Workers at healthcare institutions may be exposed to airborne biological materials
or hazardous substances during day-to-day operations or emergencies. To protect workers
when such exposures cannot be avoided, Stony Brook Medicine (SBM) has a respiratory
protection program compliant with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) / Public Employee Safety and Health (PESH) regulations and SBM policies. Workers
are trained in how to protect themselves, and then provided with appropriate respirators.
Workers are medically cleared to ensure that the respirator can be worn safely, and
are periodically fit-tested, where appropriate, to ensure that the respirator they
will use fits their face correctly. Two major classes of respirators used at SBM are
N95s filtering facepiece respirators and Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR)s.
Additional information is provided on SBM’s ThePulse.
During normal business hours (7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday) contact Environmental
Health & Safety (EH&S) at 4-6783 to coordinate borrowing a PAPR.
During off hours/weekends, contact Security at 4-2825 to gain access to the EH&S office
(HSC, Level 1, Room 059).
Complete the PAPR sign out form and leave form in the Environmental Health & Safety
(EH&S) office located in HSC, Level 1, Room 059.
Inspect all parts – belt, blower, two battery packs, two magenta-colored filters,
hood, white breathing tube, protective sleeve over breathing tube - for any visible
damage. If any damage, do not use and contact EH&S.
Prior to each use, verify adequate air flow by turning on blower (press black button
on top) and placing the base of the airflow indicator tube on the top of the blower.
The ball in the indicator tube must rise above the minimum air flow black line. If
not successful, do not use PAPR and contact EH&S for replacement battery and/or filter.
Turn off blower.
Ensure the hood is attached to the breathing tube and the other end of the breathing
tube is attached to the blower unit. Write your name on the hood.
Turn on blower. Buckle the belt around the waist and adjust belt as needed. Don the
hood. If applicable, tuck inner cowl of the hood into scrubs/lab coat to reinforce
seal. Attach Velcro straps under the arms. The blower remains outside of clothes,
resting on the small of your back. A cool stream of air should be felt inside the
hood.
Fully charged batteries should operate PAPR for 4-8 hours. If you hear an audible
alarm, it is the low battery alarm and the batteries should be replaced.
After each use, turn off blower. Between uses, clean exterior of the PAPR components
and hood with hospital approved disinfection wipes (wear nitrile gloves) prior to
placing back into carrying bag. If hood is heavily soiled or damaged, discard and
contact EH&S for a replacement.
Charged batteries, and replacement hoods, filters, protective sleeves are available
in the EH&S office.
Prior to returning PAPR to EH&S, use the disinfection wipes to clean the outer surfaces
of the PAPR and discard the hood. Record date returned and length of time worn on
sign out form in EH&S office. Any questions, contact EH&S at 4-6783.
3M Secure Click Full Facepiece Resuable Respirator Series FF-800
