Ask the expert: What must a respiratory protection plan include?
Q: If we must initiate a respiratory protection plan for workers wearing respirators, what must it include?
A: According to OSHA’s respiratory protection standard 1910.134, the plan must include the following elements:
- Designation of a program administrator
- Respirator selection
- Medical evaluations
- Fit testing
- User seal checks
- Maintenance and care of respirators
- Cleaning and disinfection
- Storage of respirators
- Training and information
For details on how these requirements apply to healthcare settings see “Cramming for swine flu respiratory protection plan 101.”
Detailed information is also available to Medical Environment Update and OSHA Watch subscribers in the respiratory and pandemic influenza plans in their respective OSHA safety manuals.
Finally, the Respiratory Safety for Healthcare Workers video is a good way to train staff members on respirator safety while meeting OSHA requirements for the standard. A clip from the video is available on the Video Library page.
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David LaHoda
David LaHoda, the managing editor of Medical Environment Update and OSHA Watch, has produced healthcare training videos and consulted for medical practices and ambulatory healthcare facilities.
David has written 196 posts.
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