Page 83 - Occupational Health & Safety, July/August 2019

Interviewer: “What’s the most shocking respiratory incident you have ever witnessed/heard of? How would the proper use of a respirator have made the difference?”
Brian: “I am also an assistant fire chief for a volunteer fire de- partment. I’ve been a firefighter for 24 years. The scariest incident that I have ever witnessed was when a firefighter in an SCBA was in a structure and the firefighter was in too long and was not aware of the conditions they were in and their facepiece softened. We were using positive pressure air systems, so the positive pressure air started pushing the facepiece out since it was soft, and made it into a bubble. Luckily, the firefighter was able to get outside before it failed completely, but they were that close to singeing their lungs, because in order for that to melt, it had to have been well over 400 degrees.”
To Conclude
When it comes to respiratory safety, it is not enough to simply un- derstand the basics of this type of personal protective equipment (PPE). Users also must be aware of the most commonly overlooked aspects of respirator safety. When using respirators as a form of PPE, individuals should keep these “Do’s and Don’ts” in mind:
■ Always use the respirator they were fit tested on.
■ Select the correct cartridge for the job.
■ Know the life of the cartridge—change the cartridge as
necessary.
■ Perform a positive and negative air pressure test each time a
respirator is worn.
■ Use properly calibrated and maintained air monitoring devices in accordance with your company’s procedures and safe work permits.
■ Ensure escape respirators are easily accessible. This means free of any excessive packaging and nearby (preferably on your person).
■ Always test respirators before each use and check for any damage.
■ Ensure you have undergone the proper training and drills on how to use the respirator.
■ Perform drills to ensure you are able to quickly and efficient- ly don an escape respirator.
One common point that both experts stressed was that our re- spiratory system is fragile and critical. By keeping these 10 tips in mind, professionals in the hazardous chemicals industry can pro- tect themselves and others from serious injury.
Robyn Brooks is the Vice President of Health, Environment, Safety & Security (HESS) at The Chlorine Institute (CI, https://www.chlo- rineinstitute.org/), where she has worked since 2012. Her current re- sponsibilities include overseeing the HESS Issue Team and serving as the point of contact for CI at several government agencies. CI actively engages in the regulatory process and representing members on issues that affect the chlor-alkali industry. A Summa Cum Laude gradu- ate, she earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She is currently working on her MBA at The University of Maryland.
www.ohsonline.com
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