Fog, mist, and other different airborne chemicals can have severe physical impacts on workers. This is especially true in environments like shipyards, construction yards, marine terminals, and other areas that require a lot of work with raw materials and foreign substances. Learn more about the OSHA standards related to respiratory protection below from the experienced team at Wicked OSHA below. Download our useful application to stay up-to-date with the most recent standards for worker safety. Contact us today for more information!
There are a lot of different terms that define different respiratory devices and describe tools that are utilized in different kinds of workplaces. Air-purifying respirators, for example, contain filters or cartridges that help to keep workers safe from potential contaminants. Emergency units are also regulated and strictly enforced for extreme situations that call for their use. One important consideration when it comes to respiratory devices and workplace safety is close monitoring of the end-of-service-life indicator on any kind of safety device. These offer warnings when respirators are approaching the end of their effectiveness and indicate when they are no longer effective when removing contaminants from the air. Make sure that you keep an eye on these indicators to keep your workers safe. A crucial aspect of worker safety is the maximum use concentration metric. Generally, these standards are clearly defined by OSHA when workers are exposed to potentially harmful chemicals. If these standards are not dictated properly or haven’t been observed to an extent that OSHA recognizes, it is up to the employer to use all available information to make a determination about safe levels of exposure to any substance. A respirator can only be effective if it has a tight seal with the nose and mouth of its user. Every apparatus that is used for worker safety in regard to airborne contaminants should be thoroughly inspected in order to ensure that anyone that is using the device receives the same level of protection. Any equipment that shows signs of broken seals should be repaired or retired immediately. 
Definitions
End-of-Service-Life Indicator
Maximum Use Concentration (MUC)
Seal Checks
Respiratory protection is not something that anyone should take lightly on any kind of work site. Materials that employees work with every day can pose potential hazards to workers years down the line. As an employer, you must stay proactive and provide all of your employees with proper respiratory protection if the situation calls for it. If you need more information about workplace safety standards, please do not hesitate to contact Wicked OSHA and utilize our application today.