Disaster Site Worker Safety

1
Disaster Site Worker Safety

• Module 4
• Air-Purifying Respirators and Hoods

2
Objectives

• Identify if an air-purifying respirator is
  approved for CBRNE use by NIOSH.
• List the limitations of APRs.
• List the types of APRs.
• Describe some respiratory hazards.
• Explain what must occur before a user can wear a
  respiratory protection device such as an APR.

3
Respiratory Protection and CBRNE

• Terrorists are likely to strike near large
  population centers
• May target a remote chemical facility
• Natural disasters can impact anyone
• No town, city, or state is immune

4
NIOSH Certification

• There is no universal type of respirator that is
  effective against all CBRN threats.
• There won't be one respirator that will do
  everything.
• There are currently respirators that will provide
  some protection against CBRNE agents.

5
Onsite Chemical or Warfare Agent

• Facilities with compliant respiratory protection
  programs likely are prepared for the release of
  existing chemicals whether by accident, terrorist
  activity, or disaster.
• Respirators typically are stored and distributed
  as needed however, respirators for terrorist
  response need to be readily available.

6
Responding or Escaping

• The type of respirator protection needed in the
  event of a terrorist attack or disaster event
  depends on the type of hazard present and whether
  workers are emergency responders or are part of
  the work force trying to escape.
• Each scenario calls for a specific type of
  protection.

7
Responding

• First responders may be dressed out Level A.
• Disaster site workers will respond at a later
  time in Level C or Level D.
• Respiratory hazards are not the only concern for
  responders to a CBRNE or disaster incident.
• Dermal exposure or physical exposure may be the
  limiting factors.

8
Escape Respirators

• If escaping from a terrorist attack, only some
  filter media will protect workers.
• Respirators for use against CBRNE agents will not
  be effective unless
• The hazard in question has been properly
  identified.
• The mask is fitted and used properly.
• The product is used in areas containing
  sufficient oxygen.

9
Escape Hoods

• It's important that smoke escape hoods not be
  used for terrorist attacks because they do not
  provide adequate protection against CBRNE agents.
• One type of escape hood contains an internal
  half-mask respirator.
• Other hoods contain a mouth bit (some with a nose
  clip) and cartridge, or short-term supplied air.

10
APR

• Remove air contaminants by filtering, absorbing,
  adsorbing, or chemical reaction with the
  contaminants
• Used only where adequate oxygen (19.5 to 23.5
  percent by volume) is available

11
APR Limitations

• They do not work for all chemical environments.
• They cannot be used in an IDLH atmosphere.
• They can only be used where adequate oxygen
  exists.
• They cannot be used for CBRNE agents unless NIOSH
  approved.

12
Types of APRs

• Dust mask
• Half-face
• Full-face
• Hoods
• SARs

13
NIOSH Filter Classifications

• N - For solid particulates and non-oil aerosols
  that do not degrade filter performance.
• R - For solid particulates and degrading oil
  based aerosols. R filters have "Use Limitations."
• P - For solid particulates and degrading oil
  based aerosols. P filters have no "Use
  Limitations" other than those normally associated
  with particulate filters.
• Three efficiency levels 95 99 99.97

14
Respiratory Hazards

• Dusts
• Mists
• Fumes
• Gases
• Vapors

15
Respirator Use

• Workers who are required to use respirators must
  be
• Trained such that they can demonstrate knowledge
  of at least why the respirator is necessary and
  how improper fit, use, or maintenance can
  compromise its protective effect
• Medically evaluated to determine their ability to
  safely wear the respirator
• Fit tested to ensure the respirator will provide
  adequate wear-time protection
• Proper respirator use includes adequate cleaning
  and inspection, donning, user seal checks, and
  doffing.