Respiratory Protection Engineering controls, rather than the routine use of respirators, should be the primary allergen control technique. However, if ventilation controls are inadequate or not feasible, a respirator may be helpful. Environmental Health and Safety, Laboratory Animal Services and or Occupational Health Services may make wearing a respirator a requirement of certain procedures.
Non-symptomatic personnel who are not required to wear a respirator, but who wish to wear one voluntarily while in animal areas to prevent exposure to potential allergens should be accommodated wherever possible. Persons wearing a respirator are required to be medically cleared, trained, and fit-tested as part of an overall respiratory protection program. Traditional half face respirators require medical clearance as well as fit-testing to ensure a tight seal around the wearer's face. Powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) may be more comfortable in certain situations than traditional half-face respirators or N95 disposable respirators. The PAPR units use a battery to draw air through a filter into the wearer's breathing zone. Medical clearance is also required for these units. Regulations require medical clearance and annual training of all respirator-wearers and fit testing of non-PAPR units annually. Regulations also require that medical clearance must be provided to respirator-wearers when changes in personal health or physical changes have occurred.
NEXT
