Respirator health surveillance

Health Surveillance. Any employee assigned to a task that requires the use of a respirator must receive a health examination to determine that Ihe person is physically able to perform under such conditions (see Ref 83). Additionally, evaluations must be made periodically to determine that medical conditions affecting the safe use of respirators have not changed (see Ref 83). 

The standard presents OSHA s determination that exposure to cotton dust presents a significant health hazard to employees and establishes permissible exposure limits for selected processes in the cotton industry and for non-textile industries where there is exposure to cotton dust. The cotton dust standard also provides for employee exposure monitoring, engineering controls and work practices, respirators, employee training, medical surveillance, signs and record keeping. 

All respirators other than some of the hood-type PAPRs require a respirator fit test. All persons wearing a respirator should attend a medical surveillance program to quality them to wear the device. In some Instances, this will necessitate a physical examination and pulmonary function tests. An annual fit test and medical examination Is required. Many health care facilities elect to use the hood-type PAPR because It requires no fit test and It allows greater mobility and excellent visibility without a substantial workload (Figure 1.11). 

Your employer is required to offer you the opportunity to participate in a medical surveillance program if you are exposed to MC at concentrations at or above the action level (12.5 ppm 8-hour TWA) for more than 30 days a year or at concentrations exceeding the PELs (25 ppm 8-hour TWA or 125 ppm 15-minute STEL) for more than 10 days a year. If you are exposed to MC at concentrations over either of the PELs, your employer will also be required to have a physician or other licensed health care professional ensure that you are able to wear the respirator that you are assigned. Your employer must provide all medical examinations relating to your MC exposure at a reasonable time and place and at no cost to you. 

Describe the medical surveillance program. The purpose of medical surveillance is to determine if an individual can be exposed to Cr(VI) at his or her workplace without experiencing adverse health effects to identify Cr(VI)-related adverse health effects when they do occur so that appropriate intervention measures can be taken and to determine a worker s fitness to use personal protective equipment such as respirators. All medical examinations and procedures required by the standards must be performed by or under the supervision of a physician or other licensed healthcare professional (PLHCP). When medical surveillance is required it must be provided at no... 

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