Respirators for Pesticide Use Compliance

This course offers a comprehensive guide to selecting, using, and maintaining respirators for pesticide safety. It covers when respirators are required, types available, and their levels of protection. Participants will learn about EPA label requirements, NIOSH standards, fit testing, medical evaluations, and written respiratory programs. The course emphasizes proper use, care, and storage of respirators, ensuring compliance with regulations and safeguarding worker health. Practical tips on handling emergency situations, voluntary use, and maintaining a change-out schedule further enhance the understanding of effective respiratory protection in agricultural settings.

After completing this course, learners will be able to:

• Identify when to wear a respirator and the tasks that require respirator use in pesticide applications.
• Understand the requirements of a compliant respirator program including the responsibility of the administrator, recordkeeping requirements, selection and approval of personal protective equipment, medical evaluation, fit testing requirements, training component, voluntary use requirements, cleaning, care and annual review process.
• Understand the 4 steps to take to select the appropriate respirator, including review of precautionary statements on the label, finding the section in the product label that specifies the type of respiratory protection required to be utilized by the pesticide handler for different activities. Review of the two types of respirators available. Discussion of filter media and types of filters. And the protective barrier between user and contaminant.