According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard 1910.134, if a respirator is necessary for job performance, then departments are required to have a respiratory protection program in place.
Respirator Clearance (OSHA 1910.134)
From a medical standpoint, all respirator-wearing personnel shall have a medical evaluation, provided by the department, to determine the employee’s ability to use a respirator. This medical evaluation should occur prior to the employee being allowed to wear a respirator. A respirator clearance only clears the employee to wear a respirator and the general type of respirator they can use. It does not medically clear a firefighter for duty.
For a medical clearance, click here.
Respirator Fit Test (OSHA 1910.134(f) and 1910.134(f)(2)
Once cleared for respirator use, the firefighter is required to have a respirator fit test. This fit test is required annually or whenever there is a change in the facepiece or there is any visual observation of changes in the employee’s physical condition that could affect respirator fit. Public Safety Medical utilizes a Portacount machine for a quantitative mask fit.
Please click here if you’d like to speak with a Public Safety Medical representative about respirator clearances.
