Before assigning employees to tasks that require the use of respirators, employers must first have determined the individual's physical ability to perform his work while wearing this protective equipment.

On April 8, 1998, OSHA’s new respirators standard (29 CFR 1910.134) took effect. The new standard includes the implementation of a mandatory medical questionnaire, or a medical examination that obtains the same information as the questionnaire. Additional medical evaluation may be necessary when:

-An employee reports signs or symptoms that are related to their ability to wear a respirator -the physicians who reviews the medical questionnaire informs the employer that the employee needs further medical evaluation in order to determine respirator clearance -information from the respiratory protection program (observations made during fit testing and program evaluation) indicates need for employee re-evaluation

There is a change in workplace conditions (physical work effort, protective clothing, temperature) that may result in substantial increase in the physiological burden placed on the employee

MOST Health Services Inc. follows OSHA’s new standard, and also offers more comprehensive medical examinations as described in the guidelines recommended by ANSI Z 88.6, the American Industrial Hygiene Association, and the American Academy of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. These recommended guidelines identify responsibilities of the physician in determining the employee’s ability to use a respirator.

Respiratory Medical Clearance
Respiratory Fit testing
Quantitative Fit testing
Qualitative Fit testing