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SWC HealthWorks
and Respiratory Protection
SWC HealthWorks
can travel to your work site and perform all of your medical evaluations
for respirator use. These evaluations include an employee questionnaire and review
along with blood pressure testing, pulmonary function testing and a physical exam, if needed.
We can also train employees concerning respirator selection
and fit.
OSHA mandated that the new respiratory protection plan needed to be complied with by October of 1998.
Need some assistance? Get in touch with us today.
Respiratory
Protection
New
standards for respiratory protection have been implemented by OSHA and
were effective on April 8, 1998. These new standards have replaced the
respiratory protection standards adopted by OSHA in 1971. The new standard
supersedes and replaces respiratory protection requirements in all current
OSHA standards except for tuberculosis. The new standard requires companies
to establish a program to protect all workers who utilize respirators
on the job. Some of the requirements of this standard are:
- Medical evaluation
of all employees who utilize respirators, regardless of prior length
of wear
- Employee training
with respirators
- Respirator selection
and fit
- Respirator cleaning
and repair
- Specific procedures
for the work site and respirator use
- Respirator program
administration
A medical
evaluation is required prior to initial test fitting of a respirator. All
employees regardless of length of wear of a respirator, must be evaluated.
Once the employee has been initially evaluated, subsequent evaluation is
not mandated by OSHA.
Fit Testing
Proper fit testing of full or half-face masks
is pivotal to prevent exposure to airborne
contaminants, biological agents, and physical hazards. SWC HealthWorks provides quantitative, or computerized, fit testing. This
is an objective test with a print-out so that you can be assured your workforce is fully protected. At the time of fit-testing the following important
issues are covered with each employee:
- How to put the mask on
- How to check the mask for cracks and leaks
- How often to change filters
- How to put the filter on correctly
- Positive and negative pressure check
- When to request a new mask
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