Article VI - RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
A. General
Where respirators are required under this agreement, FMC shall select, provide and assure the use of the appropriate respirators or combination of respirators which shall be NIOSH approved for dust and mist. Compliance with the permissible exposure limit may not be achieved by use of respirators except:
- 1. during the time period necessary to install or implement feasible engineering and work practice controls, or
- 2. in work operations such as maintenance and repair activity in which engineering and work practice controls are technologically not feasible, or
- 3. work situations where engineering and work practice controls are not sufficient to reduce exposure to or below the permissible exposure limit, or
- 4. in emergencies.
B. Respirator Program
FMC shall institute a respiratory protection program in accordance with Chapter IX, Section 3. of WOHS Rules and Regulations, General.
C. Respirator Usage
FMC shall assure that the respirator issued to the employee exhibits minimum face piece leakage and that the respirator is fitted properly. FMC shall perform quantitative fit tests annually for each employee who uses a non-powered particulate filter respirator. FMC shall allow each employee who uses a filter respirator to change the filter element whenever an increase in breathing resistance is detected and shall maintain an adequate supply of filter elements for this purpose. FMC shall allow employees who wear respirators to wash their faces and respirator face pieces to prevent skin irritation associated with respirator use.
D. Visible Emissions
RIC shall require the usage of respirators by all employees in the vicinity of visible emissions for the duration of such visible emissions.