Page 84 - Occupational Health & Safety, July 2018

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
Seven Respiratory Hazards Every Safety Manager Should Understand
Different equipment protects against different risks. Ensure your equipment matches the risk.
BY SALLY J. SMART
78 Occupational Health & Safety | JULY 2018
www.ohsonline.com
Breathing problems continue to rank as one of the most frequently cited1 OSHA stan- dards. In 2017, OSHA issued 3,381citations for respiratory-related violations, including
failure to have a written respiratory protection pro- gram and failure to conduct required medical exami- nations for workers who use respirators. So it is clear those responsible for safety must continue to pay spe- cial attention to these issues.
The fact is today’s complex industrial envi- ronments have led to changing respiratory risks. Although many of the leading risks are not new, changing conditions over time may have heightened the risks for workers. Or, in some cases, OSHA has upped the protection requirements for substances as new research emerges. Factors such as the possibil- ity of a chemical or biological attack have heightened safety concerns.
GRAINGER