>Can anyone tell me for sure if HEPA dust masks respirators (the kind that resembles a regular dust mask/doctors mask) require a full respiratory program, ie. medical evaluation and fit testing? From: "Harrington, Rachel"Date: February 24, 2009 3:11:39 PM EST Subject: RE: [DCHAS-L] dust masks If the mask has a NIOSH number on it then it is a respirator and requires a program. For situations where you can prove that the respirator is not needed (you will need air monitoring data for this) and folks are wearing them for peace of mind (for lack of a better explanation) then you can implement the voluntary program allowed under the standard which reduces employer obligations considerably. === From: Date: February 24, 2009 3:14:22 PM EST Subject: RE: dust masks Depends on if it is voluntary use or non-voluntary (required, spelled out in an SOP, etc.) Voluntary use does not - where non-voluntary use would put you into the program. I have attached an excerpt from the OSHA standard interpretation and provided a link below: Non-voluntary use of a filtering facepiece (dust mask/disposable paper type dust respirator) requires that the employer establish and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite- specific procedures. The respiratory protection program must include the medical evaluation of employees. (Note: This would include fit testing) - http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETA TIONS&p_id=22623 Best Regards, Brian M. Spears, CIH, CSP, CHMM Associate Industrial Hygiene Specialist Safe Work IS Our Job Dow Corning Corporation 4770 Highway 42 East Carrollton, KY 41008 office: (502) 732-2726 mobile: (502) 682-8593 === From: Kent Candee Date: February 24, 2009 3:43:35 PM EST Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] dust masks Suzanne: The question to ask, are they being used voluntary or because of exposure limit exceedance or business entity is requiring their use. The latter two would require medical evaluation and fit testing along with all other respiratory protection program requirements. A good document to use to answer such a question is OSHA's Compliance Instruction document, CPL 02-00-120, Inspection procedures for the Respiratory Protection Standard dated 09/25/1998. If you need more information, you can email me directly. Kent A. Kent A. Candee, CIH Assistant Secretary Environmental Health Services Manager Home Office Risk Improvement EMC Insurance Companies Ph: 515-345-2728 Cell: 515-321-5874 Fax: 515-345-2220 www.emcinsurance.com Count on EMC for Loss Control Services
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