Appendix D: Voluntary
Use of
Respirators,
Mandatory
Employee Information
Respirators
are an effective method of protection
against designated hazards when
properly
selected and worn. Respirator use is
encouraged, even when
exposures are below
the exposure limit, to provide an
additional level of comfort and
protection
for workers. However, if a respirator is
used improperly or not kept
clean, the
respirator itself can become a hazard to
the worker. Sometimes, workers
may
wear respirators to avoid exposures to
hazards, even if the amount of
hazardous
substance does not exceed the limits set
by OSHA standards. If your
employer
provides respirators for your voluntary
use, you need to take certain
precautions to be sure that the respirator
itself does not present a
hazard.
You
should do the following:
-
Read and
follow all
instructions provided by the
manufacturer on use, maintenance,
cleaning and care, and warnings
regarding the respirators
limitations.
-
Choose respirators certified for
use to
protect against the contaminant of
concern.NIOSH, the National
Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health of the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, certifies
respirators. A label or statement
of certification should appear on
the respirator or respirator
packaging. It will tell you what the
respirator is designed for and how
much it will protect you.
- Do not wear your respirator into
atmospheres
containing contaminants for which your
respirator is not designed to
protect against. For example, a
respirator designed to filter dust
particles will not protect you against
gases, vapors, or very small
solid particles of fumes or smoke.
-
Keep
track of your respirator so that you
do not mistakenly use someone
else's
respirator
(Taken
from
Appendix D to 29 CFR 1910.134, OSHA
Respiratory Protection)
_________________________________________________________________________________
Voluntary Use Agreement Form
Employee
Name : ________________________
________________________
(last)
(first)
Department
:
___________________________
Employee ID#:
__________________________
I
have read and understood the
information provided above regarding
voluntary
respirator use.
____________________________________
___________________
Employee
Signature
Date
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