Required evaluations for respirator use
Respirators can make breathing difficult, and some health issues such as heart conditions or lung disease could prevent an employee from using a respirator safely. Employees must therefore undergo a medical evaluation before using a respirator (and even before they can be fit-tested to find an appropriately-sized respirator).
An employer must select a physician or other licensed healthcare professional (PLHCP) to perform the medical evaluation. Employers may either use a questionnaire provided by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), or may have the PLHCP perform an exam that obtains the same information.
Note that employers cannot look at employee responses to the questionnaire. That medical information is confidential, and the employer (or a supervisor) shouldn’t even ask employees how they responded. The worker sends the questionnaire directly to the PLHCP.
Exams and approval
In some cases, the PLHCP can approve an employee to use a respirator based on the questionnaire, without any medical exams or tests. Depending on the answers, however, the employee may need a medical exam. If so, the PLHCP determines what tests are needed to approve the employee’s use of a respirator on the job.
The PLHCP will also determine the frequency of any future evaluations or examinations. Although OSHA does not require annual evaluations, follow-up exams may be needed. For instance, if an employee is a smoker, the PLHCP may require annual exams.
The employer must allow the employee to discuss the questionnaire and exam results with the PLHCP. In addition, the employer must provide the PLHCP with certain information, such as the type of respirator to be worn, as well as the duration and frequency of use.
If some employees do not qualify to wear negative pressure respirators, they may still be able to use powered air-purifying respirators. If so, the employer must provide that type of respirator. However, if an employee cannot wear any type of respirator, the employer cannot assign that employee to a position that requires wearing one.