I. The Honolulu Police Department (HPD)
is committed to the control of occupational
diseases caused by breathing air contaminated
with harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases,
smokes, sprays, vapors, and viruses.

II. This policy shall serve as the written
Respiratory Protection Program of the HPD with
required worksite-specific procedures and
elements for required respirator use necessary
to protect the health of employees.

III. During work-related activities, the HPD
shall provide safe work places and practices by
the elimination or reduction of existing or
potential hazards. When elimination is not
feasible, reduction of existing or potential
hazards to acceptable levels shall be promptly
used. When these methods are inadequate to reach
acceptable levels, personal protective equipment
shall be provided and used.

IV. This program shall be administered in
compliance with the Hawaii Administrative Rules,
Title 12, Department of Labor and Industrial
Relations; Subtitle 8, Division of Occupational
Safety and Health; Part 2, General Industry
Standards; and Chapter 64.1, Personal Protective Equipment.
SCOPE AND APPLICATION

A. This program applies to all elements
with personnel who may be exposed to breathing
contaminated air where effective and accepted
engineering controls are not feasible or while
they are being instituted and, therefore,
require the use of respiratory protection.
Elements with personnel who use respirators
shall assign an Element Respirator Coordinator (ERC).

B. Any employee working in areas and/or
engaged in certain processes or tasks identified
in Attachment 2 must be enrolled in the HPD
Respiratory Protection Program. This includes,
but is not limited to, employees in the
Clandestine Laboratory of the Narcotics/Vice
Division, Scientific Investigation Section,
Specialized Services Division, and patrol districts.

C. Any employee who is required to wear
a respirator shall participate in the
Respiratory Protection Program at no cost to them.
The expense associated with training, medical
evaluations, fit testing, and respiratory protection
equipment will be borne by the HPD.

D. Any employee who voluntarily wears a
half-faced respirator other than a filtering
facepiece respirator (dust mask) shall be
subject to the medical evaluation, training,
cleaning, maintenance, and storage provisions
of this program. Requirements for voluntary
use of respirators are outlined in section XI.
DEFINITIONS

A. Air-purifying respirator (APR):
A respirator with an air-purifying filter,
cartridge, or canister that removes specific
air contaminants by passing ambient air through
the air-purifying element.

B. Atmosphere-supplying respirator:
A respirator that supplies the respirator
user with breathing air from a source
independent of the ambient atmosphere and
includes supplied-air respirators (SARs)
and self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units.

C. Emergency situation: Any occurrence,
such as (but not limited to) an equipment failure,
a rupture of containers, or failure of control
equipment that may or does result in an
uncontrolled significant release of an airborne contaminant.

D. Employee exposure: Exposure to a
concentration of an airborne contaminant
that would occur if the employee were not
using respiratory protection.

E. Filtering facepiece respirator
(dust mask): A negative pressure particulate
respirator with a filter as an integral part
of the facepiece or with the entire facepiece
composed of the filtering medium.

F. Immediately dangerous to life or
health (IDLH): An atmosphere that poses an
immediate threat to life, would cause
irreversible adverse health effects, or
would impair an individual’s ability to
escape from a dangerous atmosphere.

G. Negative-pressure respirator:
A respirator in which the air pressure inside
the facepiece is negative during inhalation
with respect to the ambient air pressure outside
of the respirator.

H. Positive-pressure respirator:
A respirator in which the pressure inside
the respiratory inlet covering exceeds the
ambient air pressure outside of the respirator.

I. Powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR):
An air purifying respirator that uses a blower
to force the ambient air through air-purifying
elements to the inlet covering.

J. SCBA: An atmosphere-supplying respirator
for which the breathing air source is designed to
be carried by the user.

K. Qualitative fit test (QLFT): A pass/fail
fit test to assess the adequacy of respirator fit
that relies on the individual’s response to the test agent.

L. Quantitative fit test (QNFT): An assessment
of the adequacy of respirator fit by numerically
measuring the amount of leakage into the respirator.

M. Tight-fitting facepiece: A respiratory inlet
covering that forms a complete seal with the face.

RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Program Administrator

The Program Administrator is responsible for
administering the Respiratory Protection Program.
The Program Administrator for the department is
the HPD’s Safety Specialist (see Attachment 1 for
contact information). The duties of the Program Administrator include:

1. Identifying work areas, processes,
or tasks that require workers to wear
respirators and evaluating hazards to include IDLH hazards.

Note: The assistance of a Certified Industrial
Hygienist (CIH) may be required for this task;

2. Coordinating the selection of
respiratory protection options with the appropriate ERC;

3. Monitoring respirator use to ensure
that respirators are used in accordance with their certifications;

4. Ensuring that adequate or proper training
is conducted in accordance with this program;

5. Ensuring that proper storage and
maintenance procedures for respiratory protection
equipment are being followed at the element level;

6. Ensuring that employees using tight
fitting facepiece respirators pass an appropriate
QLFT or QNFT;

7. Administering the medical surveillance program;

8. Maintaining records required by the program;

9. Evaluating the program; and

10. Updating the written program, as needed.

B. ERC

The ERCs are responsible for administering
the respiratory program at the element level
in coordination with the Program Administrator.
The duties of the ERC include:

1. Identifying work areas, processes,
or tasks that require workers to wear
respirators and evaluating hazards to include IDLH hazards;

2. Selecting or recommending appropriate
respiratory protection options, which may be
unique to their element or working conditions;

3. Monitoring respirator use to ensure
that respirators are used in accordance with
their certifications or training;

4. Arranging for and/or conducting and
documenting appropriate element training;

5. Ensuring proper storage and maintenance
of respiratory protection equipment;

6. Verifying with the Program Administrator
that employees using tight fitting facepiece
respirators have passed an appropriate QLFT or QNFT;

7. Gathering, maintaining, and distributing
element-level records required by the program.
This includes (but is not limited to) training,
equipment, inspection, certifications, and
Hazard Assessment and Recognition Plan (HARP) forms;

8. Providing needed element documents to the
Program Administrator; and

9. Coordinating and maintaining a sufficient
supply of respiratory supplies and equipment.

C. Supervisors

Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that
the Respiratory Protection Program is implemented
in their particular areas. In addition to being
knowledgeable about the program requirements for
their own protection, supervisors must also ensure
that the program is understood and followed by the
employees under their charge. The duties of the
supervisor include:

1. Ensuring that employees under their
supervision (including new hires) have received
appropriate training, a fit testing, and an annual medical evaluation;

2. Ensuring the availability of appropriate respirators and accessories;

3. Being aware of the tasks requiring the use of respiratory protection;

4. Enforcing the proper use of respiratory protection when necessary;

5. Ensuring that respirators are properly
cleaned, maintained, and stored according to the
Respiratory Protection Program;

6. Ensuring that respirators fit well and do not cause discomfort;

7. Continually monitoring work areas and operations
to identify respiratory hazards; and

8. Coordinating with the Program Administrator
on how to address respiratory hazards and other
concerns regarding the program.

D. Employees

Each employee has the responsibility to wear
his or her respirator when and where required
and in the manner in which they were trained.
Employees shall also:

1. Care for and maintain their respirators
as instructed and store them in a clean, sanitary location;

2. Inform their supervisor if the respirator
no longer fits well and request for a new one that fits properly; and

3. Inform their supervisor or the Program
Administrator of any respiratory hazards that
they feel are not adequately addressed in the
workplace and of any other concerns that they
have regarding the program.
SELECTION PROCEDURES

A. The Program Administrator, with input
from the ERC, shall determine the degree of
respiratory protection necessary and select
respirators based on the hazards to which
workers are exposed and in accordance with
all Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health
Division (HIOSH), State Department of Labor
and Industrial Relations, standards.

B. The Program Administrator or ERC shall
conduct a hazard evaluation for each operation,
process, or work area where airborne contaminants
may be present in routine operations or during
emergency situations. The hazard evaluation shall include:

1. The identification and development of a
list of hazardous substances used in the workplace
by an element or work process;

2. A review of work processes to determine
where potential exposures to these hazardous
substances may occur. This review shall be
conducted by surveying the workplace, reviewing
process records, and talking with employees and supervisors;

3. Exposure monitoring to quantify potential
hazardous exposures. Exposure monitoring shall be
conducted by a CIH. Services to provide monitoring
will be used when needed; and

The results of current hazard evaluation
monitoring shall be available from the Program Administrator.

C. Hazard Assessments/Evaluations

The Program Administrator shall revise and
update the hazard assessment as needed (any
work process change may potentially affect employee exposure).

1. If an employee feels that respiratory
protection is needed during a particular activity,
the employee shall report the condition(s) to his
or her supervisor and submit a Health/Safety Hazard,
HPD 460 form, via channels, to the commander of the
Professional Standards Office (PSO).

2. The Program Administrator shall evaluate
the potential hazard and arrange for assistance
from a CIH, if necessary. The Program Administrator
shall then communicate the results of that assessment
back to the employee.

3. If it is determined that respiratory
protection is necessary, all other conditions
of the Respiratory Protection Program shall be
in effect for those tasks. Additionally, the
program shall be updated accordingly.

D. National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) Certification

1. All respirators shall be certified
by the NIOSH, U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, and shall be used in accordance
with the terms of that certification.

2. All filters, cartridges, and canisters
must be labeled with the appropriate NIOSH-approval
label. The label must not be removed or defaced while it is in use.

E. Equipment Approval

1. Respirator and respirator-related equipment
selections shall be approved by the Chief of Police
via the Uniform and Equipment Committee and the
appropriate Safety and Health Committee.

2. Additionally, respiratory protection
equipment purchased with Homeland Security grant
funds shall be approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
MEDICAL EVALUATIONS

A. Employees who are required to wear
respirators must undergo a medical evaluation
by the Health Services Division, Department of
Human Resources, before being permitted to wear
a respirator on the job. Employees are not
permitted to wear respirators until a physician
has determined that they are medically able to
do so. Any employee refusing the medical
evaluation will not be allowed to work in an
area requiring respirator use.

B. The chief of the Health Services Division
has developed a medical evaluation appropriate for
the HPD Respiratory Protection Program.

C. The evaluation includes an Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-approved
medical questionnaire and may include a pulmonary
function test (PFT). The PFT shall be in compliance
with HIOSH standards. Employees shall be reevaluated
at the following intervals or sooner if recommended
by the Health Services Division or as required by
their element’s directive:

1. Age 50 years and older shall be reevaluated yearly;

2. Age 40 to 49 years shall be reevaluated every two years; and

3. Age 39 years and younger shall be reevaluated every three years.

D. The employee’s medical status as it relates
to the use of respiratory protection equipment is
reviewed during the employee’s annual physical.

E. The medical evaluation must be completed
before the respirator training, fit testing, and
use of the respiratory equipment in the workplace.

F. A copy of the written medical determination
must be kept in the employee’s medical file.

G. All employees shall be granted the
opportunity to speak with the physician about
their medical evaluation, if they so request.

H. The Program Administrator shall provide
the Health Services Division with a copy of this
program, a copy of the HIOSH Respiratory Protection
standard, and lists of hazardous substances by work area.

Additionally, the Program Administrator shall
provide the Health Services Division with the
following for each employee requiring evaluation:
the employee’s work area or job title; proposed
respirator type and weight; length of time
required to wear the respirator; expected
physical workload (light, moderate, or heavy);
potential temperature and humidity extremes;
and any additional protective clothing required.

I. Any employee required for medical
reasons to wear a positive pressure,
air-purifying respirator will be provided
with a powered air-purifying respirator.

J. After an employee has received
clearance and begins wearing a respirator,
additional medical evaluations shall be
provided under the following circumstances:

1. The employee reports signs and/or symptoms
related to their ability to use a respirator, such
as shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pains, or wheezing;

2. The Health Services Division physician
or supervisor informs the Program Administrator
that the employee needs to be reevaluated;

3. Information from this program, including
observations made during the fit testing and
program evaluation, indicates a need for reevaluation; or

4. A change occurs in workplace conditions
that may result in an increased physiological
burden on the employee.

K. A list of HPD employees currently medically
qualified to use respirators shall be maintained by
the Program Administrator.

L. All examinations and questionnaires are to
remain confidential between the employee and the physician.

FIT TESTING PROCEDURES

A. Before an employee is allowed to
use any respirator with a tight-fitting
facepiece, the employee must be fit tested
with the same make, model, style, and size
of respirator that will be used.

B. The Program Administrator or ERC shall
ensure that employees using a tight-fitting
facepiece respirator pass an appropriate QLFT or QNFT.

C. Employees shall be fit tested with the make,
model, and size of respirator that they will actually
wear. Employees shall be provided with several models
and sizes of respirators so that they may find an
optimal fit. Fit testing of PAPRs shall be conducted
in the negative pressure mode.

D. Employees who wear corrective glasses or
other personal protective equipment must be sure
that such equipment is worn in a manner that does
not interfere with the facepiece seal. The glasses
or personal protective equipment that must be worn
with the respirator shall be taken to the fit test
assessment and worn during the test.

E. Employees using tight-fitting facepiece
respirators shall be fit tested prior to the
initial use of the respirator, whenever a
different respirator facepiece (size, style,
model, or make) is used, and at least annually thereafter.

1. Additional fit tests shall be conducted
whenever an employee reports changes in the
employee’s physical condition that could affect
the respirator’s fit. The physician or other
licensed health care professional (PLHCP),
supervisor, or Program Administrator who makes
visual observations of changes in the employee’s
physical condition shall request a fit test.
Such conditions include (but are not limited to)
facial scarring, dental changes, cosmetic surgery,
or an obvious change in body weight.

2. If after passing a QLFT or QNFT,
the employee subsequently notifies the
Program Administrator, ERC, supervisor,
or PLHCP that the fit of the respirator
is unacceptable, the employee shall be
given a reasonable opportunity to select
a different respirator facepiece and is to be retested.

F. Annual Fit Test for Specialized Team Officers

All personnel on the specialized teams/elements listed
below, who are issued departmental APRs or SCBAs,
shall attend an annual fit testing session:

1. Rapid Deployment Force;

2. Mountain Bike Team;

3. Special Device Unit;

4. Scientific Investigation Section; or

5. Video Team.

The Major Events Division shall announce the schedule and specifics of these sessions in advance with an information notice. As an application of this policy’s fit testing mandate, the information notice shall have the force and effect of a directive.
RESPIRATOR USE

A. Employees shall use their
respirators under conditions specified by
this program and in accordance with the
training they receive on the use of each
particular make and model. Respirators
shall not be used in a manner for which
they are not certified by the NIOSH or by their manufacturer.

B. All employees shall conduct user
seal checks each time that they wear their
respirator according to standards set by the
HIOSH. See Attachment 3 for procedures.

C. All employees shall be permitted to
leave the work area to go to a suitable area
to maintain their respirator for the following reasons:

1. To clean their respirator if the
respirator is impeding their ability to work; and

2. To change filters or cartridges,
replace parts, or inspect the respirator
if it stops functioning as intended.
Employees should notify their supervisor before leaving the area.

D. Employees are not permitted to wear
tight-fitting facepiece respirators if they
have any condition (i.e., facial scars, facial
hair, or missing dentures) that prevents them
from achieving a good facepiece-to-face seal.
Employees are not permitted to wear headphones,
jewelry, or other articles that may interfere
with the facepiece-to-face seal.

E. Corrective glasses or goggles or other
personal protective equipment must be worn in
such a way that they do not interfere with the
facepiece-to-face seal.

F. Employees who wear corrective glasses
and are required to wear a full-face respirator
shall be provided with the respirator manufacturer’s
authorized corrective lens inserts when required
and with the approval of the ERC.

G. Employees who wear corrective contact
lenses, are required to wear a full-face
respirator, and are either restricted from
wearing contact lenses or experience problems
with contact lenses while using the respirator
shall be provided with the respirator
manufacturer’s authorized corrective lens inserts
with the approval of the ERC.

H. Emergency Procedures

Employees responding in an emergency situation
shall wear the appropriate respiratory protection
to address the most significant potential hazard
present and its form (particulate or vapor).

I. Respirator Malfunction

1. APR malfunction: For any malfunction
of an APR (e.g., breakthrough, facepiece leakage,
or improperly working valve), the respirator wearer
should inform his or her supervisor that the
respirator no longer functions as intended and
go to the designated safe area to maintain the
respirator. The supervisor must ensure that the
employee receives the needed parts to repair the
respirator or is provided with a new respirator.

2. Atmosphere-supplying respirator malfunction:
All employees wearing atmosphere-supplying respirators
shall work with a buddy. Buddies shall assist employees
who experience an SAR malfunction as follows:

a. Employees should signal to their buddy if
they have a respirator malfunction; and

b. The buddy shall don an emergency escape
respirator and aid the worker in immediately exiting the area.
CLEANING, MAINTENANCE, CHANGE SCHEDULES, AND STORAGE

A. Cleaning

1. Respirators are to be regularly cleaned
and disinfected. Respirators issued for the exclusive
use of an employee shall be cleaned as often as
necessary but at least once a day when in use.

2. Atmosphere-supplying and emergency-use
respirators are to be cleaned and disinfected after each use.

3. The following procedures are to be used
when cleaning and disinfecting respirators:

a. Disassemble respirator, removing any filters,
canisters, or cartridges;

b. Wash the facepiece and associated parts
in a mild detergent with warm water. Do not use organic solvents;

c. Rinse completely in clean, warm water;

d. Wipe the respirator with disinfectant wipes
(70 percent isopropyl alcohol) to kill germs;

e. Air dry in a clean area;

f. Reassemble the respirator and replace any defective parts; and

g. Place in a clean, dry plastic bag or other air-tight container.

4. The ERC shall ensure that an adequate
supply of appropriate cleaning and disinfecting
materials are available in the workplace. If
supplies are low, employees should contact their
supervisor who shall inform the ERC.

B. Maintenance

1. Respirators are to be properly maintained
at all times in order to ensure that they function
properly and adequately protect the employee.

a. Maintenance involves a thorough, visual
inspection for cleanliness and defects. Worn or
deteriorated parts shall be replaced prior to use.

b. No components shall be replaced or
repairs made beyond those recommended by the manufacturer.

2. Repairs to regulators or alarms of
atmosphere supplying respirators shall be
conducted by the manufacturer.

3. The manufacturer’s inspection checklist
shall be used when inspecting respirators.

4. Employees shall be permitted to leave
the work area to perform limited maintenance
on their respirator in a designated area that
is free of respiratory hazards. Situations
when this is permitted include washing their
face and respirator facepiece to prevent any
eye or skin irritation; replacing the filter,
cartridge, or canister; or if they detect vapor
or gas breakthrough or leakage in the facepiece
or any other damage to the respirator or its components.

C. Change Schedules

1. Employees wearing APRs or PAPRs with
replaceable filters for protection against dust,
smoke, and other particulates shall change the
cartridges on their respirators when they first
begin to experience difficulty breathing (resistance)
while wearing their masks or according to the
manufacturer’s recommended procedures.

2. Organic vapor cartridges shall be
changed based on workplace exposure conditions
and change schedules determined with the
assistance of a CIH or OSHA’s Respirator Logic software.

D. Storage

1. Respirators must be stored in a clean,
dry area and in accordance with the manufacturer’s
recommendations. Each employee shall clean and
inspect their APR in accordance with the provisions of this program.

2. Atmosphere-supplying respirators
shall be stored in a cabinet in an area designated
by the Program Administrator.

3. The ERC shall store the element’s supply
of respirators and respirator components in the
original manufacturer’s packaging.

E. Defective Respirators

1. Respirators that are defective or have
defective parts shall be taken out of service
immediately. If an employee discovers a defect
in a respirator during the inspection, the
employee shall bring the defect to the attention
of his or her supervisor. Supervisors shall
give all defective respirators to the ERC.
The ERC will decide whether to:

a. Temporarily take the respirator out
of service until it can be repaired;

b. Perform a simple fix on the spot (e.g., replace a head strap); or

c. Dispose of the respirator due to an irreparable problem or defect.

2. When a respirator is taken out of service
for an extended period of time, the:

a. Respirator shall be tagged out of service;

b. ERC shall notify the Program Administrator; and

c. Employee shall be given a replacement of similar make, model, and size.
AIR QUALITY

For atmosphere-supplying respirators, only
Grade D breathing air shall be used in the
cylinders. The Program Administrator and/or
the ERC shall coordinate deliveries of
compressed air with the vendor and require
the vendor to certify in writing that the
air in the cylinders meets the specifications of Grade D breathing air.

TRAINING

A. The Program Administrator and/or the
ERC shall be responsible for providing training
to respirator users and their supervisors.

B. Employees shall successfully complete
their training prior to using a respirator in the workplace.

C. Supervisors shall also successfully
complete their training prior to using a respirator
in the workplace and/or prior to supervising
employees who are required to wear respirators.

D. The training course shall include the following topics:

1. The HPD Respiratory Protection Program;

2. The HIOSH Respiratory Protection Standard;

3. Respiratory hazards encountered at the HPD and their health effects;

4. Proper selection and use of respirators;

5. Capabilities and limitations of respirators;

6. Respirator donning, doffing, and user seal checks;

7. Fit testing;

8. Emergency use procedures;

9. Maintenance and storage;

10. Medical signs and symptoms limiting the effective use of respirators; and

11. Employee and supervisor responsibilities
under the Respiratory Protection Program.

E. Employees must demonstrate their
understanding of the topics covered in the
training through hands on exercises and a written test.

F. All respirator training shall be
documented by the Program Administrator
and/or the ERC. Documentation shall
include the type, model, and size of
respirator for which each employee has
been trained and fit tested. A copy of
each employee’s training documentation
shall be forwarded to the Training Division for record keeping.

G. Employees shall be retrained annually or
sooner, if needed (e.g., employee required to use a different respirator).
VOLUNTARY RESPIRATOR USE

A. Voluntary use of respiratory protection
occurs when an employee chooses to wear a respirator
even though the use of a respirator is not required
by the department or by any HIOSH standard.

B. Voluntary use of a respirator requires
approval from the requesting employee’s supervisor,
element commander, and the Program Administrator.

C. Voluntary use of half-faced respirators
(other than filtering facepiece respirators)
requires the user to comply with the medical
evaluation, training, cleaning, maintenance,
and storage elements of this policy.

D. The cost of respirators and related
accessories for voluntary use shall be borne
by the employee. The department will provide
any necessary medical evaluation, training, and
respirator cleaning equipment.

E. The Program Administrator or ERC shall
provide all employees who voluntarily choose to
wear respirators with a copy of Attachment 4,
Voluntary Use of Respirators, which details the
requirements for voluntary use of respirators by employees.

F. The Program Administrator or ERC shall
document the training and medical evaluations
for employees voluntarily using respirators in the workplace.

PROGRAM EVALUATION

A. The Program Administrator shall
conduct periodic evaluations of the workplace
to ensure that the provisions of this program
are being implemented. The evaluations shall
include regular consultations with element
coordinators and employees who use respirators,
including their supervisors; site inspections;
air monitoring; and a review of records.

B. Problems identified shall be noted in
an inspection log and addressed by the Program
Administrator. These findings shall be reported
to the commander of the PSO. The report shall
include plans to correct deficiencies in the
respirator program and target dates for the
implementation of these corrections.

DOCUMENTATION AND RECORD KEEPING

A. A written copy of this program and
the HIOSH standard shall be kept in the
Program Administrator’s office and be made
available for all employees to review.

B. The Program Administrator and the
ERC shall maintain copies of training and
fit testing records. These records shall
be updated as new employees are trained,
as existing employees receive refresher
training, and as new fit tests are conducted.

C. The Program Administrator shall retain
the physician’s written recommendation regarding
each employee’s ability to wear a respirator.
The completed medical questionnaire and the
physician’s documented findings are confidential
and will remain at the Health Services Division.