Respirator Selection for Workers

A facility's respiratory protection plan and ATD exposure control plan must specify the types of respirators that can be used and for which tasks or procedures respirators must be worn. The ATD standards establish minimum requirements based on the job tasks in a facility and the disease that is posing the respiratory hazard. The ATD standard categorizes job tasks, as follows:

• Routine patient care and support operations
• High-hazard procedures

High-hazard procedures are procedures during which the worker performing the procedure is highly likely to be exposed to ATD pathogens.

Diseases are categorized in three groups, as follows:

• Diseases and pathogens that require airborne infection isolation (AirIDs)
• Seasonal influenza (suspected or confirmed)
• Other diseases and pathogens that require droplet protection

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