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Respiratory Protection Compliance Assistance
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On January 1, 2008, new regulations concerning the use of respiratory protection while handling pesticides will come into effect (Title 3 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 6739). Most changes are better definitions and explanations of a required respiratory protection program, removing some of the confusion and ambiguity found in the old regulations. A few completely new requirements have been added (medical evaluation, program evaluation, cartridge service life), but if you presently have an acceptable respiratory protection program, the impact of the changes should be minimal.
Respiratory Protection Regulations
- Title 3, California Code of Regulations, Section 6739. (PDF, 83 kb) Text of respiratory protection regulation and associated regulations.
Compliance Assistance
- Respiratory Protection Program Guidelines. (PDF, 99 kb), (MS Word, 115 kb) (Spanish, 159 kb) This DPR publication (HS-1513) provides compliance assistance for developing a written program (as required under Section 6739(a)(2)). Use of HS-1513 will save time in developing a program from scratch and can help in complying with the new regulations.
- Medical Evaluation Questionnaire [Title 3, California Code of Regulations, Sections 6739(q) and 6739(r)] English (PDF, 30 kb) and Spanish (PDF, 37 kb).
- Respirator Regulation Handout. (PDF, 29 kb) Developed by the Napa County Agricultural Commissioner's office. A quick and accessible synopsis of the regulation.
- Voluntary Respiratory Provisions. (PDF, 52 kb) This Q&A document should answer most questions about this part of the new respiratory protection regulations.
Recommended Reading
- The Small Entity Compliance Guide. (PDF, 700 kb) This U.S. Dept. of Labor publication will assist the administrator in managing a respiratory protection program.
- Respiratory Protection in the Workplace, A Practical Guide for Small-Business Employers. (PDF, 1.4 Mb) Developed and prepared by the California Department of Industrial Relations.
For content questions contact:
Harvard Fong
Email: hfong@cdpr.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 445-4211
1001 I Street, P.O. Box 4015, Sacramento, California 95812-4015