(f)(1) General.

Where the use of respirators is required under this section the employer shall provide, at no cost to the employee, and assure the use of respirators which comply with the requirements of this paragraph.

Respirators shall be used in the following circumstances:

(1)(i) Whenever an employee's exposure to lead exceeds the PEL;

(1)(ii) In work situations in which engineering controls and work practices are not sufficient to reduce exposures to or below the PEL;

(1)(iii) Whenever an employee requests a respirator; and

(1)(iv) An interim protection for employees performing tasks as specified in paragraph (d)(2) of this section.

(f)(2) Respirator Selection.

(2)(i) Where respirators are used under this section the employer shall select the appropriate respirator or combination of respirators from Table 1 below.

(2)(ii) The employer shall provide a powered, air-purifying respirator in lieu of the respirator specified in Table 1 whenever:

1. An employee chooses to use this type of respirator; and
2. This respirator will provide adequate protection to the employee.

(2)(iii) The employer shall select respirators from among those approved for protection against lead dust, fume, and mist by the Mine Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) under the provisions of 30 CFR Part 11.

TABLE 1. - RESPIRATORY PROTECTION FOR LEAD AEROSOLS

Airborne concentration of lead or condition of use

Required respirator(1)

Not in excess of 500 ug/m(3) ...... - 1/2 mask air purifying respirator with high efficiency filters(2)(3). - 1/2 mask supplied air respirator operated in demand (negative pressure) mode. Not in excess of 1,250 ug/m(3) ..... - Loose fitting hood or helmet powered air purifying respirator with high efficiency filters(3). - Hood or helmet supplied air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode - e.g., type CE abrasive blasting respirators operated in a continuous-flow mode. Not in excess of 2,500 ug/m(3) ..... - Full facepiece air purifying respirator with high efficiency filters(3). - Tight fitting powered air purifying respirator with high efficiency filters(3) - Full facepiece supplied air respirator operated in demand mode. - 1/2 mask or full facepiece supplied air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode. - Full facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) operated in demand mode. Not in excess of 50,000 ug/m(3) .... - 1/2 mask supplied air respirator operated in pressure demand or other positive-pressure mode. Not in excess of 100,000 ug/m(3) ... - Full facepiece supplied air respirator operated in pressure demand or other positive-pressure mode - e.g., type CE abrasive blasting respirators operated in a positive-pressure mode. Greater than 100,000 ug/m(3) unknown concentration, or fire fighting ... - Full facepiece SCBA operated in pressure demand or other positive-pressure mode.

(f)(3) Respirator Usage.

(3)(i) The employer shall assure that the respirator issued to the employee exhibits minimum facepiece leakage and that the respirator is fitted properly.

(3)(ii) Employers shall perform either quantitative or qualitative face fit tests at the time of initial fitting and at least every six months thereafter for each employee wearing negative pressure respirators. The qualitative fit tests may be used only for testing the fit of half-mask respirators where they are permitted to be worn, and shall be conducted in accordance with appendix D. The tests shall be used to select facepieces that provide the required protection as prescribed in Table 1.

(3)(iii) If an employee exhibits difficulty in breathing during the fitting test or during use, the employer shall make available to the employee an examination in accordance with paragraph (j)(3)(i)(B) of this section to determine whether the employee can wear a respirator while performing the required duty.

(f)(4) Respirator Program.

(4)(i) The employer shall institute a respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b), (d), (e) and (f).

(4)(ii) The employer shall permit each employee who uses a filter respirator to change the filter elements whenever an increase in breathing resistance is detected and shall maintain an adequate supply of filter elements for this purpose.

(4)(iii) Employees who wear respirators shall be permitted to leave work areas to wash their face and respirator facepiece whenever necessary to prevent skin irritation associated with respirator use.