Respirator Basics

Overview/Description
 The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Respiratory Protection Standard (Title 29 CFR 1910.134) applies to general industry, construction, shipyard, longshoring, and marine terminal workplaces. The standard establishes uniform rules for protecting workers when they must work in hazardous atmospheres. This introductory course addresses aspects of the standard. It teaches managers, supervisors, and workers about protecting themselves from airborne contaminants in the workplace. Main topics include worksite respiratory hazards, types of respirators, selecting appropriate respirators for the workplace, and using respirators at work. This SkillSoft Corporation training course has been reviewed by attorneys from the law firm of Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green, Professional Association, of Manchester, New Hampshire. The content of this training course is an accurate statement of federal law and attendant regulations as to the matters covered as of the date reviewed. Due to the rapidly changing nature of the law, information in this course may become outdated.

Target Audience
 Managers, supervisors, and workers in general industry who may be exposed to airborne contaminants

Expected Duration
3.5 hours

Lesson Objectives:

Understanding Respirators

  • identify why understanding respirator basics is valuable.
  • identify examples of common work site respiratory hazards.
  • determine potential work site respiratory hazards in a given scenario using the Key to Respiratory Hazards checklist.
  • differentiate between air-purifying and atmosphere-supplying respirators.
  • match the factors to consider when choosing a respirator with characteristics of those factors.
  • sequence the steps for choosing the right respirator.
  • choose the right respirator for a given scenario.

    • Using Respirators

  • identify the importance of knowing how to use respirators at work.
  • identify the two types of common respirator fit tests.
  • identify the two types of user seal checks.
  • determine whether users have properly applied the correct respirator fit test in a given situation.
  • identify the procedures for properly using respirators at work.
  • apply the procedures for properly using respirators in a given scenario by using the Respirator User's Checklist.

    • Course Number: SFTY0051