If you have not taken any course at ACC, and wish to receive college credit, you must be accepted for admission to ACC by completing a new student packet available from the Student Services department on any campus. You must have a High School diploma or GED. If you don’t have either, but plan on their completion in the next six months, it is possible to get a temporary waiver. You can then enroll by telephone, online or in person at any ACC campus during the regular registration period.

ACC currently offers:

• a two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree in Auto Body Collision & Refinishing,
• a level one certificate in Auto Body Collision Repair,
• a level one certificate in Auto Body Refinishing,
• an Enhanced Skills Certificate, and
• an Occupational Skills Award.

Find out details on the home page.

Yes, the courses in the one-year certificate are the same courses required in the Associate degree and can be applied to either or both programs. However you must attain the certificate first.

Yes, if you have been admitted to ACC and have satisfied any prerequisites.

This means that that course has a prerequisite; another course must be completed before you may register for that one. Many prerequisites are satisfied by completing the (ABDR 1301 Auto Body Repair and Refinishing).

ACC does not give ASE certification, but will help anyone with test registration. All ACC Auto Body & Refinishing courses are designed to prepare the student for certification tests. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifies technicians with two years of experience, that pass one or more of the 5 different testing areas in the auto body field.

Your application for enrollment must be accepted by ACC through Admissions and Records or the Continuing Education department. Satisfy the prerequisites for the particular course and enroll in that course during the regular registration period.

Yes, you can possibly get a job without taking our courses, especially with prior experience, but auto body & refinishing technology is now complex and “high tech”. A good understanding of automotive systems theory and design is essential for successful repairs. Our courses provide basic skills for entry level placement in the auto body & refinishing field, and prepare students for certification through ASE. We provide the opportunity for more rapid advancement in the rapid changing industry.

TSI stands for Texas Success Initiative Program. It was enacted by the Texas legislature and applies to all public-supported institutions of higher education, including Austin Community College. There are a number of Test Instruments and Minimum Passing Standards that you must meet unless the program you are enrolled in is TSI-exempt.

Only the continuing education programs and the certificate programs of one year or less are TSI-exempt.

To become authorized to use a respirator at ACC, a faculty, staff or student must be approved by ESH&I. To become approved you must pass the following in this order:

1. A medical evaluation including a pulmonary function test
2. A respirator fit test
3. Training in the type(s) of respirators you will use and the situations where you will be expected to use them

Upon successfully passing the above, ESH&I will authorize you to use respiratory protection.

Anyone (faculty, staff or student) who is required to use a respirator must receive a medical evaluation to determine their ability to use a respirator prior to a fit test or using a respirator.

The medical evaluation must be conducted by a PLHCP.

The medical evaluation must include:

• The information required in Appendix C to Sec. 1910.134 of the OSHA General Industry standard
• Pulmonary function test. (Note: Failure to successfully pass this test disqualifies an individual from using a respirator)

Students are responsible for scheduling appointments with a PLHCP and managing the medical requirements outlined in this procedure.

Note: Students must present a letter from a PLHCP stating that they are physically fit and able to use a respirator.

To help ensure the safety of an individual, a successful medical evaluation is required before respirator fit testing is conducted.

Fit testing is an annual requirement and must be completed within each calendar year to maintain valid certification for respirator use. Fit testing procedures will comply with the OSHA General Industry standard Appendix A to 1910.134: Fit Testing Procedures

Students are responsible to schedule a respirator fit test by a qualified individual (instructor)

Note: It is permissible that the fit test serves as a portion of their class curriculum, but must occur and be documented by qualified individual before they use respirator protection.

Training is required prior to initial use in class and at a minimum annual thereafter.

ACC Instructors are responsible for ensuring their students have received and are current in the training requirements.

Note: At the instructors discretion student training can be incorporated into the class curriculum provided a copy of the training has first been reviewed and approved by EHS&I.

• Why a respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage or storage can compromise the protective effect of the respirator;
• Limitations and capabilities of their respirator;
• How to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including the situation where the respirator malfunctions;
• How to inspect, don and doff, use and check respirator seals;
• Procedures for respirator storage and maintenance;
• How to recognize the medical signs and symptoms that can limit or prevent effective respirator use;
• General requirements of the written program.

Retraining will occur annually and should any of the following situations arise;

• Changes in the workplace of the type of respirator used that renders the previous training obsolete;
• Noted inadequacies in the faculty or staff’s knowledge or use of their respirator indicating the faculty or staff has not retained the requisite understanding or skill, or;
• Any other situation arises where retraining appears necessary to ensure safe respirator use.

Students must provide their own respirator.

Full-face, and Half mask air purifying respirators are the preferred type of respirator to be used by ACC faculty, staff and students. (3M brand)

Note: ACC faculty, staff and students will not perform any work that requires an SCBA or a supplied air respirator. That work will be performed by contractors.

All respirator users will:

• Select and use the appropriate respiratory protection for the tasks and conditions where they are performing work.
• Inspect respiratory protection immediately prior to use
• Keep your respirator clean, sanitary and in good working order
• Maintain and store respiratory protection to ensure effective use.

EHS&I is responsible for the selection and approval of respirators based on the potential hazards to which the faculty, staff or student may be exposed and the job or tasks being performed. EHS&I will assist instructors with selecting and approval of respirators for students enrolled in classes requiring respiratory protection.

Available air-monitoring data will be used in determining appropriate respirator selection and use.

Job or task evaluation must include:

a. possible airborne contaminants and their level of toxicity
b. expected concentration levels
c. warning properties
d. skin absorption potential
e. Physical properties of the material
f. PEL or TLV for the material

• Respirators shall be used as intended by the manufacturer
• Respirator users are only to use the type of respirator on which they have been trained and fit tested;
• Respirator users must perform a positive/negative seal check each time the respirator is donned
• Respirator users are not permitted to have facial hair that interferes with the functioning of the valves of the face piece, or that extends into the seal area of the face piece prohibiting a proper seal. This includes side burns or a one day growth of beard;
• Absence of normally worn dentures, facial deformities or jewelry or head gear that projects under the face piece must be avoided;
• Regular eyeglasses cannot be worn with a full face respirator. Should a faculty or staff require corrective lenses they need to contact EHS&I
• Situations where respirator use is required will have specific work procedures developed Instructors who have class activities where respirator use is required must include written specifics and provide required information as to proper procedures through lecture and individual instructions;
• Air-purifying cartridge respirators are not to be used in oxygen deficient atmospheres where the percentage of oxygen is below 19.5%, or in atmospheres considered immediately dangerous to life and health. ACC faculty and staff are not permitted in oxygen deficient or immediately dangerous to life and health atmospheres.

Instructors are responsible for ensuring any students using respiratory protection in their classes have met the same standards outlined in this paragraph for faculty and staff.

Each time before wearing a respirator, the user must inspect all face-pieces and other respirator-related equipment as described in the respirator training classes.

The following items shall be inspected:

Face-piece

• cracks, tears or holes
• facemask distortion
• cracked or loose lens/face shield

Head straps

• breaks or tears
• broken buckle

Valves

• residue or dirt
• cracks or tears in valve material

Filters/Cartridges

• approval designation
• gaskets
• cracks or dents in housing
• proper cartridge for hazard

Note: Respirator repair shall be performed by someone qualified by the manufacturer.

To clean and sanitize respirators, use the manufacturer’s recommendations or the following procedure:

Cleaning – Use the following procedures for cleaning and disinfecting respirators:

• Disassemble respirator removing any filters, cartridges or canisters;
• Wash face-piece and associated parts in warm water using a mild detergent. DO NOT use organic solvents;
• Rinse completely in warm water;
• Wipe respirator with disinfecting wipes (70% isopropyl alcohol) to kill germs;
• Air-dry in a clean area
• Re-assemble the respirator and replace any defective parts;
• Store in clean, dry plastic bag or other air tight container.

Respirators must be correctly maintained to ensure proper functioning and adequate protection for the user. Maintenance involves a thorough visual inspection for cleanliness and defects. Deteriorated or worn parts will be replaced before using. No components will be replaced or repairs made beyond those recommended by the manufacturer.

Respirator users must store their respirator to protect it from dust, sunlight heat, extreme cold, excessive moisture, or damaging chemicals. Respirators must be stored in such a manner that there is no distortion to the elastomer portion of the face piece;

Faculty or staff may store their assigned respirator and keep it in a sealable plastic bag labeled with their name. They are responsible for keeping the respirator identified and clean; Instructors shall ensure that students manage their respirators in a similar fashion.

Faculty, staff or students may voluntarily decide to use respirators even though it is not required by ACC.

Those who voluntary wear a respirator shall be provided with the information contained in Appendix D 1910.134. (“Information for Employees Using Respirators When Not Required Under the Standard”); and

• Get a Medical Evaluation to Use a Respirator and
• Properly selection, use, inspection, cleaning, maintenance and store the respirator.

Those who decide to voluntarily use filtering facepieces (dust masks) are only required to review Appendix D of 1910.134.

EHS&I shall conduct program compliance assessments as necessary to ensure that the written respiratory protection program is being properly implemented.

EHS&I shall regularly consult faculty, staff and students required to use respirators to assess their views on program effectiveness and to identify any problems. Any problems that are identified during this assessment shall be corrected. Factors to be assessed include, but are not limited to:

• Respirator fit (including the ability to use the respirator without interfering with effective workplace performance);
• Appropriate respirator selection for the hazards to which the faculty or staff is exposed;
• Proper respirator use under the workplace conditions the faculty and staff encounters; and
• Proper respirator maintenance.

The findings and proposed corrective actions from this assessment shall report to ACC management.

EHS&I shall maintain all medical records, including physical evaluations and pulmonary function tests per ACC’s Record Retention Policy.

EHS&I will maintain data bases of all faculty and staff authorized to use a respirator. The data base will include:

• Faculty or staff name/identification
• Medical certification date
• Fit-test date
• Type of fit test (quantitative or qualitative)
• Specific make, model, style, and size of respirator fit tested
• Type of respirator faculty or staff is authorized to wear
• Fit factor if quantitative fit test is administered.
• Written copy of the respiratory protection program
• Records of completed training shall be maintained by EHS&I

Yes. Records are accessible to affected faculty or staff. Contact EHS&I.