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Focus groups on respirator use among the Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC) members conducted by NIOSH.

Authors
Doney B; Day B; Groce D
Source
American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, June 1-6, 2002, San Diego, California. Fairfax, VA: American Industrial Hygiene Association, 2002 Jun; :98-99
Link
NIOSHTIC No.
20022562
Abstract
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted six focus group meetings with contractor members of the Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC) from May through November 2000. The meetings allowed NIOSH to learn more about difficulties with respirator use previously reported by construction contractors. The participants conducted abrasive blasting and coatings applications, with extensive use of respirators that ranged from filtering facepieces to supplied-air respirators. The groups discussed painter and abrasive blaster exposures to airborne hazards; controls implemented to reduce exposure; and the barriers to using respiratory protection. Participating contractors reported 2,368 employees that wore air purifying respirators, and 1,280 employees that wore supplied-air respirators. Barriers to respiratory protection were categorized as administrative, engineering, medical, and personal. Administrative barriers included getting workers to wear respirators, maintaining training and fit test records, maintenance and storage, and air monitoring on small jobs. Respirator engineering barriers included interference with eye protection, difficulty with peripheral vision with supplied-air hoods, weight of the supplied-air hoses, lack of interchangeability of supplied-air hoses, and lack of indicators for changing cartridges.
Keywords
Respirators; Construction-workers; Construction-industry; Abrasive-blasting; Filters; Filtration; Airborne-particles; Hazards; Respiratory-protection
Publication Date
20020601
Document Type
Abstract
Fiscal Year
2002
NIOSH Division
DRDS
Priority Area
Research Tools and Approaches: Control Technology and Personal Protective Equipment
Source Name
American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, June 1-6, 2002, San Diego, California
State
WV; PA; CA
Page last reviewed: May 11, 2023
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Education and Information Division