For decades, businesses have used the TSI Porta-Count QNFT method to fit test tight-fitting respirators. Today, new variations of this NIOSH-approved method (e.g., Condensation Nuclei Counter(CNC) are faster, and we have seen many organizations adopt these new methods. However, changing our Fit-Testing method may require an MOC. I say “may” as not all PSM processes…...
Changing our fit-test methods requires an MOC Read More »
NIOSH research tells us: Source: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/pdfs/Fit-test-10.508_FNL-508.pdf… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...
Respirator Fit-Testing Facts (NIOSH) Read More »
Initial findings in an employee’s death show breathing air was compromised while working in a paint booth after the breathing air system unintentionally allowed nitrogen to get into the system. The worker, 61, was found not breathing just after noon on Feb. 24 in a paint booth. This incident occurred in the same area where…...
Nitrogen in the breathing air system Read More »
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Excellent video on RP Fit Testing (UK’s HSE) Read More »
On May 18, 2023, at 7:45 p.m. an employee, 45, working for a paint and coating manufacturer was wearing a 3M half-face respirator while spray coating MacroPoxy 646 Fast Cure Epoxy on parts. The employee was spraying the last parts of the day when he began feeling chest pain. The employee used his inhaler twice…...
Medical evaluations for Respirator use is a critical path in their safe use Read More »
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has honored a request by Honeywell International Inc. to voluntarily rescind two NIOSH respirator approvals issued to Honeywell International Inc. Due to the voluntary rescission of these NIOSH approvals, respirators bearing these NIOSH approval numbers MAY NO LONGER BE USED, manufactured, assembled, sold, or distributed. As of…...
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposes to amend regulatory requirements that would be used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to test and approve Combination Unit Respirators (CURs). NFPA defines a CUR as…… Membership Required You must be a member to...
MultiVapor™ has been updated to resolve the errors users experienced with a missing MSSTDFMT.DLL file, and other minor typographical errors. MultiVapor™ is a computer tool for estimating breakthrough times and service life of air-purifying respirator cartridges manufactured to remove toxic organic vapors (OV) from breathed air. It can also be used for larger filters and…...
NIOSH updates MultiVapor™ Version 2.2.6 Application Read More »
As is evident by several Permit-Required Confined Space incidents over the years, workers MUST FULLY understand the limitations of the respirators they are using. This latest incident involved a worker who was vacuuming, and the nozzle became stuck inside the tank. To free the nozzle, the worker—wearing a respirator with organic filters used explicitly for…...
Knowing the limitations of the respirator is CRITICAL Read More »
Immediate Action Required Impacted Dates: October 3, 2023 – December 4 ,2023 3M™ Scott™ Cylinder and Valve Assemblies are safe to use once the instructions in this notice are carried out. 3M Scott have been made aware of a small number of cylinder valves that experienced noticeable rates of leakage upon initial inspection when the…...
User Safety Notice SN122223 – 3M™ Scott™ Cylinder and Valve Assemblies Read More »
The Suburban Manufacturing Group manufactures filtration and drying systems for compressed air. A part of the product line is a compressed air filtration system for use with supplied air respirators (SARs). You have asked for OSHA’s interpretation on addressing air quality and clarification on various designs or configurations of currently marketed breathing air systems. Please…...
OSHA clarifications for breathing air quality and use Read More »
Between May and November 2020, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) issued limited, temporary Public Health Emergency (PHE) approvals for N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) to address respirator supply shortages during that time. In July 2021, NIOSH published NIOSH CA 2021-1036 to remind PHE approval holders that these…...
