NCJ Number
202058
Date Published
April 2002
Length
68 pages
Annotation
This report presents the recommendations of the California State Sheriffs Association Subcommittee on Detentions and Corrections concerning the use of self-contained breathing apparatus within correctional facilities in case of fire or other events that create hazardous breathing conditions.
Abstract
Recent changes in the laws governing safety under the California and Federal OSHA standards has raised concerns among correctional professionals, especially in terms of compliance and safety violations. As such, the Chairman of the California State Sheriffs Association Subcommittee on Detentions and Corrections assembled a workgroup to develop recommendations for correctional agencies to help with compliance issues regarding the use of self-contained breathing apparatus. The first section following the introduction and executive summary outlines the State and Federal requirements governing employee injury and illness prevention. The second section provides the standards of the respiratory protection program, including specific workplace procedures, the administration of the program, fit testing, and wanting systems. The third section presents an overview of the requirements for medical evaluations, which focuses on the employees’ physical ability to perform required job tasks while using the respirator. Medical factors and conditions that should be considered in order to determine an employees’ ability to effectively perform while using a respirator are outlined. The fourth section describes proper fit testing of the respirator, including the requirement for a proper fit and the method of fitting a respirator. The fifth section describes the proper maintenance and care of self-contained breathing apparatus, while the sixth section discusses the requirements for cleaning and disinfecting respirators, properly storing the equipment, and inspection and repair requirements. The report also contains a glossary of the terms; the A.B. 1127; Title 8 CCR, Section 5144; Title 15, Article 3, Section 1028; Penal Code Section 6030; Core fire and life safety training module offered by the Correction Academy; a medical questionnaire; and administrative case decisions.