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2. The contaminant is of such high concentration
of toxicity that an air-purifying respirator is
inadequate
We classify supplied-air respirators, also called air-
line respirators, as demand, pressure-demand, and
continuous-flow respirators. This respirator can be used
in IDLH situation areas if operated in the pressure
demand mode. It must also be equipped with an
auxiliary, self-contained air supply of at least 15
minutes.
The breathing air source for air-line respirators must
meet at least the minimum requirements for grade D
breathing air. A ship’s LP air is NOT suitable for use as
breathing air unless it is specifically tested and certified
to meet purity standards.
A self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
allows you complete independence from a fixed source
of air. It allows the greatest degree of protection but is
also the most complex. The SCBA provides protection
in oxygen-deficient environments or other
environments dangerous to life or health. The SCBA is
equipped with a bottle of compressed air and is used in
hazardous material spill kits.
Medical Screening and Fit-Testing
Procedures Required Before Using
a Respirator
Before personnel can use a respirator, they must be
medically screened and fit-tested. The ship’s Hospital
Corpsman, medical officer, or shore medical support
clinic conducts the medical screening. Ashore, the clinic
Occupational Health Division conducts medical
screening for civilian workers. The purpose of the
screening is to ensure that respirator users have no
medical condition that inhibits their wearing a
respirator. The screening also reviews the user’s health
record and potential for ill effects from working in a
health-hazardous atmosphere.
A respirator mask must properly seal around the
user’s face to keep contaminated air from leaking into
the mask. There are different brands, models, and sizes
of respirators, all of which fit differently. Trained
personnel from shore medical commands,
environmental and preventive medicine units, or
occupational safety and health offices fit-test respirator
masks on potential users. First they have potential
respirator users don a mask; then they test for leakage
around the facepiece to ensure it seals properly. Afloat,
larger ships and tenders, with primary duty safety
officers, have trained fit-test personnel. Shore support
is provided to smaller ships. OPNAVINST 5100.23C,
chapter 15, and OPNAVINST 5100.19B, chapter B6,
give medical screening and fit-testing procedures.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
AND EQUIPMENT
Personal protective equipment (PPE) protects the
user in a hazardous environment. Any PPE breakdown,
failure, or misuse immediately exposes the wearer to the
hazard. Many protective devices, through misuse or
improper maintenance, can become ineffective without
the wearer knowing it. OPNAVINST 5100.23C, chapter
20, and OPNAVINST 5100.19B, chapter B12, provide
information on PPE and PPE issue.
Personal protective devices do not reduce or
eliminate the hazard itself. They merely set up a “last
line of defense.” Any equipment breakdown, failure, or
misuse immediately exposes the worker to the hazard.
PPE is used as an interim measure or when engineering
controls cannot be applied.
Design and Construction of Personal
Protective Clothing and Equipment
All personal protective clothing and equipment
should be designed and constructed to allow work to be
performed safely. Therefore, extensive research and
testing have been conducted to develop standards and
specifications for the design and construction of
personal protective clothing and equipment.
The federal government requires that personal
protective clothing and equipment meet these standards
and specifications. Therefore, the government only
recognizes the certification and approval of certain
agencies. Those agencies include the following:
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH)
All crewmembers must wear the required personal
protective clothing and equipment. Workers should
notify their supervisor immediately if the required
clothing or equipment is not available to do the assigned
work. Workers should also notify their supervisor if they
need instruction on how to wear or use the clothing or
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