Page 28 - OHS, October 2024

R E S P I R A T O R Y P R O T E C T I O N
Is Your Respiratory Protection Program Administrator Qualifi ed?
What qualities and knowledge do respiratory protection program administrators need?
BY BART ELTZ, PH.D, CIH, CSP
29 CFR 1910.134(c)(3), requires employers to designate a
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s section
respiratory protection program administrator who is quali-
fi ed to handle the complexity of the respiratory protection
program for that employer. OSHA also provides more written guid-
ance in its Small Entity Compliance Guide for Respiratory Protection
Standard (OSHA 3384).
Taking this guidance into consideration with the rapid growth of
new technologies, how do you know if your respiratory protection
program administrator is up to the challenge? In many diff erent in-
dustries, OSH professionals are looked upon to provide training and
fi t-testing to personnel who will need respiratory protection to safely
complete their job tasks. Another important aspect to the training and
fi t-testing process is to inspire confi dence in the wearer of the respira-
tor so that they know they are being protected.
However, it takes more than just a presentation and shiny fi t-test
equipment to drive credibility. If your administrator lacks serious
time behind a mask or within the workplace in question, they may
lack credibility with front-line workers and thus, have a diffi cult time
changing their behaviors.
Employees might believe the administrator does not know what
it’s like to wear a mask for an eight-hour-plus day, while wearing
other personal protective equipment (PPE) as well. Whether it’s
right or wrong, many front-line workers want to know that those
performing the training and fi t-testing know what it’s like to work
in the conditions they experience.
Along the lines of credibility, has your technician been out in
the plant, or in the fi eld, or the distribution center, etc.? Have they
been in the industry, quantifying the hazard to your employees?
Have they been coaching not only the front-line employees but
also the line leaders, supervisors, managers and the like?
What about the process?
Does your administrator know the process? How the widgets are
made, from raw materials to fi nished widgets; what are the processes
that are performed to ensure that you can make a sellable product?
Do they understand, for example, the waste products that run into
the sump system that is pumped out and why your workers need to
go into this area to inspect it and possibly clean it? Say once a year,
workers are required to change out 500 high-effi ciency bags from a
bag house used to clean particulates out of the plant air.
Your administrator needs to understand workers could wear a
full-face negative pressure air-purifying respirator but depending
on the time of year and your geographic location, some sort of at-
mosphere supplying respirator will go above and beyond when it
comes to worker comfort while per-
forming this task.
Knowing this issue with the pro-
cess and the extreme heat, the ad-
ministrator can advocate for the in-
REFERENCES
• tinyurl.com/4k3sad26
• tinyurl.com/4y9wpvat
• tinyurl.com/2sb8fc5k
creased cost and how it can improve
productivity, and at times, reduce heat stress during this annual
task. Th is would go for miles as positive support from the workers.
Safety Science
Does your potential respiratory protection administrator under-
stand the safety science behind the respiratory hazard and how
we try to protect from it? Can they explain how certain volatile
organic vapors (VOCs) may desorb from the activated charcoal
based on high temperatures or humidity levels? Do they know
how to fi x these types of issues, as well as understand the need to
use similar parts and pieces for respirators? If prompted, could he
or she explain how NIOSH exposes N95 respirators to 0.3 micron
sized sodium chloride particles at a fl ow rate of 85 liters per min-
ute to simulate high-breathing rates while wearing the N95 masks
(NPPTL, 2024)? Can they explain aerosol science in detail?
Let’s not confuse one’s academic prowess with real-world under-
standing and application of the principles and science. No one cares
if the administrator scored an A+ in Aerosol Science 101. All that
matters is the confi dence the administrator builds in the individuals
who are wearing the protective masks.
Th is discussion emphasizes the importance of a qualifi ed and ef-
fective respiratory protection program administrator, highlighting
not only technical knowledge but also the ability to communicate
eff ectively and build trust with employees. According to OSHA
guidelines (29 CFR 1910.134(c)(3)), the administrator must be
well-versed in both regulatory requirements and the specifi c work-
place conditions where respiratory protection is needed.
First, credibility is crucial. Th e administrator should have
hands-on experience working in environments like those of the
employees, such as wearing a respirator for extended periods while
using other PPE. Second, the administrator must have a deep un-
derstanding of the workplace environment. Th is includes know-
ing the processes, hazards, and tasks employees perform. By un-
derstanding these intricacies, the administrator can recommend
appropriate respiratory protection tailored to specifi c conditions.
Lastly, the administrator must grasp safety science behind respira-
tory hazards. Th is technical knowledge, combined with clear com-
munication, helps build confi dence among workers, ensuring they
feel protected while performing their duties.
In summary, a respiratory protection program administrator
must not only be knowledgeable, but also be an eff ective commu-
nicator who understands the workers’ environment and can earn
their trust, while advocating for solutions that enhance their safety
and comfort.
Bart Eltz, Ph.D., CIH, CSP, is lead faculty of OSH graduate programs
at Columbia Southern University’s College of Safety & Emergency Ser-
vices. With 30-plus years of experience, he has led nartional and global
industrial hygiene, environmental, radiation and safety programs. A
recognized expert in EHS program management, he has implemented
initiatives that improve workplace safety and protect environments.
28 Occupational Health & Safety | OCTOBER 2024 www.ohsonline.com