Per the St. Olaf College Respiratory Protection Program, respiratory protection is designated by EHS as either mandatory or voluntary, depending upon an exposure assessment and the hazard level.
When a respirator fit test is required, the respiratory medical questionnaire, physician’s evaluation, and respirator training must be completed prior to the fit test.
Questions? Talk with your supervisor or e-mail ehs@stolaf.edu.
NOTE: Personal use of a mask/respirator for protection against flu/cold/COVID-19/etc., (1) is not covered under the Respiratory Protection program, (2) does not require approval from EHS.
If you are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms then stay home.
- Mandatory use applies to all St. Olaf College personnel (staff, faculty, and students) who are required to wear respirators to complete work-related tasks. The use of a respirator may be required for one of the following reasons:
- Personnel have an exposure to a respiratory hazard that is above a relevant exposure limit.
- A qualified safety professional or medical personnel determines respiratory protection is required, regardless of exposure.
- Supervisors or principal investigators choose to require the use of respiratory protection regardless of exposure level.
- A chemical label or Safety Data Sheet specifically requires the use of respiratory protection for the activity being performed.
- Employees who are required to wear respirators must complete the following tasks before using the respirator:
- Fill out a medical evaluation questionnaire (Appendix C1) and obtain permission from a physician or licensed health care professional (PLHCP) to ensure that they are medically able to use that respirator (Appendix C2).
- Undergo a fit test to ensure proper respirator sizing.
- Receive training that includes how to inspect, put on and remove, use & maintenance, and perform a user seal check of the respirator.
- The College will provide (or cover the cost of) medical evaluations, physician’s evaluation respirators, fit testing, and training to St. Olaf College personnel who are required to wear a respirator.
- All respirators must be NIOSH-approved.
- St. Olaf College employees may voluntarily wear a negative pressure respirator for their own comfort or sense of well-being during work activities or while working in areas where EHS has determined that the potential does not exist for exposure to airborne contaminants above applicable regulatory limits.
- Respirator use in these circumstances is considered “voluntary use.” Many elements of OSHA’s respiratory protection standard do not apply.
- Fit testing is not required for the voluntary use of any type of respiratory protection.
- Before using a respirator, voluntary users must fill out Appendix A and return it to ehs@stolaf.edu to obtain permission from their supervisor and EHS to use the respirator.
- EHS will visit with the employee to better understand the situation and ensure that all air quality control measures are working properly.
- If using a tight-fitting elastomeric respirator, the employee must also:
- Complete a medical evaluation questionnaire (Appendix C1) and obtain permission from a physician or licensed health care professional (PLHCP) to ensure that they are medically able to use that respirator (Appendix C2).
- Receive Voluntary Use Training from EHS that will include how to perform a user seal check and additional topics (see sections 12.3 – 12.6).
- If using an N95 Filtering Facepiece (FFP) respirator:
- A medical evaluation is not required.
- The employee’s supervisor and EHS must determine that such respirator use will not in itself create a hazard (i.e., by ensuring that masks are not used if dirty or contaminated, and that their use does not interfere with the employee’s ability to work safely).
- If using a KN95/KF94 (or other earloop or single-strap) mask:
- The employee must inform their supervisor (who will inform EHS) that the use is for their own comfort or sense of well-being.
- In a workplace setting where an employee may voluntarily use a filtering facepiece respirator, a KN95 or similar mask may be used.
- A medical evaluation is not required. Training is not required. Fit testing is not required.
- The College does not maintain respirators for use in emergency situations or as emergency escape-only situations because the campus facilities, work conditions, and emergency response plans are designed to avoid such situations.
- No individual is to knowingly work in an area that is, or is suspected of being, immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH).
This program does not apply to contractors; they should refer to their company’s Respiratory Protection Program.
Return Appendix A to your supervisor or EHS.
Instructions for Appendix C will be provided by HR.