Ohio State's Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), in compliance with state laws, adopted from Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules found at 29 CFR 1910.134, has developed the Ohio State Respiratory Protection Program (RPP). This program covers all Ohio State employees (faculty and staff) who are required to wear respiratory protection.
If respiratory protection is required for your job duties, users must complete the following to remain compliant within the RPP and be eligible to wear a respirator:
- Obtain a Respirator Medical Clearance
- Complete Respiratory Protection Training
- Pass a Respirator Fit Test
All of these requirements must be completed on an annual basis. Detailed instructions for the steps are outlined below.
Respirator Medical Clearance
Purpose
A respirator medical clearance is a critical evaluation to ensure an individual is medically fit to wear a respirator. This assessment is essential because respirator use can impose additional physical strain, particularly on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
How to Obtain a Medical Clearance
Employees informed by their employer or Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) through a hazard assessment that they may be exposed to conditions requiring a respirator must first complete the Online Risk Assessment Tool (ORAT). When completing the assessment, ensure you identify yourself as a respirator user. Your submission will be reviewed by EHS and Ohio State Employee Health for further evaluation.
How to Schedule a Medical Clearance Appointment
Once your ORAT submission is approved, medical clearance appointments will be scheduled by Ohio State Employee Health. The appointment date will be emailed to the address provided in your ORAT submission and will take place at McCampbell Hall. Upon completion of the appointment, documentation will be provided to you, your supervisor, and EHS.
Respiratory Protection Training
Purpose
Respiratory protection training is an essential part of the university's Respiratory Protection Program (RPP). It provides respirator users with the knowledge and skills needed to use respirators safely and effectively, protecting their health in environments with potential inhalation hazards.
How to Complete Training
Respiratory protection training is offered online via the EHS training website and BuckeyeLearn. The training takes about 20–30 minutes to complete and requires passing a quiz to obtain a completion certificate. Completion of this training is required for all respirator users.
Respirator Fit Test
Purpose
A respirator fit test is a procedure designed to verify that a respirator fits an individual's face correctly. This test ensures the respirator forms a tight seal against the skin, effectively preventing contaminants from leaking through any gaps.
How to Schedule a Fit Test
Main campus employees can schedule a fit test online here. Users will need to sign in using their Ohio State credentials and select a preferred date and time for the test. All required medical clearance and training documentation must be provided at the time of the fit test. Failure to present this documentation will result in the test being postponed.
Fit Testing Location
Fit testing is conducted at the EHS offices located at 1314 Kinnear Road. Please note that parking regulations apply upon arrival.
Medical Center Employee Fit Testing
Medical Center employees can schedule their respirator fit test through the Medical Safety Department via MyTools or by contacting EHS directly for assistance.
What if, as a precaution and not due to any known hazards, I want to wear a respirator on my own?
Employees not required to wear a respirator due to a known hazard may do so voluntarily. Voluntary users of N95 type respirators are not required to be fit tested or medically cleared. Voluntary users of N95 respirators must be provided with information found in OSHA 1910.134 Appendix D.
Voluntary use of all other types of respirators (other than N95) requires departmental approval and compliance with the RPP including fit testing, training and medical clearance.
How do I obtain medical clearance?
Employees who have been told by their employer or EHS through a hazard assessment that they are exposed to hazards requiring the use of a respirator should first complete the Online Risk Assessment Tool (ORAT) and be sure to identify as a respirator user. Your submission will be reviewed by EHS and Employee Health Services.
How do I schedule medical clearance?
Once the ORAT is accepted, the date and time of your medical clearance appointment will be emailed to the address provided in the ORAT submission. Medical clearance documentation will be provided to the employee, employee’s supervisor and EHS representative responsible for fit testing following the conclusion of the appointment.
Is online annual training required?
Annual respiratory protection training is required for all respirator users.
How do I complete the required online annual training?
Online training for respiratory protection is available through the EHS website via the online training platform or in BuckeyeLearn. Training takes approximately 20 minutes and requires a passing score greater than 70% to count as complete for the calendar year.
Is fit testing required annually?
The RPP requires that respirator fit testing be performed initially (before the employee is required to wear a respirator) and at least annually when respirator use is required. Medical clearance and online training must be completed prior to a fit test appointment. Fit testing (except for Wexner Medical Center employees) is conducted at the EHS office located at 1314 Kinnear Road in Room 121. Large departmental groups can work with EHS to arrange for on-site testing.
How do I schedule a fit test?
To schedule fit tests, employees should use the online EHS portal. Under the additional service request, please select the “Respirator Fit Test” option. Users will be prompted to sign-in, select the type of fit test (e.g., N95 or Half/Full Face), and select the time of testing.
Fit testing is provided free of charge to all Ohio State employees who are required by regulation to wear a respirator. Fit testing for voluntary users can be arranged through EHS for a fee.
Where can Wexner Medical Center employees get fit tested?
Ohio State Wexner Medical Center employees can arrange for fit testing through the Medical Center Safety department using MyTools.
Where can I find additional information about the Respiratory Protection Program?
The Environmental Health and Safety website has information about all written safety programs including Respiratory Protection. Additionally, an EHS staff member can be contacted via ehs@osu.edu to provide additional information, answer questions, or provide support.