Document 0LaNwJvmROxoebXza9zqKJMvx

The new game p an for respirator testing T H familiar U S. Bureau of Mine* approval oa is dust rial respirators has been replaced by a )otnt Nation al Institute for Occupational Safety and Health/U.S. Bureau of Mines label reflecting tough new testing and quality control standards admin istered by NIOSH. NIOSH tests respirators at its Morgantown. W Va. laboratory un der the rules set down in 30 CFR Part 11 of Federal regulations. Only those respirators tesied untler Part 11 will hate formal approval after March 30. 1974. You can tell if you're getting a respirator ap proved under Part 11 by checking the label. First, it will have the joint NIOSH/ Bureau of Mines seal. Sec ond. it will list the schedule under vi hich it was approved. Part 11 ar proval schedules an: Self-contained breathing units. ISP; Gas masks. I4G; Supplied-air respirators. 19C; Filter type dust. turn*, and mitt respirators. 2IC: and Non-emergen cy gas respirators. 23C Patricia Gutscy, chief of the NIOSH Respirator Section, and Samuel Terry, supervisory chemist, filled us in on the new test pro cedures: Self-cootaieed breathing units now bave a higher demand Bow re quirement; inhalation temperature in certain tests is higher; the manufac turer must now state the lowest temperature at which the equipment is reliable. Gu masks now require stand ard eoior coding on canisters and cartridges: the regulations recognize aa "escape gu milk:" manufactur ers may request approval for can isters or cartridges against specific gases not now included in standard test procedures. Supplied-air respirators may now be approved with a maximum hose length of 300 feet, up from 250 feet: noise levels meuured inside the heoO may not exceed SO dBA. Dust, fume, and mist respira tors oust meet more stringent leak age and resistance requirements: there are specific provisions for testing single-use respirators (dis posable dust masks), and powered respirators. Chemical cartridge respirators must meet mote stringent resistance requirements: paint tpray respirators used to protect against lacquer sprays and enamel mists face tough er tuts. In addition, manufacturers who submit respirators to NIOSH for certification must also submit qual ity control plans. NIOSH hu the right to reject the plans, require changes, and to inspect the manu facturer's quality control tut meth ods. equipment, and records. If the inspection reveals that quality con trol is slipshod. NTOSH and the U.S. Bureau of Mines may revoke their approval. "As a further check on quality control NIOSH buys samples of ap proved respirators on the market and submits them to the same tests used for approval. In this way, ws can determine if quality has deteriorated since approval was granted." Mbs Gusscy told us. Test procedures Respirators submitted to NTOSH for approval ara put through "beach" (laboratory) aad "man" tuts (team in actual use). The man tuts for self-contained units require hard physical work. A tesi subject dons tht respirator, then takes a walk on a horizontal tread mill to get the feel of the equipment. Nekt, he takes a turn on a vertical treadmill, then crawls up. across, and down a wooden bridge-like affair. jThese tuts simulate the kind of bard work encountered in mining and rescuing. They alio test the per formance and reliability of tht major parts of the respirator. The wearer mukt get an adequate demand flow at ail times in all positions, and tht equipment must survive rugged treatment," Terry said. Pan 11 sets up stiff tuts for gu masks and facepieces. Manufactur ers are required either to provide several faeepiecu to match various facial contours or to provide one facepiece that will fit several differ ent'typu of facial structure. NIOSH man turn facepieces on people with different facial featu'**. DUP 0 9 1 3 m 1 ( f i I rr f r i i ! I i DU 030106 rgMWBWBliylflWWWH-WiBgilHlCTrflii Saipirarori mutf oots a nporout men ftif (fait m actual mt) btfoca they can racatva NIOSH QooraveJ. wr# the t#*r tubjact. waarinp 9 r>pif(or, works up 0 iwt on o rraaamtJI. The test utiiecr caters a rest cham ber witb a cor.cemraaca or ICO TPm tsoumu ,,c.u:c t-r 1 '.a!'. facepiece. 1.000 p.am. noatnyi acetate for a full-masic face* piece. For 6 turnouts, he performs various exercises: nouUmjj jnd tumtnc. uno movement calisthenics, rjn* Kitii: in place, pumping a tire pump Throughout the exercise he shnulU not be able to smell bananas--the characteristic odor of isoamyi ace tate. Bench tests measure the can isters ability to block out known concentrations of gases. Manufocturtn move An OH Held check reveals that, in general, respirator manufacturers welcome the new NIOSH test and quality control regulations. One representative told us, "the quality control methods are retiiy ante different from what leading makers have done for years, and now ail manufacturers will have to match them. I think in the long run the testing and quality control regula tions may increase the cost of res pirators somewhat, but. because they are so thoroughly tested and tightly controlled. American products will be in a better position in internation al markets." Manufacturers haven't been tit- NIOSH to expand product certification? Though, officially, NIOSH may now only certify respirators, coal mine dust personal sampler units, and detector rubes, it's clear that NIOSH will soon be branching out. [n fact, tests arc already in progress on a wide variety of personal pro tective devices. Proposed regulations are being re viewed by NIOSH officials for cer tification of safety hats, safety esc- wear, safety shoes, faceshiclds. cloves, and sound level meters. NIOSH officials arc also preparing similar regulations for the future to cover noise dosimeters, hearinc pro tective devices, and direct reading gas and vapor meters. Right now. all of the testing is be ing conducted according to Ameri can National Standards Institute l ANSI) standards for safety equip ment. Significantly, however, for those pieces of equipment for which no ANSI standard exists, and in cases where NIOSH believes the cur rent ANSI could be improved. NIOSH is researching other test methods. Will the NIOSH tests eventually lead to NIOSH cer.ir'ication of safe ty equipment? Probably, But. it's important to remember that all NIOSH can do w certify that a piece of equipment haa met certain mini mum standards. It cannot rcouirc employers to use only certified equipment. In that respect, its role will be roughly analogous to that of Under writers' Laboratories. No one is un der legal obligation to use UL-iisted equipment exclusively, but the UL label does represent a standard of safety and quality. Bob Schutz. head of the NIOSH Testing and Certification Labora tory. pointed out: "The actual auth ority to reauire use of such devices ..rid instruments and to specify where they are to be used, rests with OSHA in its role is enforcer of Department of Labor Standards. Thus, it Is im portant to remember that the role of NIOSH is one of advice and recom mendation- The mle of OSHA is enforcement" DUF 0913273 14 **reiriAii < <>/, , DV 030107 '.f a 03 ;r;:r bxtdi 111(1 wiit.-p" for ce'.-mmcnt action. Research and j:\clormcm has been extensive. For example, considerable re search it is progress to reduce the eichc of self-contained breathing units. By reducin'; the weight, man ufacturer! could offer units'that pro* side protection for longer than 30 minutes, the current limit for NfOSH Bureau of Mines approval. Self-contained units that offer 4$ mmutes of protection are available, but because they exceed the 35pound limit set in Pin 11, they can not be considered for approval. Aluminum cylinders, recently in troduced by some manufacturers, cut the weight slightly. Their main value, however, is cleanlines*--alu minum won t corrode--and ease of storage--aluminum cylinders can be made with flat bottoms. A method, now being tested by NASA, of re inforcing aluminum cylinders with glass fiber filaments, may help re duce weight significantly, but it won't be ready for the industrial market for some time. Self-contained units are the big guns of respiratory protection. They eoasc in a variety of sires from short duration models for workers In areas where toxic atmospheres above the capacity of a gat mask could occur, to tbe 30- and 45-minure duration models. Oea new 30-minuta unit feature* a specially designed regula tor which provides optimum air flow for peak inhalation requirements without increasing inhalation effort. Seif-generating units are tlso widely used. These have been Bur eau of Mints-approved for up to one hour. Instead of cylinders, these respirators use a chemical ear.ittar which generates oxygen and itaom exhaled carbon dioxide. An 4am warns the user to gat into fresh air before his hour is up. A new wrinkle in eseape units is dow used by the U.S. Navy to allow a ship's crew to escape from fire or smoke. The unit weight S.S pounds tod features a plastic hood aad breathing air reservoir. It provides a continuous flow of air foe five minutes. Supplied mir development Watch ter a new continuous flow supplied air rexpirator that maintain a slight positive pressure in the vinyt hood. Pressure helps to block nut inward leakage as me nose lino -e'ivc.-s cooi. clean nr. The manufac turer tells us noise levels m the rood will be well under the SO <JBA maximum permitted by Part 11. Supplied air respirators are avail able with t variety of headgear, in cluding helmets specially designed for sandblasting, welding, and high tcmBcraturei. OSHA permits air to be supplied to hosetine respirators either from cylinders or breathing air compres sors. Compressors must be used c:r nvruymg soroirt ocas and filters. an ovl-ubrcaud enm- prevsor is used, it snould hue met ivmporaturu alarm, carbon monox ide jalurtn. or both. If only a high temperature alarm Lx axed, the air iho'uld be sampled frequently for carjson monoxide. Purification systems should puri fy compressed air to the level ap proved for breathing by NFPA and Compressed Cas Association stand ards. One efficient system consists of ja mechanical device that removes CMM* M MH 4S ALCO-UTE FIBERGLASS . . . Right now, today, Alco-Llte fiberglass ladders have a ptaca in your ladder rapiacamant pro gram. What with the wood situation, all kinda of new safety rules, coat factors, profit mar gins. you nama it: tha time has eoma for Aico-Uta fiberglass ladders. Alco-Uta laddara matt or sur pass ASA, ANSI codas, and OSHA requirements. Alco-Lite gives you wider steps, reinforced rung sections, re placeable rungs, surfacing veil for weatherability -- to list only a few of tha features included on ail stepladders and extension ladders. Alco-Lite fiberglass ladders are stress-tested, and proven safe around electricity, chemi cals, and corrosive fumes. Hr e*el*t ieftnnatie* ms MetSeatMat ilk far eatairg *-kj Mr ether Inn ask Mr t*taM( l-A ilamina, aad/ar t-S itaeU THC MMUUl MJUKIFXCTveSSS Ok UIMIIMUM LASS*** RlUNllNUNl LpDDeR CO. r. e. tea tit* nwiwt xcahoiima reset men* Hiimim DU? 0913279 Wr"**** ** **r>wif***'* --< An** in/occur*nQNM kaiaxos a DU 030108 -v-g sgW GAMS HAN *rMi af *1 liquid wgrer and oil and filters paru small ji 10 microns. It alio blockj ail and water vapors, gain, and odors. Protective respirators for dulls, fumes, and mists arc subject to strin gent testing and quality control un der Part 11 The new regulations apply to standard type respirators; single-use respirators designed to protect against pneumoconiosis jnd fibrosis producing dusts and/or mats Ialuminum, coal, flour, and free silica); and powered respirators. Since the first approvals were granted about 2 years *gu, the unele-use or disposable respirator has been one ui the hottest turns on the market. Many industries hate been watting for just suds a unit. Because OSHA standards require regular cleaning, disinfecting, and maintenance ot respirators, dispos ables arc m great demand in plant, without cleaning and maintenance facilities and on eunstructiun sues. Patricia Cusscy of NIOSH be lieves the disposables are a good thing and much needed. ' However." she cautions, "they are strictly for use around silicosis and fibrosis pro ducing dusts, not for toxic materials. They should not. for example, be rued arouod lead fumes or while spraying wid lead-based paint." Another item you'll be hearing more about is the powered respira tor. It's already recognized in OSHA's asbestos standard for con centrations from 10 to 100 times the exposure limit. The NIOSH stand ards proposals for beryllium, cukiosen emissions, and lead also r*ccsnire powered respiratofi. These devices are commonly bat tery-driven. They pull air into and through a filter and deliver purified air into the facepiece. Positive pres sure. maintained ia the facepiece at all times, helps repel contaminants that might otherwise leak* in. One problem with powered respirators ha. b.cn the weight of the powered unit. However, it appears NIOSH is scar approval oti a unit that weighs only 111 i pounds. Improvements continue on stand ard-type respirators also. Several manufacturers now feature flexible aluminum facepieces so fit can be adjusted to insure a proper scat. Many are also available wiih gog gles and provide eye as wed as respi ratory protection. Changes earning? NIOSH is research mg large sam ples of the working population in or der to lean what facial contours and sizes are most common, and how facepieces might be altered to im prove fit. This may result in a change m Part 11 requiring respira tor manufacturers to supply three different facepieces. Workers, then. pfiner equipment. No single measurement technique has been selected, but apparently the one with the inside track measures the wearer from one corner of the mouth to the other and from the point of the chin to the bridge of the! nose. Another possible change coming eventually in Pan 11: a more objec tive facepiece fit test than the pmentione which relies oo the subject's ability to detect the odor of isoamyl acehue. What* new, bright and priced right? Warn-A-Lite! Strobe Lights (mitt ill OSHA rquvmtflta) Ar .x,. s>. Jer'--- Get strobe light quality at revolving light! prices! Warn bring* you top quality atrobo light* at th* price* you r* aecuatemod to paying for plain old revolving lights. Warn-AUtaa tr* mors efficient, more tellable, more versatile and easily maintained. Our new modular construction gives you a light with only thrao working parts... tuba, socket, powar supply. Chang* wnat you need when you need it... easily, from your own stock. Writ* today for information and our hlghty-comp*tltiv* price structure. WARN INDUSTRIES I I iMQl Pacific Highway South 1 Saaffi*. we. 9S1SS (20)243-ia74 DUf 0913280 Vew from Me makett el worfd-femoLs WARN-A-LahmS. Wm# N*. A# rMf Mfnr'i ( AufgM ivrs/occurAnofui haxaios as f j i i DU 030109 i ^^ugjfcgytxj'. / - * * i 2 3n <xVr^Mr^VR-'V, ..^-^Hvsvi f. .* ,/ 5tO T iA4*?f/f V* "-'',-'T,l '* * v^ffa.i?jf' -; --\v^''-f,~J- * '. , .- ... : ; - ` *, .. .--_ ;-'|^i:jfi5"-''V-?t-Vi-^ V -- - v -' >' i----%.-?."- '* 2*& 45- ' ''': . ". -T? AvfiM % tr' '4\VAV'*`1` I -;i: > - t;y*ftjpj^^- : -; & >-* ' .",>'. ] i ' <h v5> ^ ,................. 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