California Code of Regulations › Title 8 - Industrial Relations › Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations › Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety › Subchapter 7 - General Industry Safety Orders › Group 16 - Control of Hazardous Substances › Article 107 - Dusts, Fumes, Mists, Vapors and Gases › Appendix B-2 to Section 5144 - Respirator Cleaning Procedures (Mandatory)

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
These procedures are provided for employer use when
						  cleaning respirators. They are general in nature, and the employer as an
						  alternative may use the cleaning recommendations provided by the manufacturer
						  of the respirators used by their employees, provided such procedures are as
						  effective as those listed here in Appendix B-2. Equivalent effectiveness simply
						  means that the procedures used must accomplish the objectives set forth in
						  Appendix B-2, i.e., must ensure that the respirator is properly cleaned and
						  disinfected in a manner that prevents damage to the respirator and does not
						  cause harm to the user.
I. 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 repair any defective parts.
B. Wash components in warm (43 deg. C [110 deg. 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. Rinse components thoroughly in clean, warm (43 deg.
						  C [110 deg. F] maximum), preferably running water. Drain.
D. When the cleaner used does not contain a
						  disinfecting agent, respirator components should be immersed for two minutes in
						  one of the following:
1. Hypochlorite solution (50 ppm of chlorine) made by
						  adding approximately one milliliter of laundry bleach to one liter of water at
						  43 deg. C (110 deg. F); or,
2. 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 deg.
						  C (110 deg. F); or,
3. Other commercially available cleansers of equivalent
						  disinfectant quality when used as directed, if their use is recommended or
						  approved by the respirator manufacturer.
E. Rinse components thoroughly in clean, warm (43 deg.
						  C [110 deg. F] maximum), preferably running water. Drain. 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.
F. Components should be hand-dried with a clean
						  lint-free cloth or air-dried.
G. Reassemble facepiece, replacing filters, cartridges,
						  and canisters where necessary.
H. Test the respirator to ensure that all components
						  work properly.
1. New
						  appendix B-2 to section
						  5144 filed 8-25-98; operative
						  11-23-98 (Register 98, No. 35).
Note: Authority cited: Section
							 142.3, Labor
							 Code. Reference: Section
							 142.3, Labor
							 Code.