This topic has 3 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 7 months ago by 
.
-
Posts
-
Hi Friends!
For the last few years PCPA has not had a respirator program. We decided that unless we are able to give everyone the same proper respirator training along with the important provision for medical screening that is necessary for the safe and proper use of respirators, that we would focus more on using materials in adequate ventilation and try to avoid materials that require respirators.
We are about ready to do a proper respirator training and to implement a respirator program. I was wondering if anyone can share how you and your company manage cartridge use? Do you have a system for tracking how often each cartridge is used and when it should be disposed of? How do you store your cartridges?
Thank you for any feedback you may have!
Happy New Year
Abby Hogan
Pacific Conservatory Theatre PCPA
Santa Maria
Hi Abby,
I have SO MUCH information for you about this! I’ve built 2 respiratory protection programs at various jobs and have a wide variety of resources I’d be happy to share. The OSHA website is a great place to start. Their standard on respiratory protection is 120 pages long and a bit overwhelming (although helpful!) but they also provide a more digestible sample program here. They also have a number of interactive tools on this website that can help you pick your masks, cartridges, and determine changeout scheduled. 3m also has a lot of useful tools on their website. Changeout schedules are always the hardest to make – they’re just really complex and it can be challenging to determine the levels at which you’re using chemicals. Not sure about how exactly your state works, but here in Ohio you can contact the Bureau of Workers’ Comp and meet with an industrial hygienist for free, so that may be something to look into. Having the information of someone who’s specialty it is to deal with this stuff will be invaluable.
Feel free to reach out with more questions!
I am creating a respirator policy for my theater. The information Rachel shared has been great! I”m wondering if anyone would share their policy document for their theater. I want to be able to compare what I”m preparing as a theater to other theaters. I”m adjusting the OSHA docs for our purposes now, but I”m still curious what language differences others are using for their policy. If you don’t mind sharing, which I will gladly when I”m done, my email is cballenger@mccarter.org. Thanks so much! And again big thanks to Rachel Claxton!
Carrie Ballenger (who hates typing on a laptop, but is stuck at home like everyone else!)
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
