Respirators are designed to protect individuals from harmful airborne contaminants or low oxygen levels. In some workplaces respirators are the only solution available to address such hazards.

Reliance on respirators is not allowed in workplaces where exposure controls can be used to remove the airborne hazard. For example, you may be able to use a ventilated exhaust system to eliminate harmful emissions. When prevention solutions don’t eliminate or reduce the airborne hazard, respirators can take on a supporting role in worker safety.

A Respiratory Protection Program is necessary and required when respirator use is mandatory. Without a program, you can’t ensure proper selection, medical clearance, fit testing, training, use, and maintenance practices.

In workplaces where respirators are not required, employers may permit employees to voluntarily use them for personal comfort, when it safe to do so.  In such cases, a reduced Respiratory Protection program may be required, depending on the type of respirator used. See the program requirements below for further details.

Rules & Requirements

• Airborne Contaminants:
  • Exposure Controls  WAC 296-841-20010
  • Use Respirators   WAC 296-841-20015
• Respirators (main rule)  Chapter 296-842 WAC
• See Additional Rules for Specific Industries, Activities, or Chemicals

Agency Directives

• Respirator Selection Specifications for Fire Fighters (77 KB PDF)  WIIM 97-7-E.
• Bullard's Type-CE, Abrasive Blasting Respirators and Lead Protection (70 KB PDF)  WIIM 97-2-F.

Alerts

• Ambient-air Pumps and Special Air-Flow Requirements for Asbestos DOSH Hazard Alert (707 KB PDF).
• Deaths Involving the Inadvertent Connection of Air-line Respirators to Inert Gas Supplies (OSHA).
• NIOSH Respirator User Notices for specific respirator models.
• OSHA Fatal Facts: Accident Summary No. 36.

Training

• Respiratory Protection (for trainers).
• Respiratory Protection-An Overview of Respirators.
• Respirator Basics (no-fee workshop by L&I).
• Facial Hair and Respirators (188 KB PDF) (information sheet from WorkSafeBC).
• Protect Yourself (29 KB PDF) (OSHA Quick Card).
• Respirator Responsibilities-Supervisors (162 KB PDF) (information sheet from WorkSafeBC).

Videos

• See a list of titles about Respiratory Safety.
• Online Respiratory Protection videos from OSHA.
• Search the video catalog for other titles or subject lists.

Other Resources

Program Development:

• Sample Respiratory Protection Programs (for customizing).
• Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Respiratory Protection Standard (5.6 MB PDF / 16 min.) (OSHA).
• Respiratory Protection Self-Inspection Checklist (NIOSH).
• General Respiratory Protection Guidance for Employers and Workers (OSHA).
• Sample Procedure: How to Check Air Flow Rates Provided by Ambient-Air Pumps Used for Asbestos Work (259 KB PDF).

Selection:

• Chemical Biological Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Escape Respirators (OSHA).
• Information About Respirator Selection and Classification (979 KB PDF / 3 min.) (Helpful Tool).
• List of Respirator manufacturers.
• NIOSH Certification: Key Information About NIOSH Certified Respirators (453 KB PDF) (Helpful Tool).
• NIOSH Certification: Markings and Approval Labels (NIOSH).
• NIOSH Certified Equipment List (searchable).
• NIOSH-approved respirators: Where can I get them? (NIOSH).
• Respiratory Selection and Change Out Schedule eTools (OSHA).
• Respirators Versus Surgical Masks (1.6 MB PDF / 5 min.) (OSHA Fact Sheet).
• SARS: An Overview of Worker Protection Issues (353 KB PDF)  (OSHA Fact Sheet).
• Using Assigned Protection Factors (APFs) for Respirator Selection (517 KB PDF) (Helpful Tool).

Medical Evaluations:

• For physicians: Medical Aspects of Wearing Respirators (1.6 MB PDF / 5 min.) (Helpful Tool).
(NIOSH).
• Planning for Medical Evaluations (439 KB PDF) (Helpful Tool).

  (Helpful Tool).

Fit testing:

• Fit-testing Procedures.

Use:

• Standard colors for cartridge labels (see table)  (OSHA Bulletin).
• Respirators (NIOSH topic page).

Other

• Internal Combustion Engines as Ignition Sources (815 KB PDF) (OSHA Publication)

Related Topics

• Bioterrorism.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Outdoor Heat Stress.
• Ventilation.

How can I get help from L&I?

• To request a confidential workplace safety or health consultation, call or visit http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/Assistance/Consultation/about.asp for no charge technical assistance.
• For help with controlling your claims costs, call or visit http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/Assistance/Consultation/riskmanagement.asp for a no charge risk management consultation.
• Find information about filing a workplace safety & health complaint you may call or visit a local L&I office to file a complaint.
• Follow guidance in Steps To a Safe Workplace to create your safety program from scratch.
• For general information, call 1-800-423-7233.