Respiratory Protection Program

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have set maximum exposure standards for many airborne toxic materials. The Office of Risk Management can assist in determining whether a worker's exposure to chemicals exceeds these standards. If the permissible exposure limit is exceeded, the exposure must be reduced to acceptable levels through the use of engineering and/or administrative controls.

Respirators and other personal protective equipment may be used where engineering controls are not feasible or cannot reduce exposure to acceptable levels, or while engineering controls are being installed. The need for a respirator is dependent upon the type of operations and the nature and quantity of the materials in use and must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

The Office of Risk Management has developed a respiratory protection plan to protect workers from harmful exposures to chemicals. As part of the program, ORM arranges medical examinations for respirator users and conducts training on an annual basis.

• GW's Respiratory Protection Program (PDF)
  • Appendix II: Decision-Making Flow Chart (PDF)
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134, Respiratory Protection - (external link)