New OSHA Memo on COVID-19 and N95 Respirators

Posted on 3/17/2020 by Roger Marks

Fearing a possible supply shortage of N95 filtering facepiece respirators due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the US, OSHA issued temporary enforcement guidance related to the Respiratory Protection Standard at 29 CFR 1910.134.

In the memo, issued March 14, OSHA orders its field officers to “exercise enforcement discretion concerning annual fit testing requirement for respirators” found at 29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2). Enforcement personnel will apply discretion in situations in which respirators are needed to protect health care provider employees.

OSHA’s intention is to ensure that, if healthcare providers are facing a shortage of N95 masks, the masks that are available will be used in situations where they are needed to protect healthcare personnel from COVID-19.

OSHA Field Officers will exercise enforcement discretion as long as the employer makes a good faith effort to comply with 29 CFR 1910.134 and satisfies a list of other requirements.

Initial fit testing requirements still apply, as do requirements for maintenance, care, and annual employee training under the Respiratory Protection standard. 29 CFR 1910.134(k) requires training for employees who are required to wear respirators. Annual re-training is required and the training “must be comprehensive” and “understandable.”

Healthcare employer should review CDC’s guidance Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators.

CDC has also created a Hospital Preparedness checklist to help providers prepare for the arrival of patients with COVID-19.

Read the full Enforcement Guidance Memo here.

Read more from Lion: Online training

Medical Clearance for Respirator Use
OSHA Rules for Hazards in Healthcare

OSHA Respiratory Protection Training

Lion’s Respiratory Protection Online Course can help health care providers and other employers meet the annual training requirement for employees who wear respirators. This safety training is available in English and Spanish.

Browse our full catalog of online safety training courses to protect employees and prevent injury and illness that cost US businesses $1 billion per week.

Tags: N95, osha, respirator

Find a Post

Search for:

Compliance Topics

Compliance Archives

Lion provided an excellent introduction to environmental regulations, making the transition to a new career as an EHS specialist less daunting of a task. Drinking from a fire hose when the flow of water is lessened, is much more enjoyable!

Stephanie Weathers

SHE Specialist

I was recently offered an opportunity to take my training through another company, but I politely declined. I only attend Lion Technology workshops.

Stephanie Gilliam

Material Production/Logistics Manager

I think LION does an excellent job of any training they do. Materials provided are very useful to my day-to-day work activities.

Pamela Embody

EHS Specialist

Very witty instructor, made the long times sitting bearable. One of the few training courses I can say I actually enjoyed.

John Hutchinson

Senior EHS Engineer

This was the 1st instructor that has made the topic actually enjoyable and easy to follow and understand. Far better than the "other" training providers our company has attended!

Lori Hardy

Process & Resource Administrator

Best instructor ever! I was going to take my DOT training w/a different provider, but based on this presentation, I will also be doing my DOT training w/Lion!

Donna Moot

Hazardous Waste Professional

The course is well thought out and organized in a way that leads to a clearer understanding of the total training.

David Baily

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Lion courses always set the bar for content, reference, and practical application. Membership and access to the experts is an added bonus.

John Brown, CSP

Director of Safety & Env Affairs

Lion's information is very thorough and accurate. Presenter was very good.

Melissa Little

Regulatory Manager

The instructor had knowledge of regulations and understanding of real-world situations. The presentation style was engaging and fostered a positive atmosphere for information sharing.

Linda Arlen

Safety & Environmental Compliance Officer

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Shipping papers are a crucial part of safely shipping hazardous materials. See the top 5 mistakes shippers make on shipping papers, and how to avoid them.

Download

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.