The OSHA emphasizes that the respiratory assessment medical questionnaire must be completed, submitted, and approved prior to respiratory compatibility testing. The MEQ is used to determine if the use of a respirator may adversely affect the user, so it is important to obtain respiratory clearance before wearing the respirator, including for a compatibility check process.

Respirator Clearance for Voluntary Respirator Use

Respiratory clearance is required when an employee uses a respirator at work, even if its use is voluntary. The only exception to this rule is when an employee wears a disposable filter respirator.

Review of Respirator Clearance

The MEQ must be evaluated by a PLHCP physician or other licensed healthcare professional designated by OSHA as a health care provider licensed to practice medicine independently in their state. Because state medical councils control who can practice medicine independently in each state, the level of licensing required varies depending on state regulations.

Is Respirator Clearance Required Annually?

There is no validity period or time limit associated with Respirator Authorization unless specifically stated and managed by PLHCP. OSHA stressed that in the event of changes in the employee’s work environment, job description, respirator use, or significant changes in health, the employee should obtain an updated Respirator Authorization. Due to the personal nature of health changes, most employers do not rely on their own workforce to report significant changes in health on their own.

Obtain Respirator Clearance

The OSHA respirator clearance process requires that it be done during working hours and that the process be paid for by the employer. The need to minimize long distances from work and the costs associated with authorizing a respirator are major contributors to the proliferation of online solutions.

Verdict

Although the hood-type PAPR is not firmly installed and does not require compliance testing, respirator cleaning is still required if the employer requires the use of PAPR. PFTs are not part of the respiratory protection standard and instead belong to different substance standards.