Who is responsible for training safety petty officers and damage control petty officers regarding respirators?

The appropriate authority for training safety petty officers and damage control petty officers regarding respirators is the Gas Free Engineering officer. This is because the Gas Free Engineering officer is specifically tasked with ensuring that personnel are educated on the use of respiratory equipment in environments that may contain hazardous or toxic atmospheres. Their expertise includes understanding the proper procedures for respiratory protection and the operation of equipment, as well as ensuring compliance with safety regulations.

While safety officers may oversee general safety for the command and could have a role in related training, the Gas Free Engineering officer has specialized knowledge in respiratory protection and training specific to the use of respirators in dangerous environments. The Commanding Officer has overall responsibility for the safety and welfare of the crew, but delegating the specific training to a knowledgeable officer such as the Gas Free Engineering officer is crucial for effective and proper safety instruction. The Medical officer provides health-related expertise but may not have the focused training on respirators necessary for this specific task.