Respiratory Protection - 29CFR Part 1910.134
Respirators are used by American workers as a means of protection against a multitude of respiratory hazards. It is critical that respirators perform as they are designed to protect employees from adverse health effects. On April 8, 1998 OSHA’s new respirator standard came into effect. It clarifies, updates, and strengthens the prior standard of 1971. It applies to general industry, construction, shipyards, marine terminals, and long shoring operations. Engineering controls to effect the work environment are to be a primary method of elimating risk to employees, but when these are insufficient to provide safe breathing, a respiratory protection plan must be in place. Employers are required to have a written program with worksite-specific procedures and elements for required respirator use. A program administrator is to be designated and the program shall be updated as necessary.

Medical Component
Medical evaluation to determine whether an employee is able to use a given respirator in a given situation is necessary to prevent injuries, illnesses, and even, in rare cases, death from the physiological burden imposed by respirator use. Regardless of the duration or frequency of respirator use, the employer must select a Physician or other licensed health care professional to conduct a medical evaluation. This evaluation consists of either a medical questionnaire or a medical examination. Pertinent positive responses on the questionairre, a request by an employee, or an observed problem using a respirator trigger the need for medical examination. Initial medical evaluation must be conducted prior to fit testing to identify those employees who have medical conditions that could worsen with even the limited amount of respirator use associated with fit testing.

Respirator Exams are Available Online! CLICK HERE to access the exams.

Additional medical evaluations must be provided when:

• The employee reports signs or symptoms relevant to their ability to use a respirator
• A supervisor or program administrator believe an employee needs to be reevaluated
• Information from the program including observation, etc., indicates a need for reevaluation
• A change in workplace conditions occurs that may result in a substantial increase in the physiological burden that respirator use places on the employee

When not mandated by law, an employer may provide respirators at the request of employees or permit employees to use their own respirators. Except when these are only dust masks, the employer must still establish and implement certain elements of a written respiratory protection program - improper respirator use itself may present a hazard.

OSHA Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Revised Respiratory Protection Standard
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