OSHA has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to add two quantitative fit-testing protocols to the agency’s Respiratory Protection Standard. The proposed protocols are variations of the existing OSHA-accepted PortaCount® protocol, differing from it by the exercise sets, exercise duration and sampling sequence. The protocols would apply to employers in the general, shipyard and construction industries.

Appendix A of the standard contains mandatory respirator fit-testing methods that employers must use to ensure their employees’ respirators fit properly and protect the wearer. The standard also allows individuals to submit new fit-test protocols for OSHA approval. TSI Incorporated submitted an application for new protocols for full-facepiece and half-mask elastomeric respirators, and filtering facepiece respirators.

This proposed rulemaking would allow employers greater flexibility in choosing fit-testing methods for employees. It would not require an employer to update or replace current fit-testing methods, as long as the fit-testing method(s) currently in use meet existing standards. The proposal also would not impose additional costs on any private- or public-sector entity.

OSHA invites the public to comment on the accuracy and reliability of the proposed protocols. Individuals may submit comments electronically at www.regulations.gov, by mail or fax by December 6. For more information, see the official OSHA news release.

The entire Proposed Rule, Additional PortaCount® Quantitative Fit-Testing Protocols: Amendment to Respiratory Protection Standard, can be read at this webpage. 

Article by Stephen Burt, MFA, BS

Nov 2016