OSHA issues temporary enforcement guidance for respiratory standard
OSHA has issued temporary guidance to its inspectors for enforcing initial and annual fit-testing requirements of the respiratory protection standard.
It applies only to fit-testing of NIOSH-approved tight-fitting powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) used by healthcare personnel or other workers performing job tasks with high or very high occupational exposure risk to COVID-19.
OSHA says it will, on a case-by-case basis, exercise enforcement discretion when considering issuing citations under §1910.134(d) and (f) in cases where the employer has made an effort to protect personnel against COVID-19 by:
- Providing NIOSH-approved tight-fitting PAPRs using a high efficiency (HE) particulate cartridge or filter, when initial and/or annual fit-testing is infeasible due to shortages of N95, N99, N100, R95, R99, R100, P95, P99, and P100 respirators and/or fit-testing supplies;
- Monitoring fit-testing supplies and making good faith efforts to obtain them;
- Implementing engineering controls, work practices, and/or administrative controls that reduce the need for respiratory protection; and
- Maintaining a fully-compliant respiratory protection program, other than fit-testing requirements, including ensuring:
- personnel are informed of new policies and trained on new procedures;
- employees receive required medical evaluations;
- batteries and filters for PAPRs provide positive pressure throughout the entire shift or procedure; and
- employees wearing tight-fitting PAPRs maintain neatly trimmed facial hair that does not compromise the seal of the respirator or interfere with valve function.
The guidance takes effect immediately and will remain in effect until further notice. It is intended to be time-limited to the current public health crisis.