Get Osha Respirator Medical Form

Answer: The respiratory protection standard requires an initial medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace. ... There is not a specific annual requirement for medical evaluations in the standard.

A written respirator program, including medical evaluation, is required for the voluntary use of any respirator except filtering facepiece respirators. An N95 respirator often used by healthcare personnel is an example of a filtering facepiece respirator.

A respirator medical evaluation is a health assessment that determines if an employee is medically fit to wear a respirator on the job.

Employees must use respirators while effective engineering controls, if they are feasible, are being installed. If engineering controls are not feasible, employers must provide respirators and employees must wear them when necessary to protect their health.

There is not a specific annual requirement for medical evaluations in the standard. However, the physician or other licensed healthcare provider (PLHCP) may prescribe annual tests to ensure employees' continued ability to wear a respirator.

How frequently does the medical evaluation have to be completed? Medical evaluation is required once, prior to initial fit testing and use, if you are required to use a respirator in your workplace.

The OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire is designed to identify general medical conditions that could place a worker at risk of serious medical consequences, if a respirator is used. The medical questionnaire must be administered in a manner that ensures that you understand its content.

Why do employees need respirators? When employees must work in environments with insufficient oxygen or where harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, fumes, gases, vapors, or sprays are present, they need respirators. These health hazards may cause cancer, lung impairment, other diseases, or death.

Respirators protect workers against insufficient oxygen environments, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays. ... Compliance with the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard could avert hundreds of deaths and thousands of illnesses annually.