{"id":478,"date":"2017-10-18T23:27:15","date_gmt":"2017-10-19T04:27:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/?page_id=478"},"modified":"2025-05-12T11:25:49","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T16:25:49","slug":"respirator-protection-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/respirator-protection-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Respiratory Protection Program"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-modular-content-collection>\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default site-section site-panel__accordion panel panel-accordion site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"accordion\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-section__inner l-wrapper \">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid site-grid__wrapper\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\n<figure class=\"is-style-default c-caption\">\n\n\t\n\n\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"is-style-default t-content\" data-name=\"content\" data-index=\"0\" data-autop=\"true\" data-livetext>\n\t\t\t<p>Per the St. Olaf College\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/files\/2023\/06\/STO-Resp-ProtectionProgram-FINAL-2023-Mar.pdf\">Respiratory Protection Program<\/a>,\u00a0respiratory protection is designated by EHS as either\u00a0<strong>mandatory<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0<strong>voluntary<\/strong>, depending upon an exposure assessment and the hazard level.<\/p>\n<p>When a respirator fit test is required, the respiratory medical questionnaire, physician&#8217;s evaluation, and respirator training must be completed prior to the fit test.<\/p>\n<p>Questions?\u00a0 Talk with your supervisor or e-mail\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:ehs@stolaf.edu\">ehs@stolaf.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>NOTE:<\/strong>\u00a0Personal 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.<br \/>\nIf you are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms then stay home.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\n<\/figure>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default accordion site-panel__accordion-items\" data-depth=\"0\" data-name=\"accordions\" data-livetext role=\"tablist\" aria-multiselectable=\"true\" data-js=\"accordion\">\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e3b30da5f8b-header-0\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e3b30da5f8b-content-0\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMandatory Use Requirements\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e3b30da5f8b-header-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e3b30da5f8b-content-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li><strong>Mandatory use applies to all St. Olaf College personnel<\/strong> (staff, faculty, and students) <strong>who are required to wear respirators to complete work-related tasks<\/strong>.\u00a0 The use of a respirator may be required for one of the following reasons:\n<ul>\n<li>Personnel have an exposure to a respiratory hazard that is above a relevant exposure limit.<\/li>\n<li>A qualified safety professional or medical personnel determines respiratory protection is required, regardless of exposure.<\/li>\n<li>Supervisors or principal investigators choose to require the use of respiratory protection regardless of exposure level.<\/li>\n<li>A chemical label or Safety Data Sheet specifically requires the use of respiratory protection for the activity being performed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Employees who are required to wear respirators must complete the following tasks before using the respirator:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Fill out a medical evaluation questionnaire (<a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/files\/2023\/06\/STO-RPP-Appendix-C1-Medical-Questionnaire.docx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Appendix C1<\/a>) and obtain permission from a physician or licensed health care professional (PLHCP) to ensure that they are medically able to use that respirator (<a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/files\/2023\/06\/STO-RPP-Appendix-C2-Physician-Evaluation.docx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Appendix C2<\/a>).<\/li>\n<li>Undergo a fit test to ensure proper respirator sizing.<\/li>\n<li>Receive training that includes how to inspect, put on and remove, use &amp; maintenance, and perform a user seal check of the respirator.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>The College will provide (or cover the cost of) medical evaluations, physician&#8217;s evaluation respirators, fit testing, and training to St. Olaf College personnel who are required to wear a respirator.<\/li>\n<li>All respirators must be NIOSH-approved.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e3b30da5f8b-header-1\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e3b30da5f8b-content-1\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tVoluntary Use Requirements\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e3b30da5f8b-header-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e3b30da5f8b-content-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>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.\n<ul>\n<li>Respirator use in these circumstances is considered \u201cvoluntary use.\u201d\u00a0 Many elements of OSHA\u2019s respiratory protection standard do not apply.<\/li>\n<li>Fit testing is not required for the voluntary use of any type of respiratory protection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Before using a respirator, voluntary users must f<\/strong><strong>ill out <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/files\/2025\/05\/STO-RPP-Appendix-A-Voluntary-Use-Request-Form.docx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Appendix A<\/a><\/strong> and return it to <a href=\"mailto:ehs@stolaf.edu\">ehs@stolaf.edu<\/a>\u00a0to obtain permission from their supervisor and EHS to use the respirator.\n<ul>\n<li>EHS will visit with the employee to better understand the situation and ensure that all air quality control measures are working properly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>If using a tight-fitting elastomeric respirator<\/strong>, the employee must also:\n<ul>\n<li>Complete a medical evaluation questionnaire (<a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/files\/2023\/06\/STO-RPP-Appendix-C1-Medical-Questionnaire.docx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Appendix C1<\/a>) and obtain permission from a physician or licensed health care professional (PLHCP) to ensure that they are medically able to use that respirator (<a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/files\/2023\/06\/STO-RPP-Appendix-C2-Physician-Evaluation.docx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Appendix C2<\/a>).<\/li>\n<li>Receive Voluntary Use Training from EHS that will include how to perform a user seal check and additional topics (see sections 12.3 \u2013 12.6).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>If using an N95 Filtering Facepiece (FFP) respirator<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>A medical evaluation is not required.<\/li>\n<li>The employee\u2019s 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\u2019s ability to work safely).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>If using a KN95\/KF94 (or other earloop or single-strap) mask<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>The employee must inform their supervisor (who will inform EHS) that the use is for their own comfort or sense of well-being.<\/li>\n<li>In a workplace setting where an employee may voluntarily use a filtering facepiece respirator, a KN95 or similar mask may be used.<\/li>\n<li>A medical evaluation is not required.\u00a0 Training is not required.\u00a0 Fit testing is not required.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e3b30da5f8b-header-2\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e3b30da5f8b-content-2\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRespirators Are Not For Emergency Use\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e3b30da5f8b-header-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e3b30da5f8b-content-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>No individual is to knowingly work in an area that is, or is suspected of being, immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e3b30da5f8b-header-3\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e3b30da5f8b-content-3\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tContractor Requirements\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e3b30da5f8b-header-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e3b30da5f8b-content-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This program does not apply to contractors; they should refer to their company\u2019s Respiratory Protection Program.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e3b30da5f8b-header-4\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e3b30da5f8b-content-4\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"4\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDownloadable Forms: Voluntary Use (App A); Medical Questionnaire App C1); Physician&#039;s Evaluation (App C2)\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e3b30da5f8b-header-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e3b30da5f8b-content-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"4\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Return Appendix A to your supervisor or EHS.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/files\/2025\/05\/STO-RPP-Appendix-A-Voluntary-Use-Request-Form.docx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Appendix A: Voluntary Use of Respirator \u2013 Request Form<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Instructions for Appendix C will be provided by HR.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/files\/2023\/06\/STO-RPP-Appendix-C1-Medical-Questionnaire.docx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Appendix C1: Medical Evaluation Questionnaire<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/files\/2023\/06\/STO-RPP-Appendix-C2-Physician-Evaluation.docx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Appendix C2: Physician&#8217;s Evaluation<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"core\/file\" class=\"wp-block-file\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!state.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/files\/2025\/05\/STO-Resp-ProtectionProgram-FINAL-2025-May.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of STO Resp ProtectionProgram FINAL 2025 May.\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-1372c83a-64df-4b1d-a21e-0af0e6ddce92\" href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/files\/2025\/05\/STO-Resp-ProtectionProgram-FINAL-2025-May.pdf\">STO Resp ProtectionProgram FINAL 2025 May<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/files\/2025\/05\/STO-Resp-ProtectionProgram-FINAL-2025-May.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-1372c83a-64df-4b1d-a21e-0af0e6ddce92\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":156,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-478","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/478","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/156"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=478"}],"version-history":[{"count":100,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/478\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2209,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/478\/revisions\/2209"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=478"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}