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100-007 County Respiratory Protection Program Effective Date: 3/26/10 Reference: Policy was amended to reflect more descriptive language regarding firefighter physical policy in accordance with NFPA 1582. Next Review: Modified Date : 2/25/15 CLASSIFICATION: POLICY STATEMENT Issued By: Scott Roman, Fire Coordinator Preface: This policy was adopted by the Cortland County Fire Chiefs Association to serve as a minimum standard that is to be maintained and adhered to by all fire departments operating in Cortland County. Purpose: The elements described in this program are designed to ensure the safe and effective usage of respiratory protection for firefighters. OSHA standard 1910.134 section requires firefighters to establish and maintain a respiratory protection program whenever respirators are necessary to protect the health of firefighters. The fire department will also comply with OSHA standard 29CFR 1910.134 which requires the fire department to coordinate the use and maintenance of respiratory protection and equipment, which is used to reduce employee exposure to air contaminates. Policy: 1. All wearers of a SCBA shall have a physical annually or at an appropriate interval recommended in the NFPA 1582 medical standard (see chart A) prior to any use. Physician approval is required before a respirator shall be worn. 2. All wearers of a SCBA unit shall be evaluated after the consumption of a second cylinder of air. This evaluation is to be performed to assure that said firefighter is operating within his or her own body’s capacity. 3. All wearers of a SCBA shall operate in teams of at least two firefighters with no exceptions. No exception to this guideline will be permitted. Firefighter safety is of utmost importance. 4. The two firefighters inside the structure must stay together, communicating and maintaining contact through voice, sight or touch so that if one individual undergoes some difficulty, the other is there to assist. 5. This mutually supporting team of at least two firefighters must have some means of communications with an individual outside the IDLH atmosphere who will monitor their safety and have at least two appropriately trained firefighters, in ---PAGE BREAK--- the appropriate respiratory and personal protective equipment, available to make an immediate response to assist those inside the structure. 6. Any and all teams shall comply with the OSHA standard 1910.134 while operating in an Immediate Life Hazardous Environment (IDLH). There shall be an additional team positioned near the interior teams’ entry point, but not in the exposure area of the IDLH ready and equipped to affect the rescue of any interior firefighter should the need arise. 7. The only exception to complying with OSHA standard 1910.134 are if immediate entry, without having a two out team present, into an IDLH environment will prevent potential injury or loss of life. The Chief of Department or his / her designee will be responsible for the following: A. IDENTIFICATION AND LOCATION OF AIR CONTAMINATE EXPOSURES: 1. EMT’s responding to incidents with potential air borne contaminates 2. Confined Space Rescue situations 3. Firefighters performing interior structural firefighting 4. Firefighters responding to a hazardous materials incident where a possible inhalation hazard exists 5. Any other situation determined by the Incident Commander to require the use of a respirator B. RESPIRATOR SELECTION: 1. Firefighters will wear Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) of the positive pressure type 2. Respirators will provide a minimum 30 minutes of service 3. Respirators selected for EMS Operations will meet the appropriate standards C. MEDICAL EVALUATION FOR USERS OF RESPIRATORS: 1. All wearers of a SCBA shall have a physical annually or at an appropriate interval recommended in the NFPA 1582 medical standard (see chart A) prior to any use. Physician approval is required before a respirator may be worn. D. FIREFIGHTER TRAINING, EDUCATION AND FIT TESTING ---PAGE BREAK--- Training in the use and limitations of respirators will be provided to all respirator users. The department will conduct initial training along with refresher training. During training, firefighters will be advised of the potential hazards associated with excessive exposure of inhalation of hazardous substances. The department will perform quantitative fit testing annually. Note – facial hair, corrective glasses, goggles or other personal protective equipment cannot interfere with the face seal. The department will maintain a record of all fit tests on an annual basis. The following items will serve as a guide for the training: 1. The user will be instructed in the nature of the hazards for which the respiratory protection is being provided and informed of possible consequences, which may occur if exposed to such hazards without adequate protection. 2. Instruction will include a discussion of the respirator’s capabilities and limitations and discussion of the parts of the device and the function and possible malfunction of each part. 3. A detailed discussion of the user’s responsibility for inspection of equipment prior to use and the appropriate points of inspection will be included. Each user shall have access to a SCBA during this part of training. 4. Instruction and training will include guidance on proper storage, cleaning, maintenance and methods to assure adequate fit and function each time the SCBA is used. 5. Each user will wear a SCBA, practice fitting and adjusting equipment in an atmosphere of normal air 6. The Quantitative Fit Testing procedure will be explained. 7. A record of firefighter names, dates, type of initial training and subsequent refresher training will be maintained E. RESPIRATOR CLEANING, MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE: Cleaning and maintenance of respirators will be the responsibility of the members of the department. Procedures for cleaning, maintenance and storage are to be performed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations at least and after every use. F. RESPIRATOR PROGRAM EVALUATION: ---PAGE BREAK--- The Chief or his / her designee on a periodic basis will conduct an overall evaluation of the respirator program. This evaluation will include inspection of all records of the program, observation of user proficiency, and random inspection of respirators for cleanliness, deterioration and proper storage. Chart A: ISSUED BY FIRE COORDINATOR SCOTT ROMAN 1. Ages 29 and under – every 3 years 2. Ages 30-39 – every 2 years 3. Ages 40 and above – every year 4. Every year if physician considers it necessary