Opinion ID: 74019
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Highlights of the Standard

Text: 6 The Standard retains the Hierarchy-of-Controls Policy, which as a general matter prefers engineering controls over respirators worn by individual employees. 29 C.F.R. 1910.134(a)(1). However, the employer is required to provide respirators for its employees when respirators are necessary to protect their health. 29 C.F.R. 1910.134(a)(2). The Standard requires certain employers to develop and implement a written respiratory protection program that includes several mandatory items. 29 C.F.R. 1910.134(c). Employers are required to select particular types of respirators based on certain criteria, such as the nature of harmful contaminants and workplace and user factors. 29 C.F.R. 1910.134(d). In this regard, atmospheres in workplaces are classified into two categories: immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH), and non-IDLH. Only certain highly effective types of respirators may be used in IDLH atmospheres. 29 C.F.R. 1910.134(d)(2). With respect to non-IDLH atmospheres, the Standard permits an employer to choose between atmosphere-supplying respirators (i.e., those with a self-equipped oxygen tank) and the less burdensome air-purifying respirators (i.e., those which merely filter the incoming air). 29 C.F.R. 1910.134(d)(3)(iii). However, air-purifying respirators are usable only if certain specified steps are taken to ensure that the filtering device is working and maintained properly. 29 C.F.R. 1910.134(d)(3)(iii)(B). The medical evaluation provisions of the Standard require the employer to provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace. 29 C.F.R. 1910.134(e)(1). The medical evaluation provisions spell out the procedures in this regard much more specifically than the prior standard. In addition, whereas licensed physicians were responsible for such medical evaluations under the prior standard, the Standard allows non-physician licensed health care professionals to perform such evaluations to the extent allowed under state law. 29 C.F.R. 1910.134(e)(2). The new Standard also contains detailed provisions relating to initial and periodic fit-testing to ensure respirators fit an employee-user's face properly, 29 C.F.R. 1910.134(f), proper day-to-day use of respirators, 29 C.F.R. 1910.134(g), maintenance and care of respirators, 29 C.F.R. 1910.134(h), the required quality of the breathing gases used in conjunction with an air-supplying respirator, 29 C.F.R. 1910.134(i), proper identification and labeling of filters, cartridges, and canisters, 29 C.F.R. 1910.134(j), provision of training and information to employees, 29 C.F.R. 1910.134(k), periodic self-evaluations of an employer's written respiratory protection program to ensure that it continues to work properly, 29 C.F.R. 1910.134(l), and appropriate record-keeping regarding medical evaluations and fit-testing, 29 C.F.R. 1910.134(m). 7