Cal/OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard

The respiratory protection standard (Title 8 CCR Section 5144) requires that employers in facilities that harbor respiratory hazards implement and develop a comprehensive respiratory protection program that includes the following components:

1. Assign a specific person to be Program Administrator.
2. Perform a respiratory hazard evaluation of the healthcare facility.
3. Eliminate or reduce the need for respiratory protection in the workplace (where possible).
4. Become knowledgeable about respiratory protection and its use.
5. Develop and implement a written plan that includes policies and procedures for all aspects of the respiratory protection program, including the following:
   1. Identification and medical evaluation of workers who are required to use respirators
   2. Fit testing procedures for respirators that require fit testing
6. Establish a training program.
7. Conduct an ongoing evaluation of the program.
8. Maintain records.

Employers must include all of these elements in their respiratory protection programs, but employers are free to determine the specifics of the policies and procedures.

To learn more about Healthcare Respiratory Protection visit our Cal/OSHA Healthcare Respiratory Protection Safety Online Training web page.