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Respiratory Protection Program

Report Information

Date Issued
Report Number
2021-17298
Report Type
Inspection / Evaluation
Description
Due to the risk of employee exposure to toxic vapors, gases, dust, or oxygen deficiency, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) performed an evaluation of TVA’s Respiratory Protection Program at nonnuclear facilities. The objective of this evaluation was to determine if selected respiratory protection procedures were being performed at nonnuclear facilities.The OIG determined some respiratory protection procedures were not being performed as required. Specifically, we determined some (1) requirements were not being met for training, fit tests, facepiece seal protection, and respirator storage and (2) employees were delinquent on medical evaluation requirements.
Joint Report
Yes
Participating OIG
Tennessee Valley Authority OIG
Agency Wide
Yes (agency-wide)
Questioned Costs
$0
Funds for Better Use
$0
View report on Oversight.gov

Recommendations

We recommend the Senior Vice President, Power Operations, identify employees who have not completed required training or fit tests and take steps to expedite training and fit test completion for those employees.

We recommend the Senior Vice President, Power Operations, improve oversight to prevent employee training, fit test, and medical evaluation delinquencies.

We recommend the Senior Vice President, Power Operations, complete a review of respirators assigned to employees and ensure these respirators match the make, model, and size in their most recent annual fit test.

We recommend the Senior Vice President, Power Operations, enforce facial hair requirements for employees approved for respirator use or provide loose-fitting hoods to accommodate employees with facial hair.

We recommend the Senior Vice President, Power Operations, perform a review of all areas where employees store respirators to verify proper storage, provide lockers or containers for proper storage where none exist, and reinforce proper storage procedures to employees.