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ABC Health Care Facility
Respiratory Protection Program

Purpose:

The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to ensure the protection of all employees from
respiratory hazards caused by exposure to TB, through the proper use of respirators.

Responsibility:

The Respirator Program Administrator (RPA) is _________________________________. She/he is
solely responsible for all aspects of this program and has full authority to make the necessary decisions to
ensure its success. This authority includes (but is not limited to) hiring personnel, purchasing the
necessary equipment to implement the program, and operate the respiratory protection program. The RPA
(or designee) will develop written detailed instructions covering each of the basic elements in this
program, and is the only person authorized to amend these instructions.

The ABC health care facility has expressly authorized the RPA to audit and change respirator usage
procedures whenever there is a chance of exposure to TB. This includes designating mandatory respirator
usage areas.

Program Elements:

1. The RPA (or designee) will develop detailed written standard operating procedures governing the
selection and use of respirators, using the OSHA regulations and the NIOSH Respirator Decision Logic
as guidelines. Outside consultation, manufacturers assistance, and other recognized authorities will be
consulted if there is any doubt regarding proper selection and use of respirators. These detailed
procedures will be included as appendices to this respirator program. Only the RPA may amend these
procedures.

2. Respirators will be selected on the basis of CDC guidelines. All selections will be made by the RPA
(or designee). Only NIOSH certified respirators will be selected and used.

3. The user will be instructed and trained in the proper use of respirators and their limitations. Both
supervisors and workers will be trained by the RPA (or designee). The training should provide the
employee an opportunity to handle the respirator, have it fitted properly, test its facepiece-to-face seal,
wear it in normal air for a long familiarity period, and finally to wear it in a test atmosphere. Every
respirator wearer will receive fitting instructions, including demonstrations and practice in how the
respirator should be worn, how to adjust it, and how to determine if it fits properly.

Respirators should not be worn when conditions prevent a good face seal. Such conditions may be a
growth of beard, sideburns, a skull cap that projects under the facepiece, or temple pieces on glasses.
No employees of this facility, who are required to wear tight fitting respirators may wear beards. Also
the absence of one or both dentures can seriously affect the fit of a facepiece. The workers diligence in
observing these factors will be evaluated by periodic checks. To assure proper protection, the user seal
check will be done by the wearer each time she/he puts on the respirator. The manufactures instructions
will be followed.

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