9.5a Scope and Application 

This program applies to all employees who are required to wear respirators during normal work operations, and during some non-routine operations. This includes Waterfront, Public Works and Chemical Laboratory employees. Effected employees working in these areas and engaged in certain processes or tasks must be enrolled in the company's respiratory protection program. 

In addition, any employee who voluntarily wears a respirator when a respirator is not required is subject to the medical evaluation, cleaning, maintenance, and storage elements of this program, and must be provided with certain information specified in this section of the program. 

NOTE: Employees who voluntarily wear filtering face pieces (dust masks) are not subject to the medical evaluation, cleaning, storage, and maintenance provisions of this program. 

Employees participating in the respiratory protection program do so at no cost to them. The expense associated with training, medical evaluations and respiratory protection equipment will be borne by the company. 


Table 1: Voluntary and Required Respirator Use at Maine Maritime Academy


Respirator / Department/Process

Filtering face piece (dust mask) / Voluntary use only for Waterfront, Public Works and Chemical Laboratories

Half-face piece APR or PAPER   / Required during all operations (i.e., painting, fiberglass work, sanding, etc.) where the PEL is exceeded*

* if there is a possibility of a respiratory hazard and PEL is unknown respirator use is required.