DAOD 5021-1, Respiratory Protection

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Abbreviations
  3. Definitions
  4. Overview
  5. Responsibilities
  6. References

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2007-06-08

Application: This DAOD is a directive that applies to employees of the Department of National Defence (DND employees) and an order that applies to officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF members).

Supersession: CFAO 34-53, DND Respiratory Protection Program

Approval Authority: Chief of Military Personnel (CMP)

Enquiries:

2. Abbreviations

Abbreviation Complete Word or Phrase
CBA compressed breathing air
CBRN chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear
CFFM Canadian Forces Fire Marshal
CFHS P&G Canadian Forces Health Services Policy and Guidance
CLC Canada Labour Code
CMP Chief of Military Personnel
CO commanding officer
COHSR Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
DFHP Director Force Health Protection
DGHS Director General Health Services
DGLEPM Director General Land Equipment Program Management
DGNS Director General Nuclear Safety
DJCP Director Joint Capability Production
D Safe G Director General Safety
HC Health Canada
IDLH immediately dangerous to life or health
LCMM life cycle material manager
NDHQ National Defence Headquarters
NJC National Joint Council
NSOD Nuclear Safety Orders and Directives
OSH Occupational Safety and Health
RPD respiratory protection device
RPP Respiratory Protection Program
RPPA Respiratory Protection Program Administrator
TBS Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
VCDS Vice Chief of the Defence Staff

3. Definitions

In this DAOD … has or have the same meaning as in …
  • air purifying respirator (respirateur à épuration d'air)
  • compressed breathing air system (installation d'air comprimé respirable)
  • engineering control measures (mesures techniques de réduction)
  • hazardous atmospheres (atmosphères dangereuses)
  • IDLH atmosphere (atmosphère présentant un danger immédiat pour la vie ou la santé) and
  • supervisor (superviseur )
C-87-040-000/MS-001, DND Respiratory Protection Program.

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4. Overview

General

4.1 This DAOD shall be read in conjunction with:

  1. CFAO 34-23, Occupational Health;
  2. C-87-040-000/MS-001, DND Respiratory Protection Program; and
  3. B-GJ-005-311/FP-020, CF Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence Tactics, Techniques and Procedures.

4.2 The DND RPP was established in accordance with the respiratory protection requirements of:

  1. Part II of the CLC;
  2. the COHSR; and
  3. TBS OSH policies, directives and standards.

4.3 The DND RPP provides the framework upon which NDHQ groups, commands, bases, wings and units formulate and implement their own specific RPPs.

Application of the Part II of the CLC

4.4 Part II of the CLC applies to the following persons, and to CAF members who have direct management or supervisory responsibilities over these persons:

  1. DND employees; and
  2. other persons in or on a defence establishment who are not CAF members.

Compliance with the General Safety Program

4.5 Unless a departure from the General Safety Program is authorized by a base/wing commander or unit CO in accordance with the Departure from General Safety Program block, all DND employees and CAF members shall comply with the General Safety Program, which encompasses all the requirements of:

  1. Part II of the CLC;
  2. the COHSR; and
  3. TBS OSH policies, directives and standards.

Aim

4.6 The aim of this DAOD is to protect the health of DND employees, CAF members and other persons in or on any defence establishment who work in hazardous or IDLH atmospheres and to establish a system to protect them when engineering control measures are:

  1. not practicable in the circumstances;
  2. not yet instituted; or
  3. shutdown for maintenance, repair or emergency.

Scope

4.7 This DAOD is not applicable to:

  1. respiratory protection against naturally occurring infectious agents (the Surgeon General/DFHP provides guidance in this area);
  2. CAF diving equipment, including CBA, gases, compressors and storage systems utilized for CAF diving purposes, which are subject to programs managed by D Dive Safety and the LCMM for diving systems;
  3. aircraft oxygen systems; or
  4. medical inhalators or resuscitators.

Role of the NJC, TBS and HC

4.8 The government as the employer, and public service bargaining agents, work together through the NJC to resolve employment-related problems and establish terms of employment that apply across the public service.

4.9 In consultation with the NJC, TBS promulgates OSH directives that amplify the COHSR. These directives form part of each Public Service collective agreement. TBS has delegated authority for the administration of the Public Service Health Program to HC.

4.10 The roles and responsibilities of HC are outlined in TBS OSH directives.

Departure from the General Safety Program

4.11 A base/wing commander or unit CO may depart from the General Safety Program as it applies to the respiratory protection of CAF members only if a requirement places a serious limitation on the capability to fulfill an operational or training commitment and the following action is taken:

If … then the base/wing commander or unit CO shall …
a base/wing commander or unit CO is considering a departure from the General Safety Program,
  • employ recognized risk management practices to determine an appropriate course of action.
a base/wing commander or unit CO authorizes a departure from the General Safety Program,
  • be prepared to justify the decision.
a departure from the General Safety Program would be of a continuing nature,
  • consult with their medical and safety advisors; and
  • seek approval from the VCDS through the chain of command.

4.12 A base/wing commander or unit CO shall not depart from the General Safety Program as it applies to the respiratory protection of DND employees or other persons in or on a defence establishment who are not CAF members.

Departure from the Nuclear Safety Program

4.13 Prior to taking any decision that would be a departure from DAOD 4002-0, Nuclear Technology Regulation and Control, DAOD 4002-1, Nuclear and Ionizing Radiation Safety or the NSOD, a base/wing commander or unit CO shall seek the approval of DGNS in accordance with applicable provisions in the NSOD.

Exposure Standards for CAF Members

4.14 In certain specific military operational scenarios and environments, the characteristics of the population of CAF members, the nature, duration and types of hazardous exposures, and the relative balance of health risks may differ significantly from those relevant to general Canadian workplace settings and for which national and General Safety Program standards are derived. In such circumstances, the Surgeon General may recommend the application of different exposure standards that are more appropriate to the health protection of CAF members.

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5. Responsibilities

Responsibility Table

5.1 General responsibilities for functions associated with the implementation of the DND RPP are identified in C-87-040-000/MS-001, Part 1, Program and Responsibilities, Annex B. For further clarification, contact the CFFM.

5.2 The following table identifies the responsibilities associated with the implementation of this DAOD:

The … is or are responsible for …
Level 1 Advisors
  • ensuring that NDHQ groups, commands, bases, wings and units in their area of responsibility have active RPPs; and
  • ensuring that policies and directions are followed in accordance with:
    • this DAOD;
    • B-GJ-005-311/FP-020, CF Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence Tactics, Techniques and Procedures;
    • B-GJ-005-311/FP-040, CF Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence Equipment;
    • C-87-040-000/MS-001, DND Respiratory Protection Program; and
    • NSOD.
DGHS
  • developing and promulgating the overall policy upon which NDHQ group, command, base, wing and unit RPPs are formulated and implemented.
DGNS
  • approving directives and standards relating to respiratory protection from ionizing radiation sources;
  • approving requests from a base/wing commander or unit CO to depart from nuclear and ionizing radiation orders and directives; and
  • verifying the compliance of DND/CAF users with this DAOD and NSOD requirements for the radiological and nuclear RPP.
DGLEPM
  • acting as LCMM for RPDs and permanently installed CBA systems; and
  • repairing and maintaining permanently installed CBA systems.
Surgeon General
  • providing guidance on the health aspects of respiratory protection and all aspects of respiratory protection against naturally occurring infectious agents; and
  • recommending exposure standards for CAF members.
D Safe G
  • promulgating all TBS OSH directives and standards related to respiratory protection; and
  • verifying that policies and directions are followed in accordance with this DAOD and the General Safety Program.
CFFM
  • developing, coordinating, promulgating and administrating the DND RPP;
  • providing guidance to NDHQ groups, commands, bases, wings and units on the formulation and implementation of their RPPs;
  • providing training to RPPAs to ensure compliance with C-87-040-000/MS-001 DND Respiratory Protection Program; and
  • performing their functions as outlined in C-87-040-000/MS-001, Part I, Program and Responsibilities.
DJCP 5
  • developing, coordinating and promulgating RPP standards for CBRN environments;
  • providing CBRN guidance to NDHQ groups, commands, bases, wings and units; and
  • managing all aspects of the selection, use, care, maintenance and fitting of the C4 gas mask and C7A canister used by CAF members for CBRN environments.
senior medical officers
  • assessing hazardous (including IDLH) atmospheres at the NDHQ group, command, base, wing and unit levels;
  • determining the level of respiratory protection required according to the hazards identified; and
  • performing their functions as outlined in CFHS P&G 4499-01 and C-87-040-000/MS-001, Part I, Program and Responsibilities.
base/wing commanders and unit COs
  • appointing an RPPA; and
  • developing and implementing RPPs at the base, wing and unit level.
RPPA (CFFM)
  • monitoring the proper use of respirators; and
  • performing their functions as outlined in C-87-040-000/ MS-001, Part I, Program and Responsibilities.
supervisors
  • performing their functions as outlined in C-87-040-000/ MS-001, Part I, Program and Responsibilities.
respirator users
  • using and maintaining respirators in accordance with training received; and
  • performing their functions as outlined in C-87-040-000/ MS-001, Part I, Program and Responsibilities.

6. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

Other References

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