Respiratory Protection and ASTM F3387-19

MSHA published the new silica rule last year. As we approach compliance dates for Coal mines and M/NM Mines a year later, I wanted to bring attention to the new respiratory protection standard. The regulation incorporated ASTM F3387-19 by reference. There is a lot to this standard, so I wanted to highlight some of the key parts to the updated program.

First, here is the link from the MSHA silica single-source page:

Fact Sheet

Now, how do we make a respiratory protection plan that complies with the new ASTM standard? Here are the minimum requirements:

ASTM F3387-19 5.5 Minimal Acceptable Respirator Program

5.5.1     Program Administration

5.5.2     SOPs

5.5.3     Medical Evaluation

5.5.4     Respirator Selection

5.5.5     Training

5.5.6     Fit Testing

5.5.7     Maintenance, Inspection, and Storage

or, to expand on this with the complete reference sections and specifications:

5.5 Minimal Acceptable Respirator Program

 5.5.1     Program Administration (covered in Section 6)

               6.1         RP Administrator (doesn’t have to be someone at the mine)

               6.3         Responsibilities

  • Administer and update plans

  • Audit the plan at least annually

  • Ensure other person audits periodically that is not associated with the plan

  • May be covered under SOPs with auditing

5.5.2     SOPs (Section 7)

               7.2.1     Hazard Assessment (covered in section 8.2)

      • Which contaminants are present

      • Physical state of chemical properties

      • Likely airborne concentrations

      • Potential for oxygen deficient atmospheres

      • Whether there is a TLV

      • Whether IDLH atmosphere exists

      • Can contaminant be absorbed through the eyes or skin or produce sensitivity

               7.2.2     Respirator selection (covered in Section 8.3)

  • Nature of hazard

  • Activity and workplace factors

  • Respirator use duration

  • Respirator limitations

  • Use of approved respirator

               7.2.3     Medical Evaluation (5.5.3)

  • Licensed Health Care Professional following

    • Type and weight of respirator

    • Duration and frequency of use

    • Hazards for which respirator will be worn

    • Additional PPE to be worn

  • Written records of medical evaluations maintained as medical records

               7.2.4     Training (covered in Section 9)

  • Provide initial and annual

  • Basic Respiratory Protection Practices

  • Nature and extent of respiratory hazards encountered

  • Recognition and resolution of respirator use problems

  • Principals for selecting respirators

  • Fit testing and issuing respirators

  • Respirator inspection

  • Proper respirator use and monitoring use

  • Specific element change schedule

  • Respirator maintenance and storage

  • Regulations concerning respirator use

  • Records of training

               7.2.5     Fit Testing (Section 10)

  • Negative-Pressure Respirator Fit Tests

    • Quantitative APF of 100 for half mask/500 for full mask

    • Qualitative cannot be worn in atmospheres greater than 10x TLV

  • Positive-Pressure Respirator Fit Tests (including PAPRs) (Section 10.3.2)

    • Fit Tested in Negative Pressure Mode

    • Qualitative or Quantitative (APF of 100/500 like above)

  • Fit Testing performed annually

  • Records shall be kept (10.7)

               7.2.6     Issuance

               7.2.7     Maintenance, inspection, and storage (Section 12)

  • Decontamination, Cleaning, and Sanitizing

  • Inspection

  • Parts Replacement and Repairs

  • Storage

               7.2.8     Air-purifying element change schedule (Section A1)

  • Service Life of canister element

  • Change schedule

               7.2.9     Breathing air quality (Section 13)

  • Only applies to supplied air.  Not Applicable for most mines

               7.2.10   Monitoring respirator use

               7.2.11   Hazard Re-evaluation

               7.2.12   Employer policies

               7.2.13   Program evaluation and auditing

  • (covered with Program Administrator)

               7.3         Special considerations for escape-only respirators

  • Only applicable if they use escape-only respirators such as H2S bite piece

5.5.3     Medical Evaluation (covered in SOPs)

5.5.4     Respirator Selection (covered in SOPs)

5.5.5     Training (Covered in SOPs)

5.5.6     Fit Testing (Covered in SOPs)

5.5.7     Maintenance, Inspection, and Storage (Covered in SOPs)

I hope this helps everyone to prepare for compliance dates ahead of the new rule.

As always, if you would like assistance writing a compliant program or review of your current plan, please contact me.

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