That is generally true - the respirator wearer must be medically approved to wear before being fit tested. But the approval can be through questionnaire and, if necessary, follow-up discussion with the medical professional. That generally covers all but a small fraction of those who have a need to use a respirator in the course of their employment. Going this route rarely results in a need for spirometry.
Peter Zavon, CIH
Penfield, NY
PZAVON**At_Symbol_Here**Rochester.rr.com
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU> On Behalf Of Monona Rossol
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2020 6:25 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Seeking Advice on Respirator Fitness Qualification
Well that's depressing. I was informed that a fit tester is not allowed to test someone without certification. So until I see otherwise in some letter of interpretation or hear it from someone who is still in what's left of OSHA, I'll demur. Monona
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Buczynski <mabuczynski**At_Symbol_Here**HOTMAIL.COM>
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU
Sent: Mon, Aug 10, 2020 5:37 pm
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Seeking Advice on Respirator Fitness Qualification
I am a former OSHA Industrial Hygienist CO. I will tell you to have them fit tested. The spirometer can be validated later in view of the currently. Crisis. The most important thing for now is that they are properly fit tested (passed)
All of our employees who are required to use respirators have had physicals (including spirometry) to ensure that they are physically able to use an Air Purifying Respirator (APR) and SCBA. Once they pass the physical, they are fit tested and trained on the proper use and care of the respiratory equipment.
We scheduled appoints with our occupational safety and health provider and were told that they are not allowed to conduct spirometry evaluations at this time due to COVID restrictions.
Have any members of the group experienced this and if so, how were they able to certify employees for respirator use in the absence of spirometry?
BTW, we are located in Massachusetts.
Senior Director - Process Technology | Technip Energies
P +1 781 340 2901 | M +1 617 620 7120
56 Woodrock Road | E. Weymouth, MA | 02189
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We did some testing here at the university some years ago with lab coats and t-butyl lithium following the referenced tragedy.
The most striking comparison was a 65-35 polyester /cotton blend which gave a very energetic flame spread vs
100% cotton, Nomex, or other treated fabrics.
I would certainly want to stay away from synthetic fabric masks for lab use.
Ken Kretchman, CIH, CSP Director, Environmental Health and Safety
NC State University / Box 8007 / 2620 Wolf Village Way / Raleigh North Carolina 27695-8007
If you are working with phosphoric you need serious fire resistant PPE. Also limited amount of flammable material in hood area as well as in the cabinet under the hood.
Remember the Sherry Sanji tragedy.
For those organic synthesis research labs, is your EHS department recommending fire-resistant face masks? Or 100% cotton?
Margaret A. Rakas, Ph.D.
Lab Safety & Compliance Director
Clark Science Center
413-585-3877 (p)
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