ISO TS 16975-1-2016 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO TS 16975-1-2016 — Respiratory protective devices — Selection, use and maintenance — Part 1: Establishing and implementing a respiratory protective device programme. This technical specification provides detailed guidance for organisations and persons responsible for establishing, managing and maintaining an effective respiratory protective device (RPD) programme so that selected devices meet applicable performance requirements.

Abstract

ISO/TS 16975-1:2016 specifies detailed information to assist those responsible for establishing and implementing an RPD programme. It covers programme elements such as roles and responsibilities, risk assessment and selection procedures, medical assessment and fit testing, training, use, maintenance, storage, record keeping and programme review. The document excludes RPD used exclusively under water, RPD for aircraft use, and medical life‑support respirators and resuscitators. The guidance can be used to support preparation of national or local regulations but does not override them. WARNING: incorrect selection, use or maintenance of RPD can result in injury, illness or death.

General information

• Status: Published (Technical Specification)
• Publication date: June 2016 (Edition 1, 2016)
• Publisher: ISO — International Organization for Standardization
• ICS / categories: 13.340.30 (Respiratory protective devices)
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2016)
• Number of pages: 74

Scope

Provides detailed guidance to assist persons responsible for establishing and implementing a comprehensive respiratory protective device programme for occupational use. The specification addresses the elements required to ensure that RPD are selected, fitted, used, maintained and managed correctly in order to provide the anticipated level of protection. It does not apply to programmes for RPD used exclusively under water, for use in aircraft, or to medical life‑support respirators and resuscitators. The guidance is informative and intended to support — but not replace — any applicable national or local regulations.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of RPD programme elements and establishment of roles and responsibilities (employer, programme administrator, competent persons, wearer).
• Risk assessment process for identifying respiratory hazards and determining need for RPD.
• Selection procedures, including flow‑chart approach, adequacy and suitability assessments, and use of assigned protection factors (APF).
• Medical assessment and criteria relevant to respirator use.
• Fit testing requirements and procedures to ensure a proper facepiece seal.
• Training and competency requirements for wearers and programme staff (pre‑use checks, correct donning/doffing, limitations of use).
• Operational use considerations (pre‑use checks, filter change schedules, work‑rate and task considerations).
• Maintenance, cleaning, inspection, storage and service life management of RPD.
• Compressed-air quality and breathing gas considerations for supplied‑air systems (informative guidance).
• Programme record keeping, documentation, periodic review and continuous improvement.
• Informative annexes with templates, example forms and additional guidance (hazard assessment templates, suitability guidance, maintenance examples).

Typical use and users

Intended for employers, safety and occupational health professionals, hygiene specialists, RPD programme administrators, competent persons responsible for selection/fit testing/training, procurement teams, PPE suppliers and regulators. Typical applications are workplace respiratory protection programmes across industry sectors where inhalation hazards exist and organisations need to document and implement a formal RPD programme (excluding specialised underwater, aircraft or medical life‑support applications).

Related standards

Commonly used alongside other standards in the respiratory protection series and testing/performance documents, including ISO 16972 (terms and definitions), ISO 16900 series (test methods, e.g. inward leakage), ISO/TS 16975-2 (condensed guidance), ISO 16975-3 (fit testing procedures), and the ISO 17420 series on performance requirements for RPD (thread connections and performance parts).

Keywords

respiratory protective devices; RPD; respiratory protection programme; RPE; selection; fit testing; assigned protection factor (APF); hazard assessment; training; maintenance; storage; record keeping; PPE; ISO 16975.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/TS 16975-1:2016 is a Technical Specification giving detailed guidance for establishing and implementing respiratory protective device programmes to ensure RPD selection and use meet relevant performance standards.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers RPD programme elements including roles and responsibilities, risk assessment, selection procedures (adequacy/suitability), medical assessment, fit testing, training, correct use, maintenance, storage, record keeping and programme review. It includes informative annexes with templates and examples.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Employers, occupational health and safety professionals, hygienists, RPD programme administrators, competent persons who perform fit testing and training, procurement teams, PPE suppliers and regulators seeking guidance for workplace respiratory protection programmes.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO/TS 16975-1:2016 was published in June 2016 and, following ISO review processes, was confirmed as the current version at its last formal review. Users should verify the current status with the standards body or their national standards organization before relying on it for compliance or regulatory decisions.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. ISO 16975 is a multi‑part set: Part 1 provides detailed guidance (this document), Part 2 gives condensed guidance for programme establishment, and Part 3 covers fit testing procedures. The series is intended to be used together with ISO 16972 (terms and definitions) and relevant ISO test/performance standards.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include respiratory protective devices, RPD, respiratory protection programme, fit testing, assigned protection factor (APF), hazard assessment, training, maintenance, selection, and PPE.