Enterprise HealthRespiratory Protection Standard
OSHA's standard requiring a written program, medical evaluation and fit testing before employees use respirators.
Key facts
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 governing respirator use at work.
- Requires a medical clearance evaluation before a respirator is worn.
- Requires fit testing initially and at least annually.
What it means
Under 29 CFR 1910.134, before an employee can wear a respirator the employer must run a respiratory-protection program that includes a medical clearance evaluation (often the OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire) and annual fit testing. Scheduling the evaluation, capturing the clearance, and tracking fit-test expirations are classic medical-surveillance tasks.
Frequently asked
What must happen before an employee wears a respirator?
The employer must run a respiratory-protection program that includes a medical evaluation clearing the worker, followed by fit testing. Only then can the employee use the respirator.
How often is respirator fit testing required?
At least annually, and again whenever the respirator model or the worker's condition changes. Tracking clearance status and fit-test expirations is a recurring surveillance task.
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