NORTH CAROLINA AGROMEDICINE INSTITUTE Partners for Health and Safety In Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries East Carolina University & NC State University & North Carolina A & T State University

1157 VOA Site C Road
Greenville, NC 27834

agromedicine@ecu.edu
252-744-1008
A person is being fitted with a respirator mask by another individual. The mask covers the entire face, providing a secure seal and is equipped with pink filters on either side. The fitting process appears to be taking place in a professional setting, likely for safety training or health precautions.

Respiratory Protection

Individuals working in agriculture are exposed to many different respiratory hazards – dust, chemicals, animal dander, microorganisms, organic matter, mold, diesel fumes and more.

As a result, respiratory disease is the leading illness among farmers. Let us help you protect your respiratory health and comply with respiratory protection regulations.

The Respiratory Protection Program is made possible with support from the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission and the North Carolina Pesticide Environmental Trust Fund.

Respiratory Protection logo

Logo designed by InTandem, Inc.

Compliance

To understand the necessary steps to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Worker Protection Standard (WPS), consult the Respiratory Protection Compliance Checklist for North Carolina [PDF].

Unsure if your establishment is subject to the WPS?
For a detailed overview, visit the EPA’s Agricultural Worker Protection Standard page.

For specific WPS respiratory protection requirements, view the WPS Respiratory Protection Requirements document [PDF].

To access the filtering facepiece and respirator cartridge change schedule, refer to the Respirator Change-Out Schedule document [PDF].

For an example of a Change Log, download the Respirator Cartridge or Filtering Facepiece Change Log example [PDF].

To learn about compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s (OSHA) Respiratory Standard, visit the OSHA Respiratory Standard overview page.

Not sure if you’re subject to OSHA regulations? For more information, explore the OSHA New Businesses Fact Sheet [PDF], or contact the NC Department of Labor’s Agricultural Safety and Health Bureau or call 1-800-625-2267.

If your operation requires respirators, you will need to develop a written Respiratory Protection Plan for Required Use, available for download as a Required Use Respirator Program Template [PDF]. If respirators are used voluntarily by employees, develop a written Respiratory Protection Program for Voluntary Use, accessible as a Voluntary Use Respirator Program Template [PDF].

Inventory

Before initiating the medical clearance and respirator fit test process, it is essential to identify the type of respiratory protection required for the tasks to be performed by you, your workers, and/or family members.

For tasks involving pesticides, this information can typically be found in the “Hazardous Statements: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Section” of the product label, usually located on page 1 or 2.

To select appropriate respiratory protection for other agricultural exposures, review guidelines for selecting agricultural respiratory protection.

If you are still uncertain about the type of respirator and/or cartridges required, refer to the Know Your Respirators Card [PDF] for detailed information or contact us at 252-744-1008 for personalized assistance. Utilizing a PPE Inventory Sheet will help you manage, track, and reorder the necessary types of PPE for your operations.

Medical Clearance

Medical clearance is required prior to completing a respirator fit test by the US EPA for individuals subject to Risk Mitigation Measures for Soil Fumigants and the Worker Protection Protection Standard [PDF] and by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration when respirators are required by agricultural operations having more than 10 full-time employees. Although medical clearance is not required for other respirator use in agriculture, it is highly recommended.

On-line training for healthcare providers on how to complete a respirator medical evaluation can be found at ASHCE: Respirator Medical Evaluation (gahec.org) .

Respirator Fit Test

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) require that a respirator fit test is completed prior to using a respirator and then once annually. If more than one type of respirator will be used, a fit test must be completed for each type of respirator. To avoid having to have multiple respirators and multiple fit tests, select the respirator that will provide the highest level of protection needed.

Respirator fit tests may be qualitative or quantitative. An example of an individual fit test record can be found in the Individual Respirator Fit Test Record [PDF]. An example of a group fit test record can be found in the Group Respirator Fit Test Record [PDF]. Instructions on how to make a respirator fit test pocket card can be found in the Respirator Fit Test Wallet Card Template Instructions [PDF].

The Institute is happy to conduct respirator fit tests for you, to help you identify a local provider or teach you how to conduct qualitative fit tests yourself. If you are already conducting qualitative fit tests or plan to, please review the Guidance for Qualitative Fit Test Hygiene during COVID-19 [PDF].

For more information, give us a call at 252-744-1008.

Providers

The Institute is happy to provide medical clearance, respirator fit tests, and training for you. For more information, give us a call at 252-744-1008. For a comprehensive list of other providers across North Carolina and adjoining states, refer to the Provider List [PDF].

Purchasing Respirators

Respirators should not be purchased until after an individual has successfully completed the medical clearance and respirator fit test. To be in compliance with EPA and OSHA, the respirator purchased must match the one listed on the individual’s respirator fit test card (i.e., manufacturer, model number, and size). Respirators may be acquired using the Institute’s cost-share program (see details below) or through direct purchase from a personal protective equipment vendor. For a list of potential vendors, see the Personal Protective Equipment Vendors List [PDF].

Cost Share Program

Thanks to the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services – Pesticide Environmental Trust Fund, farms and nurseries are eligible for a 50/50 cost share to help comply with the respiratory protection requirements imposed by the EPA’s Worker Protection Standard. Cost share may be accessed immediately when you purchase respirators or cartridges (North or 3M) at an event hosted by the Institute or by direct shipment. To learn more about the cost share program, contact the Institute at 252-744-1008 or Robin Tutor Marcom at tutorr@ecu.edu.

Training, Cleaning & Storage

EPA requires that any individual using a respirator be trained in their native language prior to using a respirator. For more information on required training components, review the Training, Cleaning, and Storage Guidelines and a sample training documentation form, access the Respirator Training Documentation Form [PDF].