for respirator
decontamination should also be considered when determining the frequency
of cleaning.
1. Cleaning
and Disinfecting
These procedures
are provided for supervisors to arrange for proper cleaning of
respirators. They are general in nature, and the supervisor as
an alternative may use the cleaning recommendations provided by
the manufacturer of the respirators used by their employees.
Procedures
for Cleaning Respirators:
a) Remove
filters, cartridges, or canisters. Disassemble facepieces by
removing speaking diaphragms, demand and pressure- demand valve
assemblies, hoses, or any components recommended by the manufacturer.
Discard or replace any defective parts.
b) Wash
components in warm (43° C [110° F] maximum) water with a mild
detergent or with a cleaner recommended by the manufacturer.
A stiff bristle (not wire) brush may be used to facilitate the
removal of dirt.
c) When
the cleaner used does not contain a disinfecting agent, respirator
components should be immersed for two minutes in one of the
following:
i. Hypochlorite
solution (50 ppm of chlorine) made by adding approximately
one milliliter of laundry bleach to one liter of water at
43° C (110° F); or,
ii. Aqueous
solution of iodine (50 ppm iodine) made by adding approximately
0.8 milliliters of tincture of iodine (6-8 grams ammonium
and/or potassium iodide/100 cc of 45% alcohol) to one liter
of water at 43° C (110° F); or,
iii. Other
commercially available cleansers of equivalent disinfectant
quality when used as directed, if their use is recommended
or approved by the respirator manufacturer.
d) Rinse
components thoroughly in clean, warm (43° C [110° F] maximum),
preferably running water. The importance of thorough rinsing
cannot be overemphasized. Detergents or disinfectants that dry
on facepieces may result in dermatitis. In addition, some disinfectants
may cause deterioration of rubber or corrosion of metal parts
if not completely removed.
e) Components
should be hand-dried with a clean lint-free cloth or air-dried.
f) Reassemble
facepiece.
g) Test
the respirator to ensure that all components work properly.
2. Storage
When not in
use, the respirator and cartridges should be kept in a sealed
container and stored in a clean, dry, moderate temperature, non-contaminated
environment. It is especially important to keep gas and vapor
cartridges in a sealed container so they do not passively adsorb
gases and vapors from the storage area, thereby reducing the filter
service life. Particulate filters should also be protected from
dusts and dirt. Emergency use respirators should be stored in
a sturdy compartment that is quickly accessible and clearly marked.
If a respirator has become contaminated, cleaning it prior to
storage is crucial.
3. Replacement
Parts
Consult the
manufacture or distributor for replacement parts and filters.
The ORCBS has a list of replacement parts and filters for each
respirator model.
4. Inspection
Procedures and Schedules
Each respirator
shall be inspected routinely before and after use. Respirators
shall be inspected by the user immediately prior to each to ensure
that it is in proper working condition use. After cleaning, each
respirator shall be inspected to determine if it is in proper
working condition and if it needs replacement of parts or repairs.
Each respirator stored for emergency or rescue use shall be inspected
at least monthly, and shall be checked for proper function before
and after each use.
a) Inspection
Checklist for Disposable Respirators
i. Holes
in filter
ii. Elasticity
of straps
iii. Deterioration
of straps and metal nose clip
b) Inspection
Checklist for Air-purifying respirators
i. Facepiece
- Dirt
- Cracks,
tears, or holes
- Distortion
of facepiece
- Cracked,
scratched, or loose fitting lenses
ii. Headstraps
- Breaks
or tears
- Loss
of elasticity
- Broken
buckles or attachments
- Worn
serration on head harness which might allow facepiece to slip
iii. Inhalation
and Exhalation Valves
- Dust
particles, dirt, or detergent residue on valve and valve seat
- Cracks,
tears, or distortion in valve material
- Missing
or defective valve covers
iv. Filter
Elements
- Proper
filter for the hazard
- Approval
designation
- Missing
or worn gaskets
- Worn
threads on filter and facepiece
- Cracks
or dents in filter housing
- Deterioration
of gas mask canister harness
- Service
life indicator, or end of service date
v. Breathing
tube
- Cracks
or holes
- Missing
or loose hose clamps
- Broken
or missing end connectors
- Flow
rate on PAPR
c) Inspection
Checklist For Atmosphere-supplying Respirators
i. Hood,
Helmet, Blouse, or Full Suit
- Rips
or torn seams
- Headgear
suspension
- Cracks
or breaks in faceshield
- Protective
screens that are intact and fit correctly over faceshields,
hoods, or blouses
ii. Air
supply systems
- Breathing
air quality
- Breaks
or kinks in air supply hoses and fittings
- Tightness
of connections
- Settings
of regulators and valves
- Correct
operations of air-purifying elements and alarm for carbon
monoxide or high temperatures
Documentation and Record Keeping
Respiratory Protection Program
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