FAQs & related news
frequently asked questionsWhat is a respirator?A respirator is a protective facepiece, hood or helmet that is designed to protect the wearer against a variety of harmful airborne agents. Click here to learn about the differences between certified respirators and surgical masks.
When is the use of respirators required?OSHA's respirator standard, 29 CFR 1910.134, requires the use of respirators to protect employees from breathing contaminated and/or oxygen-deficient air when effective engineering controls are not feasible, or while they are being instituted. Several other OSHA regulations also require the use of respirators.
Can any respirator be used?No, respirators shall be selected on the basis of hazards to which the worker is exposed (i.e., particulates, vapors, oxygen-deficiency, or combination). Also, OSHA requires the use of certified respirators.
Who certifies respirators?The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Why is a formal respirator program needed?A respirator program increases the chances of using a respirator correctly. A respirator will only protect if it is used correctly. Also, OSHA requires a number of written elements for all respiratory protection programs.
Who is in charge of the respirator program?The program must be administered by a trained program administrator who is qualified and knowledgeable in respiratory protection to run all aspects of the program.
What do employees need to know about the respirator program?Employers must establish and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures and elements for required respirator use. The provisions of the program include procedures for selection, medical evaluation, fit testing, training, use and care of respirators.
How is the proper respirator size determined?Proper respirator size is determined through a fit test. Employees using negative or positive pressure tight-fitting facepiece respirators must pass an appropriate fit test using the procedures detailed in OSHA's respirator standard.
When would the fit of a respirator be unacceptable?A respirator may be unacceptable if it causes irritation or pain to the employee, if the employee is unable to wear the respirator for the time required due to discomfort, or if the employee is unable to maintain proper seal.
When is respirator fit testing required?Fit testing of all negative or positive pressure tight-fitting facepiece respirators is required prior to initial use, whenever a different respirator facepiece is used, and at least annually thereafter. An additional fit test is required whenever there are changes in the user's physical condition that could affect respirator fit (e.g., facial scarring, dental changes, cosmetic surgery, or an obvious change in body weight). The employer must be fit tested with the same make, model, style, and size of respirator that will be used.
How frequently should the written respiratory protection program be updated?The standard require that employers revise the program as necessary to reflect changes in the workplace or in respirator use. The written program shall be updated whenever the change occurs. Changes would include different respirator choices, changes in fit-testing, and work operations that change.
Must employees see a doctor before they use a respirator?The employer must provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace. Not all workers must be examined by a doctor. A physician or other licensed health care professional must perform the medical evaluation using the medical questionnaire contained in Appendix C of 29 CFR 1910.134 or an initial medical examination that obtains the same information.
What maintenance and care is required for respirators?The employer must provide for the cleaning and disinfecting, storage, inspection, and repair of respirators used by employees according to the procedures in 29 CFR 1910.134.
How long can a particulate respirator be used before it must be discarded?Respirators with replaceable filters are reusable, and a respirator classified as disposable may be reused by the same worker as long as it functions properly. All filters must be replaced whenever they are damaged, soiled, or causing noticeably increased breathing resistance (e.g., causing discomfort to the wearer). Before each use, the outside of the filter material should be inspected. If the filter material is physically damaged or soiled, the filter should be changed (in the case of respirators with replaceable filters) or the respirator discarded (in the case of disposable respirators). Always follow the respirator filter manufacturer's service-time-limit recommendations.
Employers must develop standard operating procedures for storing, reusing, and disposing of respirators that have been designated as disposable and for disposing of replaceable filter elements. What is the proper way to store a respirator that is used routinely?Respirators must be stored to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals. They must also be packed or stored to prevent deformation of the facepiece and exhalation valve. A good method is to place them in individual storage bins. Keep in mind that respirator facepieces will become distorted and the straps will lose their elasticity if hung on a peg for a long time. Check for these problems before each use.
Storing the respirator in a plastic sealable bag after use is not considered a good practice. The respirator may be damp after use and sealing prevents drying and encourages microbial growth. If plastic bags are used, respirators must be allowed to dry before storage. Is training required before a respirator is used?Yes, training must be provided to employees who are required to use respirators. The training must be comprehensive, understandable, and recur annually, and more often if necessary. This training should include at a minimum:
If employees have a beard or moustache, is their respirator still effective?Tight-fitting facepiece respirators must not be worn by employees who have facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interferes with valve function. Respirators that do not rely on a tight face seal, such as hoods or helmets, may be used by bearded individuals.
Can employees wear glasses while wearing a respirator?Yes, but if an employee wears corrective glasses or goggles or other personal protective equipment, the employer must ensure that such equipment is worn in a manner that does not interfere with the seal of the facepiece to the face of the user. Kits are available from all respirator manufacturers that allow the mounting of prescription lenses inside the respirator. Contact lenses can be worn with any type of respirator, but their use is not recommended in dusty atmospheres while wearing a half-mask facepiece.
How often should the effectiveness of the respiratory protection program be evaluated?OSHA does not have a required interval for program evaluation. The DPH Respiratory Protection Task Force may establish best practices around QA/QI and program evaluation if necessary.
referencesOSHA FAQ Page
CDC: Frequently Asked Questions for Guidance on Personal Protective Equipment to Be Used by Healthcare Workers During Management of Patients with Confirmed Ebola or Persons Under Investigation (PUI) for Ebola Who are Clinically Unstable or have Bleeding, Vomiting or Diarrhea in U.S. Hospitals, Including Procedures for Donning and Doffing
Relevant news & literatureHHS Funds Development of High-Speed Manufacturing for N95 Respirators: Manufacturing line could offer more than 10 times current capacity for pandemic preparedness
|