Page 62 - Occupational Health & Safety, July 2017

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
3. What other best practices can you share about conduct- ing PHAs?
Once all potential risks have been identified through a PHA, it’s important to also understand an emergency situation’s degree of severity in a given workplace environment. The degree of severity is classified according to the definitions of “High,” “Specific,” and “General” as previously established by NIOSH.2
A “High” degree of severity refers to oxygen-deficient atmo- spheres (less than 19.5 percent volume oxygen levels) where un- known toxic substances are present in high or unknown concen- trations. If a situation is deemed “Specific,” known toxic substances will be present in high concentrations, and the “General” degree of severity scenarios involve the presence of toxic substances at levels that are considered low for the particular type of toxic substance present. Unlike “High” situations, both “Specific” and “General” scenarios have sufficient levels of oxygen.
This understanding may lead safety managers to identify a pool of respirators that could work for the potential emergency situation but may not be the right fit. The next step for safety managers is to evaluate each respirator against the potential risks identified during the PHA.
4. How can safety managers effectively distinguish the “right” respirator from their list of potential candidates?
Safety managers should narrow down their options to the respirators that will provide the most effective solution based on the PHA-identified risks. For example, if workers require protec-
tion from fire, a “Specific” hazard toxin release, and are located in a space that’s subject to atmospheric volatility, both an air escape hood and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) would be suitable choices. If they need protection from a toxin release in a “High” hazard situation with atmospheric volatility O2 deficiency, a pressure demand supplied air respirator with an escape cylinder, self-contained emergency escape breathing apparatus, or SCBA would be appropriate.
But deeper than just protection level, safety managers would be wise to understand each chosen respirator’s capabilities. Re- searching the benefits and drawbacks to each device yields crucial information for safety managers as they decide which product works best for their workers and work environment. For example, is there one device that has the correct combination filters that protect against the PHA-identified toxic industrial gases, vapors, and particles? Is the respirator of choice designed with a mate- rial that has a higher heat resistance than others? While these are just a few things that should be considered during the decision- making process, one can never ask too many questions when it comes to worker safety.
5. What are some “must-have” features for emergency escape respirators?
During emergency escape scenarios, ease of use and impen- etrable materials are two huge “must-have” respirator features that safety managers should consider.
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