Available Now: 2023 Schedule of Hazmat & RCRA Training
Search

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

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

This course went above my expectations from the moment I walked in the door. The instructor led us through two days packed with useful compliance information.

Rachel Stewart

Environmental Manager

I chose Lion's online webinar because it is simple, effective, and easily accessible.

Jeremy Bost

Environmental Health & Safety Technician

I had a positive experience utilizing this educational program. It was very informative, convenient, and rewarding from a career perspective.

John Gratacos

Logistics Manager

The exercises in the DOT hazardous materials management course are especially helpful in evaluating your understanding of course information.

Morgan Bliss

Principal Industrial Hygienist

Lion is easily and consistently the best option for compliance training. I've learned new information from every instructor I've had.

Rachel Mathis

EHS Specialist

Lion was very responsive to my initial questions and the website was user friendly.

Michael Britt

Supply Chain Director

I like the consistency of Lion workshops. The materials are well put together and instructors are top notch!

Kevin Pylka

Permitting, Compliance & Environmental Manager

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

The instructor was great, explaining complex topics in terms that were easily understandable and answering questions clearly and thoroughly.

Brittany Holm

Lab Supervisor

The instructor made the class very enjoyable and catered to the needs of our group.

Sarah Baker

Planner

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Just starting out with shipping lithium batteries? Not before you can answer the four fundamental questions form this guide.

Latest Whitepaper

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.