Millions of workers are required to wear respirators in various workplaces throughout the United States. Respiratory hazards may cause cancer, lung impairment, diseases, or death.
Respirators protect the user in two basic ways. The first is by the removal of contaminants from the air. Respirators of this type include particulate respirators, which filter out airborne particles, and air-purifying respirators with cartridges/canisters which filter out chemicals and gases. Other respirators protect by supplying clean respirable air from another source. Respirators that fall into this category include airline respirators, which use compressed air from a remote source, and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which include their own air supply.
If you need to wear a respirator at work, you should be enrolled in the University’s Respiratory Protection Program, have the correct brand and fit for your facial features, be trained on the use of the respirator, and have passed the medical questionnaire. Continued use of a respirator requires an annual fit test. Our office offers Respiratory Protection training and quantitative fit testing to ensure the facepiece-to-face seal of the respirator is adequate. To arrange an appointment, please contact us at 305-243-3400 or complete this form.
