A respiratory protection program is a written plan that describes how an employer will protect workers from exposure to hazardous airborne contaminants. A respiratory protection program is required by OSHA for any workplace where employees may be exposed to hazardous airborne contaminants. A respiratory protection program must include the following elements: A sample respiratory protection program template can help you to create a program that meets OSHA’s requirements.
A respiratory protection program template can be found on the OSHA website. The template includes all of the elements required by OSHA for a respiratory protection program. The template can be customized to fit the specific needs of your workplace.
OSHA’s respiratory protection standard, 29 CFR 1910.134, requires employers to develop and implement a written respiratory protection program whenever employees are exposed to respiratory hazards. The program must be kept up to date and readily available to employees. A sample respiratory protection program template can help employers to develop a program that meets the requirements of the standard.
Elements of a Respiratory Protection Program
A respiratory protection program template includes the following elements:
- Policy statement: A policy statement that describes the employer’s commitment to respiratory protection.
- Workplace assessment: A workplace assessment that identifies the respiratory hazards in the workplace.
- Respirator selection: A respirator selection process that determines the appropriate type of respirator for each hazard.
- Respirator use: A respirator use policy that describes how respirators will be used in the workplace.
- Respirator maintenance: A respirator maintenance program that describes how respirators will be maintained in good working condition.
- Medical evaluation: A medical evaluation program that ensures that employees are medically able to wear respirators.
- Training: A training program that educates employees about the respiratory protection program.
- Recordkeeping: A recordkeeping system that documents the implementation of the respiratory protection program.
Benefits of Using a Sample Respiratory Protection Program Template
There are many benefits to using a sample respiratory protection program template. Some of the benefits include:
- Saves time: A template can save you time by providing you with a starting point for developing your program.
- Ensures compliance: A template can help you to ensure that your program meets OSHA’s requirements.
- Provides guidance: A template can provide guidance on how to develop and implement a respiratory protection program.
- Protects employees: A well-developed respiratory protection program can help to protect employees from exposure to hazardous airborne contaminants.
A sample respiratory protection program template can be a valuable tool for employers who need to develop a respiratory protection program. A template can help you to save time, ensure compliance, provide guidance, and protect employees.
To create a respiratory protection program from scratch, follow these steps:
- Identify the respiratory hazards in your workplace. Conduct a workplace assessment to identify the types of airborne contaminants that employees may be exposed to.
- Select the appropriate respirators. Once you know the types of respiratory hazards in your workplace, you can select the appropriate respirators for your employees.
- Develop a respirator use policy. Your respirator use policy should describe how employees will use respirators in the workplace.
- Develop a respirator maintenance program. Your respirator maintenance program should describe how respirators will be maintained in good working condition.
- Train employees on the respiratory protection program. Employees must be trained on the respiratory protection program before they can use respirators.
- Medical evaluation. Employees must be medically evaluated to ensure that they are able to wear respirators.
- Recordkeeping. Keep records of all aspects of your respiratory protection program, including employee training, respirator maintenance, and medical evaluations.
