Respirator Use Training
for
Autobody Repair Work
Why You Need to Use a Respirator
In your autobody shop work, you can be exposed to a lot of hazardous materials, such as isocyanates from hardeners; volatile organic compounds from paints, thinners, reducers and cleaning solvents; metal fumes from cutting, grinding and welding; dust from dry sanding of primers and new auto parts, or from bondo/filler work.
These hazards can cause health problems such as asthma by isocyanates, neurotoxicity by organic solvents and respiratory irritation by dust and fumes. The best way to control or reduce your exposure is to use engineering methods or better work practice, such as to use iso-free paints, do all painting and priming in the booth or prep station, use vacuum sanders for bondo sanding, etc. but it is also very important for you to use personal protective equipment (PPE) as your last line of defense. To protect your respiratory health, use respirators. In fact, small businesses like autobody shops are required by OSHA to have respirators to protect you from hazards can cause diseases and injuries.
Improperly fitted, used and maintained respirators won’t protect you against the hazards you are exposed to. It is important for you to know how to use a respirator properly, when to use it and how to keep your respirator in good condition.
When to Use Respirators
Whenever you perform a task that could produce airborne hazards, such as solvents, fumes and dust, you should use respirators. Tasks that require respirators are painting (sealer coating, basecoating and clear coating or touch ups), priming, mixing of paints and primers, dry sanding, bondo/filler work and grinding/welding.
What Respirators to Use
Spray painting—Asupplied air respirator is the best because it brings in fresh air all the time. You could also use a half mask with organic vapor cartridges and paint pre-filters, but it should be worn adequately tight. Organic vapor cartridges and paint pre-filters should be replaced regularly, say at least once a week or even a couple of days if daily painting is intensive. If you can smell the solvent or have difficulty breathing through the cartridges and filters, it is way too late. Replace them immediately.
Priming and mixing—Again, a supplied air respirator is the best, but it might not be convenient. You could also use a half mask with organic vapor cartridges and paint pre-filters. Replace organic vapor cartridges and paint pre-filters regularly (see above).
Dry sanding or bondo/filler work—It’s best to weara half mask with organic vapor cartridges and paint pre-filters because fresh primer often has isocyanates in it and bondo/filler dust contains styrene, which is a carcinogenic solvent. The N95 dust masks are not good for organic solvents. You can also use the half mask with a combination of organic vapor cartridges and P100 filters (purple color).
Grinding, cutting and welding—These tasks in general do not generate isocyanates unless performed on a surface coated with isocyanate paints. High temperatures from cutting and welding in that case can generate airborne isocyanates. This will require the use of the same cartridge respirators as in spray painting and priming. Otherwise, use a half mask cartridge respirator with HEPA filters (pink color).
Dry sanding new parts (old factory paints) or shop floor cleaning—Use N95 dust masks.
How to Use a Respirator
Follow the manufacture’s recommendations—The manufacturers usually have instructions for the correct use. Read the instructions carefully.
Select the right size for you—Use the right size to make it a good fit for you.
Check respirator conditions—Are all the pieces (masks, valves, straps, filters) in good condition? If not, replace them with new ones. Are the straps adequately tight or too loose? Adjust the tension for your comfort.
Put on the half mask respirator properly—There are two sets of straps, the lower one should be hooked around your neck and the upper ones on your head with one on the back of head and one on the top of head. Adjust the straps to make it comfortably tight. Move your respirator around your nose to make it a tight fit.
Check the seal—After putting on your respirator (half mask with cartridges or HEPA filters), do the following two steps to check the seal:
Negative pressure check—Place the palms of your hands on the HEPA or paint filters (the two respirator inlets). Inhale gently so that the facepiece collapses slightly. Hold your breath for 10 seconds. If the facepiece remains in its slightly collapsed condition, and no inward leak of air is detected, the tightness of the respirator is considered satisfactory. If there is any leakage, adjust the facepiece to make it better sealed.
Positive pressure check—Place your hand (palm) outside the front nosepiece. Exhale gently into the facepiece. The face fit is considered satisfactory if a light positive pressure can be built up inside the facepiece without any evidence of outward leakage of air at the seal. If there is any leakage, adjust the facepiece to make it better sealed.
Now you are ready to use the respirator and perform your task with it. If you have to take off your mask during a task, make sure you put it back on properly and do the seal checks again.
Why You Need Fit Testing
Fit testing tells you how tightly you wear your respirator. There are two main types of test: qualitativeand quantitative. Qualitative testing uses a chemical with a strong smell and tests whether the odor can get inside your respirator. Quantitative testingis done with computerized equipment and gives you a fit factor which is the concentration of chemical outside the mask divided by the concentration inside your mask. OSHA requires a minimum of 100 as a good fit factor.
You should be fit tested annually with either method. If you have facial hair, you have a good chance to fail the test, and the half mask respirator will not protect you. Then you should use a supplied air respirator (SAR) or a powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) instead.
How to Maintain and Care For Your Respirator
Cleaning and Disinfecting—Clean your respirator regularly. Remove all cartridges, filters and filter containers. Wash in lukewarm water with mild detergent. Rinse the mask and any components thoroughly in clean, warm running water. Drain. Disinfect with diluted laundry bleach (1 ml bleach in1 L water). Rinse and drain again. Air-dry it. At the end of each work shift, clean the outside with a surface decontaminant andthen clean the inside and outside with alcohol pads.
Storage—Your respirator should be cleaned everyday after work and stored in a zip lock bag. Air-tight storage should protect the respirator from contamination, dust, damage, sunlight, and excessive moisture, and make iteasily accessible for use. Before each use or during cleaning, respirator pieces should be inspected.
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Respirator_Training_Session.doc