Temporary Enforcement Guidance: Tight-Fitting Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) Used During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic | NLM

Disaster Information Management Research Center | NLM

Temporary Enforcement Guidance: Tight-Fitting Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) Used During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic

10/02/2020 12:00 AM EDT

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration [U.S. Department of Labor] (OSHA). Published: 10/2/2020. This web page details temporary guidance for enforcing initial and annual fit-testing requirements related to tight-fitting powered air-purifying respirators. The new enforcement discretion policy permits the use of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved tight-fitting powered air-purifying respirators for protection against the coronavirus when initial and/or annual fit testing is infeasible due to respirator and fit-testing supply shortages. The guidance applies to healthcare personnel and other workers in high or very high exposure risk activities. (Text)