An estimated 5 million workers are required to wear respirators in 1.3 million workplaces throughout the United States. Respirators protect workers against:
- Insufficient oxygen environments
- Harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays
- Airborne infectious agents
These hazards may cause cancer, lung impairment, other diseases, or death.
Respirators must be used when airborne hazards are present and effective engineering controls are not feasible. Respirators have their limitations and are not a substitute for effective engineering controls. Where respirators are required to protect worker health, public employers must comply with the PEOSH Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134).
The Standard contains requirements for:
- Program administration
- Worksite-specific procedures
- Respirator selection
- Employee training
- Fit-testing
- Medical evaluation
- Respirator use, cleaning, storage, maintenance and repair
Some public sector occupations where respirators are commonly required include:
- Firefighting
- Emergency medical services
- Hazardous waste operations and emergency response
- Law enforcement special operations