Section 325.2442. Respiratory protective equipment; selection and use.

(1) Respiratory protective equipment for the safeguarding of the workers' health shall be provided by the employer if other methods do not control the contaminants.

(2)      Respiratory protective equipment for the safeguarding of a worker's health may be used in place of other control measures in intermittent or temporary work situations.

(3)     Respiratory protective equipment shall be of a type approved for protection against the contaminant and degree of exposure to be encountered. A listing of approved types of  respiratory protective equipment shall  be available from the director.

(4)            Responsibility for equipment selection, issuance, use, training, and maintenance shall be vested in a qualified individual who shall have sufficient knowledge of the subject.

(5)       A worker shall be trained in the use of the equipment and shall have an opportunity to become familiar with it, have it fitted properly, and test its facepiece to face seal. If a worker needs to wear corrective lenses, then the facepiece and lenses shall be fitted by a qualified individual.

(6)       A worker shall use the equipment in accordance  with  instructions, shall report any malfunctioning of the equipment to the person responsible, and shall guard the equipment against damage.

(7)     If the equipment is to be used in an atmosphere immediately dangerous to life or health, then the worker shall use it in normal air for a reasonable familiarity period.

(8)      Emergency equipment shall be readily accessible at all times and its location shall be clearly marked.

History: 1979 AC; 2003 AACS.