Current Issues in the Assessment of Respiratory Protective Devices for Occupational and Non-Occupational Uses Proceedings of a Workshop (2021) / Chapter Skim
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3 Respiratory Risks and User Requirements for Nontraditional Workers
3 Respiratory Risks and User Requirements for Nontraditional Workers
Pages 17-30
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From page 17... ...
RESPIRATORY RISKS AND RESPIRATORY PROTECTION IN SCHOOLS AND MEATPACKING FACILITIES Bill Kojola, a retired industrial hygienist, discussed the respiratory risks faced by nontraditional workers who work in indoor environments where exposure risks often exist. In the context of respiratory risk and protection for indoor workers, the designation of "nontraditional" workers applies to worker populations in fields that are not typically associated with inhalation risks.
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From page 18... ...
Similarly, some custodians and maintenance workers in schools may wear respirators when using solvents to remove graffiti or when they could potentially be exposed to asbestos. Kojola observed that in those relatively uncommon situations where workers in K–12 schools are using RPDs, these devices are often not fit tested or evaluated, workers are not educated in how to use them, and the schools do not have the comprehensive respiratory protection programs required to ensure that the respirators used are providing their employees with the intended protection.
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From page 19... ...
SMOKE EXPOSURE AMONG WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS In his remarks, Joseph Domitrovich, an exercise physiologist at the U.S. Forest Service, discussed the job demands and respiratory protection needs of wildland firefighters.
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From page 20... ...
Domitrovich added that the short-duration exposures to high concentrations of contaminants have been linked to elevated risks of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease for both short-season and long-season wildland firefighters (Navarro et al., 2019) .5 accounted for 43.2 percent of all activity, light physical activity accounted for 9.4 percent, moderate physical activity accounted for 19 percent, and high physical activity accounted for 28.4 percent of all activity (West et al., 2020)
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From page 21... ...
Domitrovich suggested that this approach to developing wildland firefighting respirators may provide a broader range of options to help to ensure the respiratory protection of wildland firefighters in their dynamic working conditions. RESPIRATORY PROTECTION FOR NONTRADITIONAL WORKERS Kevin Riley, the director of research and evaluation at the Labor Occupational Safety & Health (LOSH)
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From page 22... ...
If the AQI for PM2.5 exceeds 500 and employees are expected to continue working, then employers must institute mandatory respiratory protection in accordance with all Cal/OSHA guidelines, which includes providing respiratory safety information to workers and establishing a respiratory protection program. Riley added that respiratory protection standards have not traditionally extended to the agricultural industry and that it is atypical for agricultural employers to have respiratory protection programs.
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From page 23... ...
Riley emphasized the importance of educating both employers and employees about respiratory risks and protection. LOSH has conducted trainings on the emergency regulation on protection from wildfire smoke for agricultural workers, which covers various kinds of respiratory hazards and types of respiratory protection, including how to wear and test an N95 mask.
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From page 24... ...
Moving forward, Riley said, it will be critical to evaluate and monitor the implementation of this emergency regulation, especially across the agricultural, domestic work, and day labor sectors. DISCUSSION Regulation of Respiratory Protection Programs for Nontraditional Users Harrison opened the discussion by noting that several questions had been submitted in regard to the role of OSHA and regulation for non traditional respirator wearers.
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From page 25... ...
Nontraditional Private-Sector Workplaces and Schools Kojola said that many nontraditional workplaces do have some exposure hazards that warrant the use of respirators and the establishment of respiratory protection programs. He continued that OSHA regulations apply to private-sector workplaces and that if a private-sector employer requires a worker to wear a respirator due to inhalation hazards, then the OSHA respiratory protection standard applies.
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From page 26... ...
Harrison asked how a respiratory protection program for wildland firefighters integrates with overall occupational safety and health efforts. Domitrovich agreed that a holistic approach is needed to improve wildland firefighter health and safety.
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Hazard Assessment Saying that a number of participant comments and questions related to hazard assessment, Harrison asked how hazard assessments can effectively determine the type of PPE necessary for nontraditional wearers, who should perform such assessments, and what kinds of respiratory protection programs should be created. He also relayed a question about whether NIOSH would be performing workplace health hazard evaluations to gather research to inform appropriate PPE determinations.
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From page 28... ...
Harrison asked whether OSHA regulations regarding assigned protection factors, fit testing, and compliance with the OSHA respiratory standard should ever be relaxed. Finally, Harrison asked whether nontraditional users should be required to conform to the same levels of compliance and standards used for traditional users.
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From page 29... ...
For example, he contended that the risks from wildfire smoke to agricultural workers and gardeners who are healthy and do not have pre-existing heart or lung disease is not sufficiently high to require a fit-tested N95. In trying to protect a large population of workers at some risk, he said, a practical approach can provide some protection even if it is not perfect according to an OSHA respiratory protection program.
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