From July 1, 1983, through June 30, 1984, the National
Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received 35 reports of
problems with respirators* (Table 4). Investigations of each
report
revealed that 21 (60%) of the problems involved self-contained
breathing apparatus; nine of these were classified as causing or
likely to cause immediate death or illness of or injury to the
user.
A report of one investigation follows.
On July 15, 1983, a manufacturer of compressed-gas cylinders
notified NIOSH of reported cracks in some of its cylinders. These
cylinders were used in various breathing apparatus that had been
approved by NIOSH and the Mine Safety and Health Administration
(MSHA), U.S. Department of Labor, in their joint program for
respirator approval. Company officials indicated that one of the
cracked cylinders had ruptured; at least one other cracked cylinder
was later reported to have ruptured. Since all defective cylinders
were discovered in storage or during maintenance, no adverse
effects
occurred to workers; however, the defects were classified as
potentially life-threatening.
Several respirators, previously approved by NIOSH, incorporated
the potentially defective cylinders produced by the company. All
manufacturers of these respirators were contacted, and although
each
stocked this company's cylinders, only two had sold units
containing
cylinders with serial numbers specified by the company.
Approximately
7,000 cylinders were potentially defective, and about 2,000 of
these
were estimated to be in the hands of users. On July 21, 1983,
NIOSH
issued a Warning to Users, describing the problem, identifying the
serial numbers, and recommending that the potentially defective
cylinders be emptied and not used. The U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT), which regulates the interstate shipment of
compressed-gas cylinders, then issued a notice to recall the
cylinders. After further ruptures occurred, DOT, in February 1984,
reduced the allowable pressure for these cylinders from 4,500 to
4,000
pounds per square inch. NIOSH issued a Notice to Users on February
29, 1984, advising owners of more than 75,000 cylinders
manufactured
by this company of this requirement for reduced pressure and of the
reduced service time that results from the required reduction in
pressure. No further ruptures have occurred in cylinders with
reduced
pressure, and as cracked cylinders are found during the ongoing
schedule of physical examinations, they are removed from service.
Reported by Certification Br, Div of Safety Research, National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC.
Editorial Note
Editorial Note: The joint NIOSH/MSHA program for approving
respirators is mandated by the Mine Safety and Health Amendments
Act
of 1977. It is conducted in accordance with requirements published
in
the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 30, Part 11. The
Occupational
Safety and Health Administration and several other federal
regulatory
agencies require the use of NIOSH/MSHA-approved respirators
wherever
such devices are needed to protect workers.
NIOSH receives reports of problems identified in approved
respirators from respirator users and from investigations carried
out
by manufacturers. Problems include deficiencies in the design and
performance of respirators and difficulties with their use. NIOSH
classifies reported problems according to their potential for
causing
adverse health effects. Problems classified "A" have resulted in
or
are likely to result in immediate death or illness of or injury to
the
user. Those classified "B" may result in future illness of the
user.
Those classified "C" will probably lead to a worker either
rejecting
or refusing to wear a respirator. Problems classified "D" have no
apparent immediate or future effect on the health and safety of the
user. NIOSH notifies the respirator manufacturer of the reported
problems and requests an investigation and corrective action, if
needed. This information is also used in research to improve the
design and performance of respirators. NIOSH may request that
defective respirators be recalled, retrofitted, or replaced. Sale
of
the respirator as a NIOSH/MSHA-approved apparatus may also be
stopped. When necessary, users of respirators are alerted to
deficiencies or difficulties that could affect their health and
safety. If the manufacturer cannot identify and notify purchasers
of
the defective respirators, NIOSH issues a warning to more than
9,000
users of respirators and other interested persons.
Users of NIOSH/MSHA-approved respirators who find defects in or
notice inadequate performance of approved respirators are asked to
report these findings to: Respirator Problem Coordinator,
Certification Branch, Division of Safety Research, NIOSH, 944
Chestnut
Ridge Road, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505; phone: (304) 291-4595
or
FTS 923-4595.
*Any device designed to provide the wearer with respiratory
protection
against inhalation of a hazardous atmosphere.
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