The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) General Industry Standard on Respiratory Protection, 29 CFR 1910.134, requires that a Respiratory Protection program be established by the employer and that respirators be provided and be effective when such equipment is necessary to protect the health of the employee.

It is the Institute's goal to control respiratory hazards at their point of generation by using engineering controls and good work practices. In keeping with this goal, the use of respirators as the primary means of protecting employees from airborne hazards is considered acceptable only in very specific situations. These situations include short term, temporary experiments or projects where engineering controls are not feasible; use of respiratory protection as an added or supplemental control; and emergency conditions.

When it has been determined by the user in conjunction with the Industrial Hygiene Program (IHP) that respiratory protection may be used, it is the responsibility of each Department to provide a standard operating procedure with respect to the use of respirators. This procedure will be part of their Chemical Hygiene Plan or Safety Plan. Such a procedure is required even if respiratory protection is not required but is being used for comfort of Department personnel. This program must follow the guidelines set forth in this document. The Respirator Program includes the following components:

• Respiratory selection (including NIOSH approval)
• Instruction to Respirator Wearers
• Fit Testing of Respirators
• Assignment of Respirators
• Cleaning and Disinfecting
• Inspection and Maintenance
• Storage
• Work Area Surveillance
• Inspection and Evaluation of the Program
• Medical Examinations
• It is intended that each respirator user will be reviewed at least annually by the Industrial Hygiene Program.

Please view this PDF for complete documentaion on the Respiratory Protection Program

Additional Information:

1. Fact Sheet for Individuals Interested in Obtaining/Using a Respirator
   
2. Short Guidebook for Current Respirator Users
   
3. Broad Institute Powered Air-Purifying Respirator Use Guide
   
4. Exposure Estimate Form (to be filled out before first fit test)
   
5. Fact Sheet for Annual Fit Testing