Respiratory Protection Selection (Essay Sample)

Respiratory Protection Selection
Name:
Institution: Respiratory Protection Selection
Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) is the main federal agency that deals with employee safety matters in the workplace. It deals with the enforcement of health and safety legislation in diverse workplaces. It is a requirement by OSHA that all workers should wear protective respiratory devices when working in contaminated air environments. This precaution is necessary to prevent inhalation of hazardous components that can cause occupational diseases. The National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH), the research arm of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is responsible for conducting research and giving recommendations on employee safety. Respiratory protection devices are protective apparatus used to prevent a worker from inhaling contaminated air. They protect the nose and sometimes the face depending on the nature of contamination or chemical properties of the contaminating component. Respiratory devices are available in two designs: Supplied Air Respirators (SAR), which provide clean air from an external uncontaminated source, and Air-Purifying Respirators (APR), which removes contaminants from the air. Different workplaces can choose the most appropriate device between the two types according to the nature of contaminants present in the work environment.
In a workplace where fiberglass components are being sanded smooth prior to painting by assembly line workers, APR devices seem the most appropriate design. Fiberglass filings are large dust-like contaminants that cannot pass through respirator cartridges. APR devices that separate and prevent particulate substances, such as dust, fumes, and mist provide better protection. Therefore, for this work environment, the use of a respirator device fitted with an air-purifying filter that prohibits contaminated air from reaching the worker's nose is advisable. In this case, there is no need for external supply of clean air because the contaminants containing large particles in the air are easily separable. Filters used for particulates free of oil should have a teal color code (OSHA Bulletin, 2013).
SAR seems the most appropriate device design for a work environment where a leak in a nitrogen supply line within a service closet requires repair but the supply of nitrogen cannot stop. Nitrogen is an immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) gas that poses an immediate threat to employees (Duling et al., 2007). In a scenario where a worker inhales excessive amount, the gas may impair his or her ability to escape from the dangerous atmosphere. It can also cause accidental euthanasia to a worker, leading to death. SAR is the best device to supply uncontaminated air from the external environment because the supply of nitrogen should be continuous based on the nature of operations. For nitrogen, there is no specific standardized filter color code (OSHA Bulletin, 2013)
An APR device is recommended where hydrochloric acid vapor is escaping from a cylinder stored in an outdoor area with oxygen levels of above 19.5%. There is little risk of excessive chlorine inhalation in the open air because the cylinder is stored in an outdoor area. Additionally, the oxygen level of at least 19.5% is a safe atmosphere, but protection is still necessary. According to CDC (2013), an environment is considered harmful when the oxygen concentration falls below 19.5 percent by volume. Because the chemical is irritable, the use of a SAP device fitted with a tight fitting face piece is also useful to prevent irritation of the eyes by chlorine (Duling et al, 2007). The presence of acceptable oxygen levels also underscores the need of an APR because respirators fitted with filters and cartridges are unusable in areas without oxygen. Hydrochloric acid vapor filters should use white color-coding (OSHA Bulletin, 2013).
A situation in which a full 55-gallon drum of an organic solvent commonly used in the production process is releasing vapor requires APR device. Because the solvent is often used in production operations, its effects on human health are likely to be minimal or containable. The releasing of vapor indicates that the concentration of the solvent in the atmosphere is likely to be higher than in the controlled production site and, therefore, workers should wear protective devices. An APR device...