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Respiratory Protection

Concordia’s Respiratory Protection Program (RPP) is designed to reduce and eliminate employee exposure to workplace air contaminants, such as hazardous dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, vapors, or sprays, which may cause occupational illnesses. 

When dealing with air-borne contaminants, the primary objective is to prevent exposure. Elimination or reduction of respiratory hazards can be accomplished using engineering controls (example: chemical fumehood or local exhaust ventilation) or through safe work practices.  When no other means are possible, then respiratory protection must be used. Respiratory protection, along with all other personal protective equipment, is provided free of charge to employees, when it is deemed necessary for their work.

Our Respiratory Protection Program complies with Quebec’s Occupational Health & Safety legislation and with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard Z94.4-11 - Selection, Use and Care of Respirator. This program applies to all university activities involving staff, faculty, and students. 

Respiratory protection training is mandatory for all those that are required to wear a respirator as personal protective equipment (PPE) in the course of their work or studies. Training is also mandatory for supervisors and faculty whose employees or students are required to wear a respirator. 

The following training is provided by EHS:

  • Title: Respiratory Protection Training
  • Duration: 45 minutes
  • Frequency:  Every 2 years 

Material Covered:

  • Types of respiratory hazards;
  • Hazard assessment and monitoring; 
  • Types of respirators and their use;  
  • Effectiveness and limitations of respirators;
  • Medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators;
  • Instructions for inspecting, donning, wearing and removing, and checking the fit and seal of respirators;
  • Proper maintenance and storage practices; 
  • Employee’s and Supervisor’s responsibilities with respect to the RPP.

To complete the training watch the Respiratory Protection video (in English or French) and complete the quiz. 

All Members of the University Community enrolled in the RPP must comply with the Occupational Health Screening Procedure for Respiratory Protection (OHP-SOP-004). The purpose of the procedure is to evaluate an individual’s ability to wear respiratory protection safely and to protect an individual’s health through screening aimed at early detection of occupational respiratory diseases.

Respiratory protection users will be asked to complete a Respirator Use Form (OHP-FORM-005) and a Respirator Medical Clearance Form (OHP-FORM-006) to be reviewed by a medical professional. All forms must be signed and dated. 

All workers who are required to wear a respirator for their work must have a respirator fit test, conducted by EHS.

A fit testing shall be conducted:

  • Before the initial use of a tight-fitting respirator (half-face or full-face) and then every two years;
  • After the individual is medically cleared to wear a respirator; 
  • Whenever there is a change in the respirator (make, model, or size);
  • Whenever the employee reports changes or the supervisor observes changes in employee’s physical condition that could affect respirator fit (e. g., facial scarring, dental changes, cosmetic surgery, or an obvious change in body weight);
  • On individuals who are clean-shaven;
  • With the same make, model, style and size of respirator to be used; 
  • When an employee is required to wear other personal protective equipment, such as eye, face and hearing protection during work, the same protective equipment shall be worn during the fit test to ensure that they are compatible with the respirator and do not break the facial seal.
  • Respirator Fit Tests are offered at both SGW and Loyola campus. 

Steps to scheduling a fit test with EHS: 

  1. Watch the Respiratory Protection Training video.  
  2. Complete the Respiratory Protection Quiz.
  3. Complete the Medical Clearance and Respirator Use form (found on the training page) in the language of your choice and send it to ohp@concordia.ca.
  4. Users who have sent their completed forms and have been medically cleared will be contacted to book an appointment for the respirator fit test.
 
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