/Enterprise Risk Management
Environmental Health and Safety

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

 

Workers at healthcare institutions may be exposed to airborne biological materials or hazardous substances during day-to-day operations or emergencies. To protect workers when such exposures cannot be avoided, Stony Brook Medicine (SBM) has a respiratory protection program compliant with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) / Public Employee Safety and Health (PESH) regulations and SBM policies. Workers are trained in how to protect themselves, and then provided with appropriate respirators. Workers are medically cleared to ensure that the respirator can be worn safely, and are periodically fit-tested, where appropriate, to ensure that the respirator they will use fits their face correctly. Two major classes of respirators used at SBM are N95s filtering facepiece respirators and Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR)s. Additional information is provided on SBM’s ThePulse.

3M 1870+ N95 Respirator (health care particulate and surgical mask) resources:

3M 1860/1860S N95 Respirator (health care particulate respirator and surgical mask) resources: 

Honeywell DC365 Surgical N95 Respirator resources:

Moldex 1500 series N95 Respirator (health care particulate respirator and surgical mask) resources:

3M 8210 and 8110S N95 Particulate Respirator (NOT a surgical mask) resources:

3M 9205+ N95 Particulate Respirator (NOT a Surgical Mask) resources:

To access a PAPR

User instructions

Bullard Hooded Powered Air Purifying Respirator, Model PA 30 resources:

Operating instructions

  1. Complete the PAPR sign out form and leave form in the Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) office located in HSC, Level 1, Room 059.
  2. Inspect all parts – belt, blower, two battery packs, two magenta-colored filters, hood, white breathing tube, protective sleeve over breathing tube - for any visible damage. If any damage, do not use and contact EH&S.
  3. Prior to each use, verify adequate air flow by turning on blower (press black button on top) and placing the base of the airflow indicator tube on the top of the blower. The ball in the indicator tube must rise above the minimum air flow black line. If not successful, do not use PAPR and contact EH&S for replacement battery and/or filter. Turn off blower.
  4. Ensure the hood is attached to the breathing tube and the other end of the breathing tube is attached to the blower unit. Write your name on the hood.
  5. Turn on blower. Buckle the belt around the waist and adjust belt as needed. Don the hood. If applicable, tuck inner cowl of the hood into scrubs/lab coat to reinforce seal. Attach Velcro straps under the arms. The blower remains outside of clothes, resting on the small of your back. A cool stream of air should be felt inside the hood.
  6. Fully charged batteries should operate PAPR for 4-8 hours. If you hear an audible alarm, it is the low battery alarm and the batteries should be replaced.
  7. After each use, turn off blower. Between uses, clean exterior of the PAPR components and hood with hospital approved disinfection wipes (wear nitrile gloves) prior to placing back into carrying bag. If hood is heavily soiled or damaged, discard and contact EH&S for a replacement.
  8. Charged batteries, and replacement hoods, filters, protective sleeves are available in the EH&S office.
  9. Prior to returning PAPR to EH&S, use the disinfection wipes to clean the outer surfaces of the PAPR and discard the hood. Record date returned and length of time worn on sign out form in EH&S office. Any questions, contact EH&S at 4-6783.

 

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DIRECTOR OF HEALTHCARE SAFETY AND HOSPITAL SAFETY OFFICER

Barbara Boyle  |  (631) 444-6382  |  Barbara.Boyle@stonybrookmedicine.edu