Medical Evaluation

Medical evaluations must be performed on all individuals required to wear respirators. This must be provided at no cost to the employee and conducted in a confidential manner by a physician licensed health care professional (PLHCP). NSCC will obtain a written recommendation from the PLHCP on whether/or not the employee is medically able to wear a respirator. The recommendation must identify any limitations on employee's use of the respirator. Additional medical evaluation or reevaluation will be provided if:

• Employee reports signs and symptoms that are related to the employee's ability to use a respirator
• If a medical problem is observed during fit testing of the respirator
• Change occurs in workplace conditions (physical work effort, type of respirator used, temperature etc.)

The content of such additional medical evaluations shall be determined by the PLHCP

Fit testing will be required with all respirators with a tight fitting facepiece. It will be performed:

• After employee completes medical evaluation and prior to being allowed to wear any respirator with a tight fitting facepiece in the work environment
• Whenever a different facepiece is used
• At least annually thereafter
• When there are changes in the employees physical condition that could affect respiratory fit (obvious change in body weight, facial scarring etc)

NSCC will not permit respirators with tight fitting facepieces to be worn by employees who have conditions that would compromise the facepiece-to-face seal. Corrective glasses, goggles or other PPE must be worn in such a way that they do not interfere with the seal of the facepiece to the face. Full facepiece respirators will be provided where either corrective glasses or eye protection is required. A user seal check (aka fit check) needs to be performed every time a tight fitting respirator is put on or adjusted to ensure proper seating to the face. App B describes the +ve and -ve pressure check required.

Respirator effectiveness: employees are allowed to leave the respirator area to:

• Wash their faces and respirators as needed to prevent skin or eye irritation
• Whenever they detect vapor or gas breakthrough (odor, taste and/or irritation), a change in breathing resistance or leakage of the facepiece
• To replace cartridge or canister per ESLI or change cartridge guidelines
• If respirator is not properly functioning and needs to be replaced or discarded
• If employee experiences discomfort - dizziness, weakness, breathing difficulty, coughing, sneezing, vomiting, fever or chills