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(9) There shall be regular inspection and evaluation to determine the continued effectiveness of the
program.

(10) Persons should not be assigned to tasks requiring use of respirators unless it has been determined
that they are physically able to perform the work and use the equipment. The local physician shall
determine what health and physical conditions are pertinent. The respirator user’s medical status
should be reviewed periodically (for instance, annually).

(11) Respirators shall be selected from among those jointly approved by the Mine Safety and Health
Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health under the provisions
of 30 CFR part 11.

(c) Selection of respirators. Proper selection of respirators shall be made according to the guidance of
American National Standard Practices for Respiratory Protection Z88.2-1969.

(d) Air quality.

(1) Compressed air, compressed oxygen, liquid air, and liquid oxygen used for respiration shall be of
high purity. Oxygen shall meet the requirements of the United States Pharmacopoeia for medical or
breathing oxygen. Breathing air shall meet at least the requirements of the specification for Grade D
breathing air as described in Compressed Gas Association Commodity Specification G-7.1-1966.
Compressed oxygen shall not be used in supplied-air respirators or in open circuit self-contained
breathing apparatus that have previously used compressed air. Oxygen must never be used with air
line respirators.

(2) Breathing air may be supplied to respirators from cylinders or air compressors.

(i) Cylinders shall be tested and maintained as prescribed in the Shipping Container Specification
Regulations of the Department of Transportation (49 CFR Part 178).

(ii) The compressor for supplying air shall be equipped with necessary safety and standby devices.
A breathing air-type compressor shall be used. Compressors shall be constructed and situated so
as to avoid entry of contaminated air into the system and suitable in-line air purifying sorbent
beds and filters installed to further assure breathing air quality. A receiver of sufficient capacity to
enable the respirator wearer to escape from a contaminated atmosphere in event of compressor
failure, and alarms to indicate compressor failure and overheating shall be installed in the system.
If an oil-lubricated compressor is used, it shall have a high-temperature or carbon monoxide
alarm, or both. If only a high-temperature alarm is used, the air from the compressor shall be
frequently tested for carbon monoxide to insure that it meets the specifications in paragraph (d)
(1) of this section.

(3) Air line couplings shall be incompatible with outlets for other gas systems to prevent inadvertent
servicing of air line respirators with nonrespirable gases or oxygen.

(4) Breathing gas containers shall be marked in accordance with American National Standard
Method of Marking Portable Compressed Gas Containers to Identify the Material Contained, Z48.1-
1954; Federal Specification BB-A-1034a, June 21, 1968. Air, Compressed for Breathing Purposes; or

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