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Respiratory Protection Training

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that, when relevant, employers provide training programs on respiratory protection for employees. Mastery of OSHA standards, practices and recognized techniques can minimize the chances of respiratory injuries in the workplace.

  1. Features

    • Respiratory protection training makes employees aware of respiratory hazards and how to deal with these hazards according to OSHA standards. Key subjects include respirator maintenance requirements, testing and fitting procedures for respirators, respirator maintenance requirements, and cleaning and repair schedules.

    Types

    • OSHA requires that employers develop comprehensive training programs wherever respirators are required in the workplace. These programs should focus on respiratory protection and the details of procedures. Training should be specific to the worksite and flexible enough to reflect any updates or changes in respiratory equipment.

    Significance

    • Compliance with OSHA standards could save hundreds of lives a year, according to the OSHA website. More than 5 million employees in the United States work in environments that require the use of respiratory protection equipment to protect against harmful airborne substances or in situations where oxygen supply is limited. Prolonged exposure to certain substances can cause serious harm and long-term health consequences.

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