Respirators Checklist

These tailgate/toolbox talks were developed for use under California OSHA regulations. The complete set is available from the Labor Occupational Health Program at UC Berkeley. For ordering information, visit the website (www.lohp.org) The American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has adapted these talks to apply to federal OSHA regulations. To contact ACGIH, visit its web site (www.acgih.org).

Date Prepared:_________________________	By:_______________________
Project Name/No.______________________	Location:__________________

• Check the box if the statement is true.
  
  
• Fill in the blanks where the appears.

WRITTEN PROGRAM

• The company has a current, written Respiratory Protection Program. [1531(f)]

Copies are available at:______________________________

RESPIRATOR USE

• Respirators are always provided by the company and used by workers when contaminant levels may be above the Cal/OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) for any hazardous substance, or when working in any dangerous atmosphere. [1531(a)]
  
• Potentially hazardous exposures on this site, and type of respirator(s) required, have been identified. [1509]

Fill in the chart on page 3.

• Respirators are equipped with the right type of cartridges for the particular contaminant. [1531(b)]
  
• Paper dust masks are not used to control exposure to asbestos [1529(i)] or other toxic chemicals. [1531(b)]
  
• Air supplied respirators (not air purifying respirators) are worn in low oxygen areas. [1531(b)]

Possible low oxygen area(s) on this site: _________________________________________________

• Workers wearing respirators are clean-shaven at the points of seal. [1531(c)]
  
• Workers perform positive and negative pressure tests each time they put a respirator on. [1531(c)]
  
• Respirators, cartridges, and replacement parts have been approved by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). [1531(b)]
  
• Workers who wear respirators have been medically evaluated, fit-tested, and trained. [1531(c) and (h)]

AIRLINE RESPIRATORS

• Breathing air is “Grade D” and free from any harmful substances. [1531(e)(1)]
  
• If a compressor is used, it is equipped with Cal/OSHA required safety and standby devices, including an alarm which signals system failure. [1531(e)(3)]
  
• Breathing gas cylinders are labeled with the words AIR or OXYGEN. [1531(e)(2)
  
• Airline couplings are unique (incompatible with other outlets) to prevent accidentally connecting the respirator to hazardous gases. [1531(e)(4)

RESPIRATOR CARE

• Respirators are stored in impermeable bags out of the work area when not in use. [1531(d)] (Impermeable plastic, wood, or metal boxes are also permissible.)
  
• Respirators are cleaned prior to storage. [1531(d)]
  
• Cartridges are replaced on a routine basis, as specified in the company’s written Respiratory Protection Program. [1531(f)]
  
• Workers inspect respirators for damage prior to each use. [1531(c)]
  
• Workers don’t wear respirators with damaged straps or facepieces. [1531(c)]
  
• Replacement parts are obtained only from the original manufacturer or authorized vendor, and are designed for that respirator. [1531(b)]

HAZARDOUS EXPOSURE AND PROTECTION CHART Fill in for each potentially hazardous exposure on the site:

Hazardous Substance	PEL	Air Monitoring Results*	Type of Respirator Required

* Note: Respirators should be used unless air monitoring has shown them to be unnecessary.

GENERAL INSPECTION
Other Hazards Noted	Action
Near Miss Reports:
Other: