Respirator Medical Evaluations

Medical evaluations are necessary for employees who will wear respirators. They must be done prior to wearing this equipment.

Note: Some workplaces do not have hazardous materials exposure, yet workers may choose to use respirators voluntarily. In this case, OSHA notes that "certain written program elements may be necessary to prevent potential hazards associated with respirator use." This includes medical evaluations. Employers must decide "whether respirator use itself may actually harm employees" and, if so, must "medically evaluate employees and, if necessary, restrict respirator use, as well as comply with program elements." In these cases, employers must provide employees with the information covered in Appendix D of OSHA's respiratory protection standard.

Medical evaluations may change the written components of the respiratory protection program. It is up to employers to use the information from medical evaluations to reevaluate the program and modify it whenever necessary.

To learn more about Respiratory Protection visit our Respiratory Protection Online Training web page.