Respiratory Protection Program Responsibilities
In order for the Respiratory Protection Program to be effective, all affected individuals must clearly understand and take an active role in meeting their responsibilities. Due to the potential hazards associated with such work, the specific responsibilities outlined in this program must be followed.
In addition to the duties and responsibilities of employees and supervisors outlined in the following sections, other groups at Harvard University will play an important role in supporting the successful implementation and maintenance of this program.
The Environmental, Health, and Safety Department will provide expert technical guidance to support safe use of respiratory protection, and will participate in the annual program review process and training.
In addition, Department Managers will provide management commitment and support for successful implementation and maintenance of this program.
Management and Supervisor's Responsibilities
- Management and supervisor's responsibilities are outlined below:
- Ensuring that employees and contractors abide by the terms and conditions of this program.
- Determining any necessary disciplinary action for violations of this program.
- Providing management commitment and support for successful implementation and maintenance of this program.
- Identifying, with the assistance of EH&S, those employees under their supervision who may need respiratory protection equipment and scheduling them for fitting and training in the proper use and maintenance of the equipment.
- Requesting assistance from EH&S in evaluating new operations that may present health and safety hazards.
- Ensuring that employees are medically cleared to wear respirators (using the appropriate Medical Evaluation Form provided on this website).
- Enforcing the use of respiratory protection equipment and other requirements when applicable
- Ensuring that respirator users have received an annual training and fit testing.
- Ensuring respirator users use and operate their respirators under the respiratory protection procedures as described in this program.
- Applying engineering controls when feasible.
Employee Responsibilities
The responsibilities of employees qualified to wear respirators include:
- Providing information to a licensed health care provider as directed by the Medical Evaluation Form on this website.
- Obtaining required annual respiratory protection training and fit testing.
- Informing their supervisor of any change in operations, tasks, or hazards present.
- Utilizing the issued respiratory protection equipment in accordance with instruction and training provided by EH&S personnel. This includes maintaining the respirator in a clean " ready to use" condition
- Restricting the use of an assigned respirator to his or her exclusive use
- Informing his/her supervisor or licensed health care provider of any personal health problems that could be aggravated by the use of respiratory equipment
- Guarding against damage to equipment and ensuring respirators are not disassembled, modified, or otherwise altered in any way other than by the changing of respirator cartridges or filters.
- Reporting any observed or suspected malfunctioning respirator to their supervisor or EH&S personnel.
- Using only those brands and types of respiratory protection equipment for which they have been trained and fit tested.
Department of Environmental Health and Safety Responsibilities
The Department of Environmental Health and Safety responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Providing regulatory guidance to Harvard University regarding OSHA Respiratory Protection Standards.
- Providing technical guidance on selection of appropriate respiratory protection equipment.
- Providing technical expertise and assistance in air monitoring or industrial hygiene sampling as required.
- Conducting an annual review of the Respiratory Protection Program.
- Maintaining training records.
- Conducting training and fit testing of Harvard University personnel.
Contractors
University contractors shall maintain a written respirator program that meets the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.134. Contractors shall be responsible for administering and maintaining their own Respiratory Protection Program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134.
