Like all personal protective equipment (PPE), respirators should only be used once all other efforts to eliminate or control the respiratory hazard(s) to a safe level have been exhausted. PPE only protects the person using it and must be used correctly to be effective.

Many types of respirators are available. They each provide a different level of protection against different hazards. To be classified as a respirator, the device must be certified by a recognized agency (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) or Canadian Standards Association (CSA)).

An employer must:

• Provide and ensure the use of an adequate respirator that is appropriate to the hazard where a person is exposed to a respiratory hazard that may cause injury or disease. [N.S. Reg. 44/99, s. 9] [N.S. Reg. 44/99, s. 13]
• Ensure that any compressed breathing air used in a respirator complies with or exceeds the requirements of the latest version of CSA CAN3-Z180.1 “Compressed Breathing Air and Systems”. [N.S. Reg. 44/99, s. 13]
• Comply with the latest version of CSA standard CSA Z94.4, “Selection, Use, and Care of Respirators,” for the selection, use, maintenance, and testing of a respirator and the training of respirator users. [N.S. Reg. 44/99, s. 13]
• Ensure employees are aware of the hazards and control measures associated with their work. [S.N.S. 1996, c. 7, s. 13]
• Provide the information, instruction, training, supervision, and facilities necessary to ensure the health and safety of employees. [S.N.S. 1996, c. 7, s. 13]
• Ensure that any written policy, procedure, plan, or code of practice is adequate and implemented. [N.S. Reg. 44/99, s. 7]

It is good practice to develop and maintain a written respirator protection program that details how the employer will manage the risk of respiratory hazards and the use of respirators at their workplace. A well-designed program provides an efficient framework for managing compliance obligations and increases the effectiveness of respirator use.

Guidance on how to develop an effective respiratory protection program is provided in CSA Standard Z94.4 ‘Selection, Use and Care of Respirators’.

An employee must:

• Use protective devices and equipment required by their employer or required by law. [S.N.S. 1996, c. 7, s. 17]
• Wear required respiratory protective equipment according to the instructions and training provided. [N.S. Reg. 44/99, s. 9A]
• Notify your employer of any damaged respiratory protective equipment. [S.N.S. 1996, c. 7, s. 17]

Hazard Assessment

Respiratory protection cannot be selected without first identifying the specific hazards it is intended to protect against. Respiratory hazards are those which can cause harm when they are inhaled by an exposed person.

Hazard identification and risk assessment should be performed by a competent person. A hazard assessment typically includes:

• Identifying all potential airborne hazards, including gases, vapours, dust, fumes, mists, and biological agents.
• Determining the sources of these hazards, such as industrial processes, equipment, specific activities, and/or environmental conditions.
• While estimating the exposure to an agent can be done, this method has limitations. Conducting air sampling and monitoring to measure the concentration of contaminants in the workplace is recommended.
• Comparing the measured levels with established Threshold Limit Values (TLVs®) or other relevant occupational exposure limits. [N.S. Reg. 52/2013, s. 2.3]
• Making sure that the oxygen concentration is at least 19.5%. If not, an atmosphere-supplying respirator is necessary.
• Assessing environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and the presence of multiple contaminants that might affect respirator performance.
• Determining how often and how long workers are exposed to the identified hazards.
• Evaluating the potential health effects of the contaminants, considering acute and chronic impacts.

In addition, the hazard assessment should consider:

• Other non-respiratory hazards that could affect the user (such as skin or eye irritation) or performance of the respirator (e.g., flying debris, molten materials, corrosive substances).
• Whether or not a regulation prescribes a specific respirator, for example:
• Use positive pressure respiratory protection equipment when entering a confined space with an oxygen level <19.5%. [N.S. Reg. 44/99, s. 135(1)(b)]
• Require firefighters engaged in structural firefighting to wear positive-pressure self-contained respiratory protective equipment. [N.S. Reg. 44/99, s. 195(1)]
• Whether or not the atmosphere is potentially oxygen-deficient.
• Whether or not an immediate danger to life or health (IDLH) atmosphere is present.
• For particulate hazards, assess if there is the potential for any oil to become airborne.
• Whether or not there are non-respiratory routes of exposure to the contaminant (e.g., absorption through skin/eyes/mucous membranes, ingestion, injection) and the potential health effects of any such exposure.

The hazard and risk assessment should be documented. The assessment should be updated at regular intervals, when new information becomes available, or when there have been changes to related hazards.

Selection of Compressed Breathing Air and Systems

Follow CSA CAN3-Z180.1 "Compressed Breathing Air and Systems" when the workplace or operation involves the use of compressed breathing air systems. CSA CAN3-Z180.1 sets standards for compressed breathing air and systems, ensuring the safety and health of individuals who rely on such systems.

This standard applies in the following specific scenarios:

• Use of Supplied-Air Respirators (SARs) and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
• Environments with contaminated or low oxygen atmospheres
• Hazardous environments
• Emergency response and firefighting

Following these standards ensures that the compressed air used for breathing meets specific quality criteria, including purity and absence of contaminants like carbon monoxide and oil. Compliance with this standard helps prevent potential health hazards such as respiratory issues, poisoning, or even fatalities that may result from exposure to substandard breathing air.

It also promotes consistency and reliability in the design, operation, and maintenance of compressed air systems, ultimately enhancing overall safety and confidence in their use.

Selection of Air-Purifying and Atmosphere-Supplying Respiratory Equipment

For air-purifying (APR) and atmosphere-supplying (ASP) respirator selection, follow the flow chart in CSA Standard Z94.4 which guides users through a systematic process to choose the appropriate respirator based on specific criteria. [N.S. Reg. 44/99, s. 13]

Most respirator manufacturers have also developed user-friendly selection tools available in print or online.

The process includes the following key steps:

• Use the information gathered in the hazard and risk assessment to identify the types of airborne contaminants present and their concentrations.
• Ensure that the respiratory protection equipment chosen is tested and certified by a recognized agency having jurisdiction, such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
• Determine if the oxygen level is adequate (at least 19.5%). If not, use supplied-air respirators.
• Compare contaminant levels to TLVs® or other relevant occupational exposure limits.
• Choose between air-purifying (APR) and atmosphere-supplying (ASP) respirators, based on the type and concentration of contaminants.
• Select the appropriate filter or cartridge:
• Particulate Filters: Use N, R, or P series filters for particulates (e.g., N95, R99, P100).
• N-series: Not resistant to oil
• R-series: Resistant to oil for up to 8 hours
• P-series: Oil-proof, for longer use
• Cartridges for specific gases and vapors
• Organic Vapors
• Acid Gases
• Ammonia
• Multiple Gases: Combination cartridges as per the contaminants
• Combination Filters for environments with both particulates and gases or vapours.
• Ensure the chosen filter or cartridge is compatible with the respirator model being used.
• Verify that the filters or cartridges meet NIOSH standards for the specific contaminants.

Note: Tight-fitting air-purifying respirators DO NOT provide adequate protection against all respiratory hazards, including the following hazards:

• Respiratory hazards for which an appropriate filter or cartridge is not available.
• Oxygen-deficient atmospheres
• Immediate Danger to Life and Health (IDLH) atmospheres, as defined in CSA Standard Z94.4:
• Structural firefighting,
• An untested confined space,
• An area where the concentration of a hazardous contaminant is known to exceed established IDLH values,
• An area where the concentration of a hazardous contaminant is unknown,
• An area where reduced oxygen concentration could produce a level of hypoxia (below the normal level of oxygen in the blood) that is IDLH.
• An area that is otherwise deemed by a qualified person to present a potential IDLH atmosphere.

Use: Before

Employers must ensure that users receive training and are fit-tested according to the requirements of CSA Standards before using respiratory equipment. It is recommended that the employer conduct health screening before training and fit testing users.

• Health Screening:
• Health screening makes sure that the employee is medically capable of wearing a respirator without risking their health.
• Medical Evaluation: Employees must complete a medical questionnaire or undergo a physical examination performed by a licensed healthcare professional. Health screening may be administered by non-medical personnel. Additional guidance and a sample health screening form are provided in Annex E of CSA Standard Z94.4.
• Assessment of Health Conditions: Conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or heart problems may affect one’s ability to wear a respirator.
• Periodic Re-Evaluations: Regular health assessments should be conducted to account for changes in the worker's health status over time.
• Training:
• Proper training ensures that users understand how to correctly use and maintain the respirator, which is crucial for effective protection such as:
• Roles and responsibilities.
• Respirator user screening.
• Fit testing.
• Instructions on how to properly put on (don), take off (doff), and wear the respirator.
• Educating users on the limitations of the respirator and the specific hazards it is designed to protect against.
• Guidance on how to inspect, clean, and store the respirator to ensure it remains effective and in good working condition.
• Training on what to do in case of respirator failure or exposure to high levels of contaminants.
• Repair and maintenance.
• Initial training must be done before the first use of a respirator.
• Annual refresher training should be completed.
• Additional training must be provided when there are changes in the workplace or the type of respirator used.
• Before each use, the user must inspect the facepiece and filters or cartridges according to the manufacturer’s instructions, looking for:
• Signs of damage to parts (e.g., facepiece, filter, cartridges, valves, straps),
• Tight connections between filter or cartridge and facepiece,
• End-of-service-life indicators (ESLIs) or change-out date on filters or cartridges,
• Shelf life or expiration date on filters or cartridges,
• Proper function of any regulators, alarms, and other warning systems.

Use: When Wearing

• The user of a respirator must check the seal of the facepiece immediately after donning the respirator, by procedures recommended by the manufacturer.
• The respirator face-to-facepiece seal must not be broken when the user tries to communicate.
• The use of contact lenses may be approved by the program administrator after considering factors inside and outside the tight-fitting respirator that could affect the user’s eyes.
• When using tight-fitting respirators, persons must wear or not wear dentures according to the conditions under which a successful fit test was obtained.
• Temples on eyeglasses or any other materials such as hair, cloth, tissue, straps, or jewelry must not come between the skin and the sealing surface of the facepiece or interfere with the operation of the respirator.
• Users must also maintain their facial hair so that the hair does not affect the seal and function of the respirator.
• Facial hair can prevent a tight seal from forming between the respirator and the user's face. It can also interfere with the respirator’s valves. In each case, contaminated air can bypass the respirator's filter or cartridge and expose the user to contaminants.
• To receive the intended level of protection from a tight-fitting respirator, users must be clean-shaven or adopt an acceptable facial hair style that does not impact the seal to the user's face.
• Typically, the users must shave within 12-24 hours of using a respirator for a tight seal to form.
• There are no exceptions to the clean-shaven requirement. If there is a valid reason why a user cannot be clean-shaven, the employer may consider providing a loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirator that does not require a fit test (as per the manufacturer's instructions).
• When using a respirator in a hazardous environment, the user must remain alert for any sign of failure or malfunction, including:
• Detecting odours or tastes associated with a hazardous agent,
• Sensing dust or particles inside the respirator,
• Experiencing symptoms of exposure to a hazardous agent,
• Changes in the effort required to breathe through the respirator (more or less),
• Sensing that a break in the seal,
• Sensing that a cartridge is generating excessive heat.
• If the user suspects a failure or malfunction, they must immediately exit the hazardous environment and proceed to a safe area to assess the situation. Common causes include:
  • Interference with the seal,
  • Damage or dislodgement during a work activity,
  • Failure of a part (e.g., strap, valve),
  • Encountering an unforeseen hazard,
  • Improper selection or use.

Care

Employers must ensure that all respirators are maintained to make sure they continue to provide effective protection from respiratory hazards.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

Respirators must be cleaned and sanitized before each use according to the manufacturer’s instructions or following guidance in Annex F of CSA Standard Z94.4.

Storage

Respirators must be stored to prevent deformation, contamination, and other detrimental effects. Storing the facepiece and filters or cartridges in separate containers or sealed zip-lock-type bags in a location where they will not be crushed or exposed to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures is typically sufficient.

Filter and Cartridge Change-Out

All filters and cartridges have a limited service life that varies based on how they are used.

Filters become increasingly difficult to breathe through as they capture more particles. Filters must be replaced when:

• The user's breathing becomes laboured,
• Damaged or becomes unhygienic,
• Specified by the manufacturer’s instructions, or
• Based on a change-out schedule established by a competent person.

Cartridges eventually become saturated, which affects their ability to purify the air passing through them. Cartridges must be replaced when:

• Indicated by an end-of-service-life indicator (ESLI) indicator,
• A marked expiration date has passed,
• Specified by the manufacturer’s instructions, or
• Based on a change-out schedule established by a competent person.

Combination filter cartridges must be replaced when either element reaches the end of its service life. Certain types allow for the independent replacement of each element.

Testing

Fit Testing

Employers must ensure that any person using a respirator holds a valid fit test. Fit testing confirms a respirator is the correct size and shape for the user by verifying that a tight seal forms with their face. It also proves that the user can don the respirator properly and that the respirator is compatible with other PPE being used.

A competent person must provide the fit test. Individuals must only use the type of respirator that they have a valid fit test for (i.e., the same make, model, and size). Persons must be fit tested whilst wearing all other PPE worn at the same time to ensure it does not create an interference.

A fit test is valid for two years. Retesting is necessary to account for the condition of the respirator and changes to the user's body (e.g., weight change, injury, growth, aging). Retesting is also necessary when the user cannot maintain a tight seal with the respirator.

Two fit testing procedures are acceptable under CSA Standard Z94.4:

• Qualitative Method – Assesses fit using a pass/fail test that relies on the subject's sensory response to detect a challenge agent.
• Quantitative Method – Assesses fit using an instrument to measure the amount of air leaking into the respirator.

Note that qualitative testing can only be used to verify that the respirator provides an assigned protection factor of 10, no matter the type of respirator used.