Respiratory Protection Program Hazard Assessment

Assessment Date: [DATE]

Assessor: [ASSESSOR NAME]

Department/Area: [DEPARTMENT/AREA]

Review Date: [REVIEW DATE]

1. Assessment Scope

This risk assessment covers all tasks and areas where respiratory protection is required to protect workers from exposure to harmful air contaminants, including dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors. It includes the selection, use, and maintenance of respirators. Excluded are situations where respiratory protection is used solely for comfort and not mandated by regulations or the employer, and where the atmosphere is not immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH).

2. Risk Assessment Methodology

This risk assessment follows a 5x5 risk matrix methodology, combining likelihood and severity to determine the overall risk rating. The hierarchy of controls is applied to mitigate identified hazards, prioritizing elimination and substitution, followed by engineering controls, administrative controls, and finally, personal protective equipment (PPE).

3. Risk Matrix Reference

The following matrix is used to evaluate risk levels based on likelihood and severity:

		Likelihood
Rare	Unlikely	Possible	Likely	Almost Certain
Severity	Catastrophic	Low	Low	Medium	Medium	High
Major	Low	Medium	Medium	High	High
Moderate	Medium	Medium	High	High	Extreme
Minor	Medium	High	High	Extreme	Extreme
Negligible	High	High	Extreme	Extreme	Extreme

4. Hazard Identification and Risk Evaluation

1. Exposure to airborne dusts (e.g., silica, asbestos) during construction or demolition activities.

Potential Consequences: Respiratory irritation, silicosis, asbestosis, lung cancer.

Affected Persons: Workers, visitors

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Likely	Moderate	High

Control Measures

• Eliminate the use of the hazardous substance where possible.
• Substitute with a less hazardous material.
• Install or improve ventilation systems.
• Implement a change schedule for canisters and cartridges based on objective data.
• Ensure proper fit testing and user seal checks are performed.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Moderate	Medium

2. Inhalation of welding fumes containing metal oxides and other harmful substances.

Potential Consequences: Metal fume fever, respiratory irritation, long-term respiratory damage.

Affected Persons: Workers, maintenance personnel

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Moderate	Medium

Control Measures

• Ensure proper ventilation during welding operations.
• Use welding techniques that minimize fume generation.
• Provide appropriate respirators (e.g., N95, half-face or full-face respirators with appropriate filters).
• Implement administrative controls to limit exposure duration.
• Provide and require the use of appropriate PPE, including gloves and eye protection.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Rare	Minor	Low

3. Oxygen-deficient atmospheres in confined spaces or during emergency situations.

Potential Consequences: Asphyxiation, loss of consciousness, death.

Affected Persons: Workers, emergency responders

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Catastrophic	High

Control Measures

• Provide self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for entry into IDLH atmospheres.
• Ensure proper training in SCBA use and maintenance.
• Implement a buddy system and establish clear communication protocols.
• Conduct regular drills and emergency response training.
• Maintain and inspect SCBA equipment regularly.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Rare	Major	Medium

4. Exposure to hazardous gases or vapors (e.g., chlorine, ammonia) due to leaks or spills.

Potential Consequences: Respiratory irritation, chemical burns, poisoning, death.

Affected Persons: Workers, nearby community

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Major	Medium

Control Measures

• Use appropriate respirators with chemical cartridges or canisters.
• Implement a change schedule for cartridges based on objective data.
• Ensure proper ventilation and containment measures are in place.
• Provide training on chemical hazards and respirator use.
• Store chemicals properly and have spill response procedures in place.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Rare	Moderate	Low

5. Exposure to mold spores in water-damaged buildings.

Potential Consequences: Allergic reactions, respiratory infections, asthma exacerbation.

Affected Persons: Workers

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Moderate	Medium

Control Measures

• Provide appropriate particulate respirators (e.g., N95, P100).
• Implement dust control measures (e.g., wet methods, ventilation).
• Provide training on proper respirator use and maintenance.
• Ensure regular cleaning of work areas.
• Conduct air monitoring to assess exposure levels.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Rare	Minor	Low

5. General Control Measures

• Implement engineering controls to prevent atmospheric contamination, such as enclosure or confinement of operations, general and local ventilation, and substitution of less toxic materials.

Regularly inspect and maintain engineering controls to ensure their effectiveness. [5] [5]

• Develop and implement a written respiratory protection program in accordance with CSA Standard Z94.4, including procedures for respirator selection, medical evaluations, fit testing, use, maintenance, and training.

The program should be worksite-specific and updated as necessary to reflect changes in workplace conditions. [1]

• Provide respirators, training, and medical evaluations at no cost to the employee.

Ensure all employees have access to necessary resources without financial burden.

6. Emergency Preparedness

• Ensure sufficient workers are trained in rescue procedures and have immediate access to appropriate breathing apparatus or other aids necessary to effect a rescue in areas where an oxygen deficient atmosphere or hazardous contaminants may be present. [1] [1]
• Establish procedures for emergency escape from areas with IDLH atmospheres, ensuring availability of escape-only respirators.

7. Training Requirements

• Hazard Awareness Training: Employees must receive comprehensive training on the respiratory hazards to which they are potentially exposed during routine and emergency situations. [2]
• Respirator Use and Maintenance Training: Training must cover the proper use of respirators, including putting on and removing them, any limitations on their use, and their maintenance. [2]
• Annual Retraining: Annual retraining is required to ensure employees retain the necessary knowledge and skills for safe respirator use. [4]

8. Monitoring and Review

Review Frequency: Annually, or after any incident involving respiratory hazards or changes in workplace conditions.

Monitoring Type	Frequency	Responsible Party	Description
Regular Inspection	Before each use and during cleaning	Respirator users	Regularly inspect respirators before each use and during cleaning to ensure they are in good working condition. [3]
Regular Inspection	Monthly and after each use	Designated program administrator	Inspect respirators maintained for emergency use at least monthly and after each use. [3]
Program Evaluation	As necessary	Program administrator	Evaluate the workplace to ensure the written respiratory protection program is effectively implemented. [3]

9. Special Circumstances

• Work in poorly ventilated areas may increase the risk of exposure to airborne contaminants.
• Hot or humid conditions can affect respirator comfort and worker endurance.
• Night work may reduce visibility and increase the risk of accidents or improper respirator use.

Approval and Sign-off

This risk assessment has been reviewed and approved by:

Assessor: _________________________ Date: __________

Manager/Supervisor: _________________________ Date: __________

Safety Representative: _________________________ Date: __________

This risk assessment must be reviewed annually, or after any incident involving respiratory hazards or changes in workplace conditions. or when significant changes occur.

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