Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-307 - Safety standards for agriculture › SPECIALIZED OPERATIONS › Part Y-5 - Respirators › Section 296-307-62020 - Follow procedures established for seal checking respirators

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
IMPORTANT:
1. User seal checks are
NOT
a
				  substitute for fit tests. See WAC
				  296-307-62010
				  for fit test procedures.
2. The
				  employer may use a seal check procedure recommended by the respirator
				  manufacturer
INSTEAD
of the procedure outlined in Table 21 if the
				  employer 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.
The employer must make sure employees perform a user seal
					 check as outlined in Table 21,
EACH TIME
the respirator is worn,
					 to make sure the seal is adequate.
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.
You 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).
*If you detect
NO
leakage, replace
								the exhalation valve cover (if removed), and proceed to conduct the negative
								pressure check
*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).
* 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
* If you detect leakage, reposition the respirator
								(after removing and inspecting it) and repeat
BOTH
the positive
								and negative fit checks.
Statutory Authority:
						RCW
						 49.17.010,
						49.17.040,
						49.17.050,
						49.17.060. 05-01-166, §
						296-307-62020, filed 12/21/04, effective
						4/2/05.