mical safety goggles should be used wherever the potential for splashing exists.
The use of respiratory protection requires that a respiratory protection program be instituted which at a minimum meets the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.134.64 In addition to selection of respirators approved by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and NIOSH, a complete respiratory protection program should include at least regular training of personnel, maintenance, inspection, quantitative fit testing, and cleaning of equipment. The program should be evaluated regularly.
It must be stressed that the use of respiratory protection is the least preferred method of controlling worker exposures and should not be used as the only means of preventing or minimizing exposures during routine operations. However, NIOSH recognizes that respirators may be required to provide protection under certain situations (e.g., implementation of engineering controls, certain short-duration situations, emergencies, etc.). NIOSH maintains that only the most reliable respirators should be used to protect workers from exposure to workplace carcinogens. Such respirators consist of supplied-air, full facepiece, positive pressure respirators where odor warning and filter sorbent properties are not considered. Specifically, the following respirators are recommended for those situations.
- A self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode or
- A combination respirator that includes a type C supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure or continuous flow mode and an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode.
A medical surveillance program should be available that can evaluate both the acute and chronic effects of exposure to these monohalomethanes. The physician responsible should be provided with an estimate of the worker's potential exposure to these monohalomethanes, including any available workplace sampling results and a description of any protective devices or equipment the worker may be required to use. A thorough medical and work history should be taken initially and updated periodically. As part of this medical surveillance program, workers who are or may be exposed to these monohalomethanes should have preplacement and periodic evaluations focusing on a history of previous exposure to these and other toxic agents. The examining physician should direct particular attention to the hepatic, renal, respiratory, and central nervous systems, as these are most likely to be affected by these monohalomethanes.
- Page last reviewed: June 6, 2014
- Page last updated: June 6, 2014
- Content source:
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Education and Information Division