District/School Resources PK-16 Program Support
Career & Technical Education

CVTE Health and Safety Advisory Number Three Concerning Respirators

This memo concerns the use of respirators by students and staff. I have been in conversation with the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety (DOS) regarding the use of respirators in Chapter 74-approved automotive collision repair and refinishing programs and other programs such as horticulture that may use respirators. Indeed, the Health & Safety Strand of the draft Vocational Technical Education Curriculum Frameworks for several programs articulate that students will be able to demonstrate safe dress and use of relevant safety gear and personal protective equipment (PPE), including wrist rests, adjustable workspaces and equipment, gloves, boots, earplugs, eye protection, and breathing apparatus.

The Vocational Technical Education Regulations stipulate that regulations of the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) be the minimum standards for safety in Chapter 74-approved vocational technical education programs. OSHA has published requirements for respirator users that include a provision for all workplaces to have a written Respiratory Protection Program that includes the following:

1. How the workplace (school) selected the respirators that will be used;
2. Medical evaluations for any employee (students in Ch. 74 programs as well) that will be using a respirator
3. Fit testing for tight-fitting respirators
4. Guidelines to ensure that respirators are properly used
5. Inspection, cleaning, and maintenance procedures
6. Training on respiratory hazards connected to the employees' job (student as well)
7. Training on how to use respirators properly
8. A procedure for evaluating the Respiratory Protection Program

DOS staff has volunteered to conduct training concerning respirators during the current school year. Automotive collision repair and refinishing staff and other staff that may teach and monitor the use of respirators are strongly encouraged to attend. Note that cooperative education coordinators are strongly encouraged to attend due to their role in monitoring.

The trainings will be held at two locations as follows:

* If the school is closed due to snow, the training will not be held on that day. It will be held instead on the date/time listed in column 3.

Please register in advance by contacting Jeanette Cuevas in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Career/Vocational Technical Education unit (781) 338-3944 Jcuevas@doe.mass.edu by the following deadlines:

• For Southeastern - Friday, January 13, 2006
• For Smith - Friday, January 20, 2006

Enclosed please find material provided by DOS to be distributed to staff in the automotive collision repair and refinishing and any other programs that may use respirators.

C: Teachers in Chapter 74-approved automotive collision repair and refinishing programs

Enclosures