overview

In February of 1996, OSHA issued a new enforcement policy to its compliance officers on occupational exposure to tuberculosis allowing the use of an old regulation (30CFR11) HEPA filter respirator or any of the new regulation particle respirators, such as N95.

CDC has established minimally acceptable criteria for respirators for protection from TB as:

1. The ability to filter particles 1 micron in size in the unloaded state with a filter efficiency of >95% when tested at a flow rate of 50 liters per minute.
2. The ability to be qualitatively or quantitatively fit tested in a reliable way to obtain a face-seal leakage of <10%.
3. The ability to fit the different facial sizes and characteristics of healthcare workers which can usually be met by making the respirators available in at least three sizes.
4. The ability to be checked for facepiece fit, in accordance with OSHA standards and good industrial hygiene practice, by healthcare workers each time they put on their respirator.

Based on these requirements, OSHA determined that the minimally accepted level of respiratory protection required would be met by an N, R or P95 new regulation respirator. OSHA also says that if a facility chooses to use disposable respirators, their reuse is permitted as long as the respirator maintains its structural and functional integrity and the filter material is not physically damaged or soiled.

Moldex^® Solution

Based on this information, it is acceptable to use any Moldex^®, N, R or P class filter particulate respirators. The user should consult their infection control department for guidelines on how long each mask, cartridge, filter or filtering facepiece should be used.

Affected Industries

• Ambulatory Care Facilities, Correctional Institutions, Emergency Medical Services, Healthcare Settings,
• Hospitals, Long Term Care Facilities for the Elderly, Medical Wards in Correctional Facilities, Medical and Dental Offices

Reference

OSHA Directive: Directive: CPL 02-00-106 - CPL 2.106 - Enforcement Procedures and Scheduling for Occupational Exposure to Tuberculosis:
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=DIRECTIVES&p_id=1586

OSHA Safety & Health Topic:
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/tuberculosis/index.html#hot_topics

CDC Guidelines for Preventing Transmission of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Healthcare Facilities, 1994; MMWR October 26, 1994 Vol. 43, No. RR-13.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00035909.htm

CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/tb/default.htm

Moldex^® Respirators:
Moldex^® Disposable Respirators

WARNING: The information contained in this Tech Brief is dated and was accurate to the best of Moldex's knowledge, on the date above. It is not meant to be comprehensive, nor is it intended to be used in place of the warning/use instructions that accompany Moldex respirators. Outside of the USA, check with all applicable and local government regulations.

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