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NIOSH Publication No. 2005-100:

NIOSH Respirator Selection Logic 2004

October 2004

 

Chapter I. Background and Purpose


The purpose of this respirator selection logic (RSL) is to provide a process that respirator program administrators can use to select appropriate respirators for the protection of workers in specific workplaces. It is not intended to be used for selection of respirators for protection against infectious agents or chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) exposures associated with terrorism events.*

This RSL contains a series of questions regarding situations which may require the use of respirators. (See Respirator Selection Logic Sequence, page 5.) In answering these questions, the user of this selection logic is assisted in identifying specific classes of respirators, applicable restrictions, and the appropriate respirator selection table to use. When using one of the tables to identify a suitable class of respirators, the user must keep in mind the restrictions identified in the question section of this respirator selection logic.

This RSL identifies the criteria necessary to determine the classes of respirators that will provide the minimum acceptable degree of protection for a chemical at a given concentration. Classes of respirators offering greater protection can usually be used in place of the minimum acceptable class of respirators. Respirator classes are consistent with respirator certification groupings as specified in 42 CFR 84.

The recommendations in this RSL are based primarily on the physical, chemical, and toxicologic properties of the contaminant and on the limitations of each class of respirator, including filtration efficiency, air supply capability, and face seal characteristics and leakage. Thus, this selection logic is limited to identifying classes of acceptable respirators, rather than individual respirator models.

After various classes of respirators are identified as being suitable for a given situation, an evaluation is made of other factors of the particular work environment (e.g., job, task, temperature, mobility, etc.) so that the most appropriate respirator model within the recommended classes can be chosen. In some situations, the selection of a respirator classified as providing a higher level of protection may be advisable.

The assigned protection factors (APFs) used in this respirator selection logic were based on quantitative fit factor data developed by Los Alamos National Laboratories under contract to NIOSH and on field and laboratory data gathered by NIOSH and others. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Assigned Protection Factors was published by OSHA on June 6, 2003. When this regulation is finalized, NIOSH will consider the new standard and revise the RSL as necessary. NIOSH will also modify its certification


.* Note: Selection of respirators for infectious disease and terrorism-related exposures requires consideration of additional factors in addition to the traditional exposure assessment approaches described in this guidance. See the NIOSH respirator topic page http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/respirators/ for additional information and guidance on particular infectious disease and terrorism issues.

program to assure that NIOSH certified respirators will be capable of providing the level of protection determined in the OSHA APF rulemaking. Fit factors determined for the individual wearer of a respirator by quantitative fit testing or by any other method used to determine fit should not be substituted for the APF given for each class of respirators. In addition, the fit factor determined through quantitative fit testing must be greater than the APF (10X the APF is generally recommended); otherwise, the respirator cannot be used by the worker.

Note: In order to provide protection at the APF level, respirators must be used in a complete respirator program such as the one required by OSHA in 29CFR1910.134.

 
Book Cover - "NIOSH Respirator Selection Logic"

Chapter Index

Table of Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgments

Chapter I. Background and Purpose

Chapter II. Information and Restrictions

 

A. Criteria for Selecting Respirators
  B. Restrictions and Requirements for All Respirator Usage
Chapter III. Respirator Selection Logic Sequence
  Table 1. Particulate Respirators
  Table 2. Gas/Vapor Respirators
  Table 3. Combination Gas/Vapor & Particulate Respirators
Chapter IV. Escape Respirators
Chapter V. Additional Information on Hazards and Exposures

 

Subparagraph 1: Oxygen-Deficient Atmosphere
  Subparagraph 2: Exposure Limits
  Subparagraph 3: Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH)
  Subparagraph 4: Eye Irritation

Chapter VI. Glossary of Respiratory Protection Terms

Appendix
 

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Related Resources/Publications
NIOSH Respirators Topic Page
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