Respiratory Protection Committee

The Respiratory Protection Committee has as its purpose to provide a forum for exchanging ideas and information on control of exposure to toxic and irritating substances and oxygen-deficient atmospheres through the use of respiratory protection.

• Committee Operating Guidelines 
• Annual Report  
• Business Plan  
• Committee Organization Chart 
• RPC Project Form
• RPC Sample Project Form
• Project Teams/Committee Assignments 
• Minutes
  • April 2008 
  • October 2007 
  • June 2007 
  • May 2007 
• John M. White Award for Research in the Respiratory Protection Arena
• Respirator Performance Terms 
• Respirator Program Administrator Competencies 
• Respiratory Protection Newsletter
  • Spring 2008 
  • Winter 2008
  • Spring 2007
• Roster

Mission Statement

To provide a forum for exchanging ideas and information on control of exposure to toxic and irritating substances and oxygen-deficient atmospheres through the use of respiratory protection.

Goals and Objectives

Goals: Assemble, evaluate, and disseminate relevant information to occupational and environmental health professionals on respiratory protection devices and the management of respiratory protection programs.

Objective #1: Discuss and act upon respiratory protection issues.

Strategies:

• Designate specific members to track and report on identified issues.
• Respond to AIHA Board requests to address specific issues.
• Meet at the AIHCE and at other times as appropriate.
• Prepare relevant information for publication.
• Solicit papers; organize sessions; and provide session arrangers, chairs, and monitors for the AIHCE.
• Provide technical review of respirator recommendations and practices by other AIHA committees.

Objective #2: Provide education and training on respiratory protection.

Strategies:

• Present an annual basic PDC, solicit or develop new PDCs, and keep existing PDCs up-to-date.
• Recommend additions and changes to continuing education courses.
• Sponsor or develop short courses and seminars.

Goal: Actively participate in identifying and responding to respiratory protection device and respiratory protection management issues.

Objective #3: Identify, evaluate, and comment on proposed legislation, regulations, and guidelines affecting the use of respiratory protection.

Strategies:

• Monitor and report on relevant activities by rule-making organizations.
• Participate in the development of guidelines by organizations such as ANSI and NIOSH.
• Develop and recommend positions to the AIHA Board.

Following is a summary of recent and planned activities of the AIHA Respiratory Protection Committee. For additional information, contact the chair.

• Professional Development Courses (PDCs) and Other Educational Activities
• Annual Conference (AIHCE) Technical Sessions (TS) Completed and Planned
• Other Activities
  • Provides support for AIHA Public Relations efforts.
  • Participates in AIHA task forces related to government affairs efforts (e.g., author and/or coordinate AIHA comment on OSHA and NIOSH respiratory protection regulatory initiatives).
  • A respiratory protection road course is under development.
  • Provides stories for the AIHA Synergist.
  • Sponsored two workshops, one with NIOSH cosponsorship, to explore technical and scientific issues related to respiratory protection (Respirator Filter Selection, Assigned Protection Factors and assistance to NIOSH in developing a Users Guide for Respirators under 42 CFR part 84). One, possibly two, similar workshops, are under discussion for 1996-97.
  • Provided an article to the AIHA Journal.
  • Participates in the ANSI Z88 committee.