Pandemic Raises Respiratory Protection Awareness

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OSHA issued a guidance document alerting healthcare facilities to ensure that all personnel are properly trained in using respiratory protection. “Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers” encourages healthcare employers to establish a comprehensive respiratory protection program that includes all of the elements specified in the Respiratory Protection Standard, 29 CFR 1910.134.

Although the document does is not a required standard, OSHA can cite employers under the General Duty Clause if a lack of attention to healthcare workers’ exposure to pandemic influenza is found, according to a recent report by experts at OSHAMedCert (www.medcert.com). The General Duty Clause requires that employers provide a workplace that is free from deadly hazards that the employer has recognized.

OSHAMedCert explains that healthcare facilities have an opportunity now to take steps that will be difficult to organize once a pandemic is in full swing.

1. Evaluate respirator availability. OSHA’s standard requires the use of NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) certified respirators, which may be scarce once a pandemic takes hold.

2. Ensure that employees are be medically evaluated and approved to wear a respirator.

3. Fit test employees so they are wearing an appropriate respirator.

4. Train employees to use respirators.

View the complete report from OSHAMedCert at http://www.oshamedcert.com/docs/RespiratoryProtection.pdf.

FAC