Respirators, masks, and use-case decisions

With the coronavirus pandemic sweeping across the state, nation, and world, the recommendations for respiratory protection use is nearly impossible to miss. The CDC, OSHA, and state-level officials have offered repeated – and updated – guidance on the types of PPE (personal protective equipment) to use and when to use it.

Who should use respirators and other PPEs

Cities should be using their hazard assessments and other internal determinations to decide who is required to use respirators in their jobs – and in tasks now altered because of COVID-19 exposures. Per OSHA’s guidance on preparing workplaces for COVID-19, employees who have “frequent/close contact with people who may be infected, but who are not known or suspected patients” should be assessed for PPE and respiratory protection needs.

Organizations should be closely considering voluntary use of respirators because of the short supply and unsure market of the near future. Such voluntary programs are normally good, but in current circumstances organizations must triage needs for these supplies to ensure sufficient respirators for staff with medium and high exposure levels.

Mask usage

For staff members who wish to protect themselves – and follow CDC recommendations regarding protection in public – we recommend having such employee populations wear surgical or fabric masks. The wearing of these masks does not fall under the usual respirator policy because they are not technically respirators. If your organization does not currently address such masks in your infections disease prevention program or other policy, we recommend such an addition clarifying the obligations of provision and cleaning – i.e. will you or the individual provide the mask and who will be responsible for cleaning masks.

Voluntary use of respirators

For organizations who do feel they have sufficient supply to expand voluntary use of respirators, ensure that the organization has a voluntary use program, or that your broader program has such a section. AWC Retro has a template available for your use. Ensure participating employees have been provided with the required information and training before being allowed to use a respirator for the first time, especially if they are staff from a department/location which does not usually use respirators.

Mandatory respirator use

There may be some employee groups who are not actively using filtering facepiece respirators (dust masks) for the first time because of exposure determinations; some law enforcement departments are in this position. If such use is deemed mandatory and not voluntary, these employees will need to be fit-tested for the respirator. With mandatory use, employees should also ensure they do not have facial hair that would impede a correct seal of the mask.

All public entities are currently working to know who needs respiratory protection, and what level of protection is appropriate for different work groups. AWC Retro encourages you to take the time to correctly asses the levels of exposure for these groups and designate the correct level of PPE for use. And be prepared to adjust. If our team can help you in assessment or other parts of the process, be sure to contact us.