A respiratory compliance program is a comprehensive set of measures and practices implemented by organizations to help ensure the respiratory health and safety of employees who are exposed to hazardous airborne substances or environments. The goal of the program is to support research, production, academic, industrial, and other types of facilities in complying with relevant regulations and standards, such as those set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States, and to mitigate the risks associated with respiratory hazards in the workplace.

An effective respiratory compliance program helps prevent respiratory illnesses and injuries by identifying and assessing respiratory hazards, implementing engineering controls to help minimize exposure, providing appropriate respiratory protection equipment (RPE), and educating and training employees on the proper use and maintenance of respiratory protective devices.

Key components typically include:

Hazard assessment: Identification and evaluation of respiratory hazards in the workplace, such as airborne contaminants, oxygen-deficient atmospheres, or high levels of particulate matter.

Engineering controls: Implementation of engineering solutions, such as ventilation systems, isolation or containment of hazardous substances, or substitution of hazardous materials to help minimize or eliminate respiratory hazards.

Administrative controls: Establishing administrative measures such as work practices, procedures, and policies to reduce exposure to respiratory hazards. These measures can include proper handling and storage of hazardous substances, regular maintenance of equipment, and appropriate training of staff on safe work practices.

Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE): Provision of appropriate respiratory protective devices, such as respirators or masks, to employees exposed to respiratory hazards, along with training on their correct use, fitting, maintenance, and limitations.

Medical evaluations: Evaluation of employees' medical fitness to wear RPE through pre-employment and periodic medical assessments, including respiratory function testing, to help ensure their ability to use respirators safely.

Training and education: Comprehensive training programs to educate employees about respiratory hazards, the proper use and limitations of RPE, and the importance of early detection and reporting of respiratory issues.

Recordkeeping: Maintenance of records related to respiratory hazard assessments, RPE selection and use, medical evaluations, training sessions, and any other relevant information required for compliance and program evaluation purposes.

By implementing a respiratory compliance program, organizations can effectively reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses and injuries, promote a safe and healthy work environment, and protect the wellbeing of their employees.