Respiratory Protection

The Respiratory Protection course from the American Institute of Safety Professionals provides comprehensive training on OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134, the standard governing respiratory protection programmes. Respiratory protection is required when engineering and administrative controls are insufficient to reduce airborne contaminants below permissible levels. The standard requires a written programme, medical evaluation before fit testing, fit testing before use, proper selection based on the hazard, training, and maintenance. This course covers every programme element at the depth safety officers and programme administrators need.

The curriculum covers when respiratory protection is required, the written respiratory protection programme, medical evaluation (physician/PLHCP questionnaire, follow-up examination), fit testing (qualitative and quantitative methods), respirator types (APR: half-face, full-face, PAPR; SAR: airline; SCBA: self-contained), assigned protection factors (APF), respirator selection based on hazard and APF, proper use (don/doff, user seal check), maintenance (cleaning, inspection, storage, repair), voluntary use provisions (Appendix D), IDLH atmosphere requirements, and programme evaluation. All training is delivered 100% online through the American Institute of Safety Professionals LMS.

Upon completing this program, participants will be able to:

• Develop the written respiratory protection programme: all required elements including procedures for selection, medical evaluation, fit testing, use, maintenance, training, and programme evaluation.
• Manage medical evaluation: OSHA medical questionnaire, PLHCP review, follow-up examination criteria, and the medical clearance that must precede fit testing.
• Manage fit testing: qualitative methods (BitrexTM, saccharin, irritant smoke) and quantitative methods (ambient aerosol CNC, PNOS, controlled negative pressure), annual fit testing, and the testing that verifies face-to-facepiece seal.
• Select respirators using assigned protection factors: APF 10 (half-face APR), APF 25 (PAPR with loose-fitting), APF 50 (full-face APR, PAPR tight-fitting, SAR), APF 10,000 (SCBA pressure-demand), matching APF to the hazard ratio (airborne concentration ÷ OEL).
• Train respirator users: proper donning/doffing, user seal check (positive and negative pressure), limitations, maintenance responsibilities, and emergency procedures.
• Maintain respirators: cleaning and disinfecting, inspection before and after use, storage (protecting from damage, deformation, contamination), and repair by trained personnel only.

Core Topics

• Written Programme: required elements, administrator designation, procedures
• Medical Evaluation: questionnaire, PLHCP, follow-up, clearance
• Fit Testing: qualitative (BitrexTM, saccharin), quantitative (CNC, CNCP), annual
• Respirator Types: half-face APR, full-face APR, PAPR, SAR, SCBA
• Assigned Protection Factors: APF 10/25/50/1000/10000, selection methodology
• Cartridge/Filter Selection: N/R/P series, organic vapour, acid gas, multi-gas, HEPA
• User Seal Check: positive and negative pressure, every donning
• Maintenance: cleaning, inspection, storage, repair
• Voluntary Use: Appendix D, filtering facepiece provisions
• IDLH Atmospheres: SCBA requirement, standby rescue, communication
• Programme Evaluation: effectiveness assessment, compliance verification

• No prior training required
• No academic degree required
• All instruction in English

Upon completion, graduates receive an American Institute of Safety Professionals certificate, wallet card, and transcript. Employer-verifiable at amiosp.com/student-verifications.

• Safety officers managing respiratory protection programmes
• Industrial hygienists selecting respirators based on exposure data
• Workers required to wear respirators
• Supervisors overseeing respirator use
• Medical professionals conducting respiratory clearance

• Respiratory Protection — YOU ARE HERE (1910.134 programme)
• Introduction to Industrial Hygiene (exposure assessment that drives RPE selection)
• Hearing Conservation Program (another programme-based health standard)
• International Diploma in Advanced Industrial Hygiene