Respiratory Protection

DOE-STD-1128-98

Guide of Good Practices for Occupational Radiological Protection in Plutonium Facilities

surveys after every glove usage. The glove inspections should be made each time

by the same team of trained individuals, and the condition of each glove should be

recorded so that glove failures can be anticipated and preventative measures can be

taken. The development of a statistical basis for establishing the frequency of

glove changes should be considered because such a basis may be cost-effective.

For example, the change-out frequency could be planned so that gloves are

changed at some fraction of the mean time between failures or more preferably

some fraction of the minimum time between failures. This type of change-out

program could also minimize personnel doses and potential contamination spread

incidents associated with too-frequent glove replacement. This procedure may

require that each glove use be categorized. A routine replacement program will not

replace an inspection program, but it is a supplement to the inspections. The

inspector's surgeon gloves should, of course, be surveyed after the inspection of

each glove-box glove. Gloves that are in questionable condition should be changed

without delay. Gloves that are not in use for the remainder of that shift should be

capped off with a glove cover or plastic bag. Gloves not in sue should be stored

inside the glove box in such a manner that they do not interfere with operations.

4.3.4 Respiratory Protection

Respiratory protection should be readily available. Respiratory protective equipment should

be used for all bag-out operations, bag and glove changes, and any situation involving a

potential or actual breach of confinement. Alternatively, the operation could be performed

in a glovebag to maintain confinement. In any case, protection, in the form of air-purifying

or atmosphere-supplying respirators, should be considered whenever concentrations of

radionuclides in the air are likely to exceed 30% of the Derived Air Concentration (DAC).

For good performance, the respirator must fit closely on the facial contours and make an

impenetrable seal so that all air enters through the filter or is supplied by the breathing-air

supply. ANSI Z88.2-1992 (ANSI, 1980b) describes qualitative and quantitative tests that

should be used to ensure that the respirator fits the individual; only the quantitative test

should be used for verification of respirator fit at plutonium facilities. Respirator fit tests

should be performed annually.

The respiratory protective device selected should provide a protection factor appropriate for

the air concentration anticipated. ANSI Z88.2 provides protection factors guidance.

Air-supplied hoods are becoming more popular because a fitting is not required and facial

hair does not prohibit their use. Protection factors greater than 1000 have been determined

with air-supplied hoods. All respirators, including air-supplied hoods, require approval.

While NIOSH approves most respirators, some respirator types in use at DOE facilities are

not part of the NIOSH testing program.

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