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Publication: March 2007. For information about changes, please see the Revision History.

Chapter 29: Respiratory Protection

Overview (1)

It is the policy of Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) to maintain work environments that will not adversely affect the health, safety, and well-being of SLAC personnel and guests. However, in certain work environments, harmful dusts, mists, fumes, gases, vapors, or radioactive or toxic particles cannot be adequately removed from the air so respiratory protection must be used. SLAC provides necessary respiratory protective equipment and procedures for its use.

This chapter establishes requirements for SLAC personnel who are required to wear respirators as part of their jobs. It includes

• The process for identifying personnel required to wear respirators through industrial hygiene surveys
• Requirements for respirator use, including training, medical qualification, and fit-testing
• Instructions detailing the approvals for and acquisition of respirators

Hazards/Impacts (1.1)

The diverse work environment at SLAC may involve various potential hazards, including the inhalation of air contaminants generated during industrial processes. If over-exposed to such contaminants, personnel may suffer acute or chronic health problems. Exposures are kept to a minimum through the use of engineering controls; material substitution; proper use, handling, and storage; adequate ventilation and personal protective equipment such as respirators; training; and periodic monitoring.

Scope (2)

This chapter covers all industrial operations and workplaces at SLAC, except as noted in this section. Employees, university collaborators, users, scientists, fellows, students, faculty, and subcontracting personnel who report directly to a SLAC supervisor are included in the respiratory protection program as needed to ensure protection against injury and illness caused by respirable hazards. SLAC visitors and other types of subcontractors are excluded from the requirements of this chapter.

This chapter applies to SLAC personnel as described above who are required to wear a respirator in either construction or non-construction activities.

This chapter does not apply to

• Professional emergency responders, including the Palo Alto Fire Department, or their respiratory protection equipment
• Single strap comfort masks or surgical masks that do not create a negative pressure seal against the skin of the face

For determination of respiratory protection for airborne radiological hazards, consult the Radiation Protection Department. If a determination is made that respiratory protection is necessary, the requirements of this chapter for medical surveillance, training, fit testing, selection, use and maintenance will all apply.

There are no exemptions to the requirements of this chapter.

Implementation (8)

The requirements of this chapter will become effective following the schedule in Respiratory Protection: Implementation Plan [pdf].

continue to Standards (3)