Before wearing Respiratory Protection
There are several items that are required before employees can wear respirators. First, it should be verified that all engineering and administrative controls have been investigated. For example, can we use local ventilation instead of requiring respirators? In addition, there must be a written program, the employee must be medically cleared, trained, and fitted for the respirator. Please contact EHSO for assistance.
Steps for Respirator Usage at UMN
Respirator usage at UMN is governed by the Respiratory Protection Program
There are different requirements for voluntary use of respirators and for mandatory use of respirators. For more information on each type of use, use the links below.
Whether the use of a respirator is voluntary or mandatory, all users of respirators at UMN must complete an online training course UHS514 through the training hub.
Once the training course has been completed and all other requirements for voluntary or mandatory use have been met, the EHS department can perform the fit tests. Note that these fits tests are required for mandatory use of all respirators and for voluntary use of cartridge filtering respirators.
To schedule a fit test contact Andrew Kimball at 726-6764 or [email protected]. Bring your respirator with you to the fit test appointment. You must be clean shaven in the areas where the respirator seal touches the face. If you are not clean shaven, you will not be fit tested. Do not drink or eat any food for 30 mins prior to the fit test. The fit test takes approximately 15 minutes.