Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-842 - Respirators › Section 296-842-22020 - Follow procedures established for seal checking respirators

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
Make sure employees perform a user seal check as
				outlined in Table 21 the respirator is worn, to make sure the seal is
				adequate.
IMPORTANT:
1. User seal checks are
NOT
a substitute for fit tests. See WAC
			 296-842-22010 for fit
			 test procedures.
2. You
			 may use a seal check procedure recommended by the respirator
			 manufacturer
INSTEAD
of the procedure outlined in Table
			 21 if you can demonstrate the procedure is based on a scientific
			 study that, for example, demonstrates the procedure effectively
			 identifies respirators that fit poorly when put on or adjusted.
Table 21
User Seal Check
						  Procedure
Important information for
						  employees:
You need to conduct a seal check
each
						  time
you put your respirator on
BEFORE
you enter
						  the respirator use area. The purpose of a seal check is to make sure
						  your respirator (which has been previously fit tested by your
						  employer) is properly positioned on your face to prevent leakage
						  during use and to detect functional problems
The procedure below has two parts; a positive
						  pressure check and a negative pressure check.
Yo u must
						  complete both parts each time.
It should only take a few
						  seconds to perform, once you learn it
If you cannot pass both parts, your
						  respirator is NOT functioning properly, see your supervisor for
						  further instruction.
Positive pressure check:
1. Remove exhalation valve cover, if
						  removable.
2. Cover the exhalation valve completely with
						  the palm of your hand
WHILE
exhaling gently to inflate
						  the facepiece slightly.
3. The respirator facepiece should remain
						  inflated (indicating a build-up of positive pressure and
NO
outward leakage).
a. If you detect
NO
leakage,
						  replace the exhalation valve cover (if removed), and proceed to
						  conduct the negative pressure check
b. If you detect evidence of leakage,
						  reposition the respirator (after removing and inspecting it), and try
						  the positive pressure check again.
Negative pressure check:
4. Completely cover the inhalation opening(s)
						  on the cartridges or canister with the palm(s) of your hands
WHILE
inhaling gently to collapse the facepiece
						  slightly.
If you cannot use the palm(s) of your hands
						  to effectively cover the inhalation openings on cartridges or
						  canisters, you may use:
Filter seal(s) (if available)
OR
Thin rubber gloves.
5. Once the facepiece is collapsed, hold your
						  breath for 10 seconds
WHILE
keeping the inhalation
						  openings covered.
6. The facepiece should remain slightly
						  collapsed (indicating negative pressure and
NO
inward
						  leakage).
a. If you detect
NO
evidence of
						  leakage, the tightness of the facepiece is considered adequate, the
						  procedure is completed, and you may now use the respirator
b. If you detect leakage, reposition the
						  respirator (after removing and inspecting it) and repeat
BOTH
the positive and negative fit checks.
Statutory Authority:
				  RCW  49.17.050 and 29
				  C.F.R. Subpart Z. 09-19-119, § 296-842-22020, filed 9/22/09,
				  effective 12/1/09. Statutory Authority:
				  RCW  49.17.010,
				  49.17.040,
				  49.17.050,
				  49.17.060. 07-05-072,
				  § 296-842-22020, filed 2/20/07, effective 4/1/07; 03-20-114,
				  § 296-842-22020, filed 10/1/03, effective
				  1/1/04.