Respiratory Protection

Georgetown University’s Respiratory Protection Program protects personnel from hazardous airborne contaminants by establishing requirements for hazard assessment, respirator selection, medical evaluation, fit testing, training, proper respirator use, and program oversight.

Respiratory protection may be required when airborne hazards cannot be adequately controlled through elimination, substitution, engineering controls, or administrative controls. EH&S determines when respiratory protection is required and selects the appropriate respirator based on the identified hazard and work activity.

Who is Covered

The program applies to Georgetown University personnel who are required to wear respiratory protection as part of their work. This may include personnel in DCM, research laboratories, Facilities Management, Environmental Services, and other operations where airborne hazards may exist.

The program also addresses voluntary respirator use when an individual chooses to wear a respirator for comfort or additional protection even though respirator use is not required for the task.

Before Using a Required Respirator

Personnel must complete all of the following before using a required respirator:

1. EH&S hazard assessment and respirator selection
2. Occupational Health medical evaluation and clearance
3. Required respiratory protection training
4. Fit testing for a tight-fitting respirator

Personnel may not perform respirator-required work until all applicable requirements are complete.

Medical Evaluation and Clearance

Personnel required to wear a respirator must obtain medical clearance through Occupational Health before fit testing or respirator use.

The medical evaluation is based on the OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire or another method approved by the evaluating physician or licensed healthcare professional. The questionnaire is assigned directly to personnel after EH&S determines that respirator use is required and initiates enrollment in the Respiratory Protection Program. It is not available as a public website form.

Occupational Health may require follow-up evaluation, testing, consultation, or additional review based on questionnaire responses, symptoms, medical history, respirator type, work conditions, or other clinical considerations.

Standard periodic medical reevaluation is completed every three years for most personnel, or more frequently when clinically indicated or required by Occupational Health.

Respirator users must stop respirator use and notify Occupational Health if they experience a medical or physical change that may affect safe respirator use or respirator fit. Examples include a new respiratory, cardiac, or neurological condition; significant weight change; facial surgery or trauma; serious illness or injury affecting cardiac or respiratory function; or a change in respirator type or protection level.

Completed medical questionnaires and clinical information are confidential. Supervisors and managers may not review completed medical questionnaires. Occupational Health provides only the appropriate written clearance determination to EH&S, supervisors, or other authorized University representatives.

If you believe your work may require respiratory protection, contact your supervisor or EH&S before beginning the task. EH&S will evaluate the potential respiratory hazard and initiate the applicable enrollment process when respiratory protection is required.

Fit Testing and Training

EH&S conducts or coordinates respirator training and fit testing. Personnel using a required tight-fitting respirator must complete training and fit testing at least annually.

A new fit test is also required when there is a change in respirator make, model, style, or size, or when physical or facial changes may affect respirator fit. Personnel using tight-fitting respirators must remain clean-shaven in any area where facial hair could interfere with the respirator seal or valve function.

Voluntary Respirator Use

Personnel who voluntarily use a filtering facepiece respirator, such as an N95, when respirator use is not required must receive the OSHA Appendix D information for voluntary respirator use.

Voluntary use of an elastomeric, half-face, full-face, or powered air-purifying respirator must be reviewed and authorized by EH&S on a case-by-case basis. Voluntary use does not authorize respirator use for a task that requires respiratory protection.

The below link is currently inactive, and will be updated shortly.

During Respirator Use

Personnel must use respirators only for approved tasks and in accordance with EH&S direction, training, manufacturer instructions, and the Respiratory Protection Program. Leave the work area and notify your supervisor if you experience breathing difficulty, dizziness, irritation, respirator malfunction, suspected filter or cartridge breakthrough, increased breathing resistance, or another condition that may affect safe respirator use.

Program Document

The below link is currently inactive, and will be updated shortly.