Do loose-fitting respirators such as PAPRs require medical evaluation/clearance?

Fit testing is not required for a PAPR, in which the hood or helmet is designed to form only a partial seal with the wearer’s face, or the hood seals loosely around the wearer’s neck or shoulders, but medical evaluations are required for employees.

The requirement for fit testing is specific to tight-fitting respirators is found in 29 CFR 1910.134(f) and therefore is not required for loose-fitting like the PAPR.

Paragraph 1910.134(f) This paragraph requires that, before an employee may be required to use any respirator with a negative or positive pressure tight-fitting facepiece, the employee must be fit tested with the same make, model, style, and size of respirator that will be used. This paragraph specifies the kinds of fit tests allowed, the procedures for conducting them, and how the results of the fit tests must be used.

However, medical evaluations are still required by 1910.134(e) for almost all respirator use. The only exception to the medical evaluation is for voluntary use of respirators as referenced in 1910.134(c)(2)(i) and 1910.134 Appendix D. This includes both tight and loose-fitting respirators.