NowCare Health

Occupational Health Services

Respiratory Protection

Primary objective of a respiratory protection program is to prevent atmospheric contamination. To the extent possible, this should be accomplished by using acceptable engineering control measures. When effective engineering controls are not feasible, or while they are being instituted, appropriate respirators should be used. A respiratory protection program should include:

Written Respirator Program [section (c)]
Hazard Assessment [section (d)]
Select Type of Protection [section (d)]
Voluntary Respirator Use [section (c)(2)]
Filtering Face Piece [section (c)(2)(ii)]
Traditional Face Piece [section (c)(2)(ii)]
Medical Evaluation [section (e)]
Fit Testing [section (f)]
Training [section (k)]
Respirator Use [section (g)]
Cleaning / Maintenance [section (h)]
Program Evaluation [section (l)]
Record Keeping [section (m)]

OSHA Requirements:

The OSHA Respiratory Protection Regulations, 29 CFR Part 1910.134 applies to General Industry (part 1910), Shipyards (part 1915 , Marine Terminals ( part 1917), Longshoring ( part 1918 ) and Construction (part 1926). This act is intended to control those occupational diseases caused by breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mist, gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors. When engineering controls are not feasible, appropriate respirators shall be used. When used, the employee must be 1.) medically cleared to wear the respirator; and 2.) issued a NIOSH approved respirator that fits sufficiently to effectively reduce the number of harmful contaminates that may infiltrate the seal of the mask.

Medical Requirements:

PLHCP (Physician or Licensed Health Care Provider ) must perform medical evaluations using a medical questionnaire or an initial medical evaluation that obtains the same information as the medical questionnaire. A follow up medical exam must be done on employees who give a positive response to questions 1 - 8 in Section 2 Part A of the questionnaire or whose initial medical exam demonstrates the need for a follow up medical exam. The follow up medical exam shall include any medical tests, consultations, or diagnostic procedures that the PLHCP deems necessary.

Medical Determination:

In determining employee's ability to use a respirator, the employer shall obtain a written recommendation regarding the employee's ability to use the respirator from the PLHCP. The recommendation shall provide only the following information: 1.0 Any limitations on respiratory use related to the medical condition of the employee or relating to the workplace conditions in which the respirator will be used, including whether or not the employee is medically able to use the respirator; 2.) The need, if any, for follow up medical evaluation; and 3) A statement that the PLHCP has provided the employee with a copy of the PLHCP's written recommendation.

If the respirator is a negative pressure respirator and the PLHCP finds a medical condition that may place the employee's health at increased risk if the respirator is used, the employer shall provide a PAPR (powered air purifying respirator). If a subsequent pressure respirator, then the employer is no longer require to provide a PAPR

Additional Medical Evaluations

Must be done as a minimum when 1.) An employee reports medical signs or symptoms that are related to their ability to use the respirator; 2.) A PLHCP, supervisor, or the respirator program administrator informs the employer that an employee needs to be reevaluated; 3.) Information from the respiratory protection program, including observations made during fit testing, indicates a need for reevaluated; and 4.) A change occurs in workplace conditions (e.g. physical work effort, protective clothing, temperature) that may result in a substantial increase in the physiological burden placed on the employee.