Respirator Program
Many workplace situations involve toxic substances for which engineering controls may be inadequate to control exposures. Respirators are used in these situations as a back-up method of protection. There are two major classes of respirators: 1. air-purifying to remove contaminants from the air, and 2. atmosphere-supplying to provide clean, breathable air from an uncontaminated source.
Business Health has trained staff to provide the Medical Evaluations and Respirator Fit Testing in compliance with OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.134. OSHA respirator standard requires that employers establish and maintain an effective respiratory program and that employees are responsible for wearing the respirator and complying with the program. This article reviews the major requirements of OSHA's standard on respiratory protection, as revised in 1998.
Business Health has developed easy to follow recommendations based on the requirements outlined by OSHA.
Suggested Guidelines for Medical Clearance of Respirator Users Test
| TEST |
REQUIRED |
RECOMMENDED |
| Questionnaire |
Annually (Reviewed by Medical Personnel) |
Annually |
| Fit Testing |
At least annually by a Certified Fit Tester |
Annually and if significant weight change or change in facial contours |
| Physical |
If answers yes to any questions 1-8, at Physician discretion or if trouble with respirator |
Baseline and per regulation |
| PFT |
At Physician discretion |
Baseline and every two years for smokers; five years for nonsmokers or if respiratory symptoms |
| Chest X-Ray |
At Physician discretion |
Baseline then every five years for smokers, others if symptoms |
| Other tests |
At Physician discretion |
As indicated by history or exam |
In 2011, OSHA published the revised version of the Respiratory Protection Standard, 29 CFR 1910 and 1926. The revision was intended to simplify the requirements for employers administering their respirator programs. As part of this law, medical screening was streamlined. At Business Health, we have reviewed the standard to compile this summary of the law requirements and our recommendations concerning the Mandatory Questionnaire, Physicals, Pulmonary Function Testing, Fit Testing, Chest x-rays and other screening.