As stated in the University's Health and Safety Policy, the University is committed to providing a healthful and safe environment for all activities under its jurisdiction. In keeping with this commitment, the University has developed a Respirator Policy to ensure the health and safety of the University community and its visitors.
Overview
This policy has been developed to ensure that employees are adequately protected from air contaminants and other respiratory hazards. When employees may be exposed above recognized airborne exposure limits, respirators must be used if:
- Engineering controls (such as ventilation, enclosure of an operation, or substitution with less toxic materials) are not feasible;
- Engineering controls alone cannot reduce exposures to acceptable levels; or
- Respirators are used as an interim measure while engineering controls are in the process of being implemented.
This policy incorporates the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134) and serves as the University's written respiratory protection program, as required by the standard. The Occupational Health and Safety Specialist in the Department of Environmental Health and Safety is the designated Program Administrator for the University.
Scope
The policy applies to all University of Connecticut employees, at the Storrs and regional campuses, and covers the use of any type of respirator by employees, including:
Mandatory use: when a respirator is necessary to protect the health of an employee from exposure to air contaminants above an exposure limit or otherwise necessary to protect employee health; or when an employee is directed to wear a respirator as a condition of employment.
Voluntary use: when a respirator is worn for comfort or other reasons by an employee, though conditions do not exist (as described in item 1, above) that mandate its use.
Use of Dust Masks: filtering facepiece respirators, otherwise known as dust masks, are considered respirators by OSHA and are covered by this policy and by the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard.
To obtain a copy of the complete policy, please contact the Department of Environmental Health and Safety at 6-3613, or find it on the web at http://ehs.uconn.edu/ppp/#occu.