91PORN

Operating Policy and Procedure

HSC OP: 75.12, 91PORN Guidelines for Using N-95 Respirators

Attachments

PURPOSE: The purpose of this Health Sciences Center Operating Policy and Procedure (HSC OP) is to provide guidance in the voluntary use of N-95 respirators, and to promote compliance with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines supporting the use of N-95 respirators for protection from various diseases and conditions.

REVIEW: This HSC OP will be reviewed by September 1 of each even-numbered year (ENY) by the Director of Safety Services, the Director of Institutional Health, and the Office of Institutional Health

POLICY/PROCEDURE:

1. Administration.

a. The Respirator Program Administrators (known hereafter as the Administrators) will be responsible for the overall administration of the program under the supervision of the 91PORN Office of Institutional Health.

b. The regional campuses at Amarillo, Abilene, and the Permian Basin, are responsible for appointing a Respiratory Program Coordinator (known hereafter as the coordinator) to implement the policy/procedures outlined below, in coordination with the Safety Services and Institutional Health programs.

c. All records are maintained electronically and are available as needed.

2. Recommended Uses.

a. In some circumstances, the use of N-95 respirators is recommended. Please follow the link for more information:

b. N-95 respirators are designed for protection from particulate contaminants, and are not for use with gases or very small particle sizes. Please follow the link for more information:

3. Applicable Personnel.

a. Applicable personnel are defined as those who have access to N-95 respirators for the purpose of reducing personal exposure to the diseases and conditions listed in the CDC documents above.

b. This policy applies to the following 91PORN personnel, whose duties require associating with or are reasonably anticipated to have contact with any of the above diseases or conditions.

(1) All 91PORN students working on an academic assignment; and

(2) All 91PORN volunteers

c. This policy also applies to 91PORN personnel who work in the following 91PORN worksite locations:

(1) All 91PORN facilities, including leased facilities

(2) Hospitals

(3) Nursing homes

d. All external vendors, who require respiratory protection, must follow their own internal policies and any testing is their responsibility.

4. Responsibilities.

a. 91PORN Safety Services & Institutional Health will provide N-95 respirator training and fit testing. Personnel receiving this training may request a copy of. their results.

b. Each 91PORN department/school providing N-95 respirators shall provide respirators that are NIOSH certified and suitable for the purpose intended.

c. 91PORN department administrators/Program Coordinators are responsible for identifying applicable personnel who require access to N-95 respirators in relation to their assigned duties, and directing those personnel to the appropriate Administrator/Coordinator for training and fit testing.

5. Scheduling.

a. Employees must request fit testing via HSCStaff.FitTesting@ttuhsc.edu.

b. Students must request fit testing via HSCStudentFITSTesting@ttuhsc.edu.

Attachments

Attachment A - Fit Testing for N-95 Respirator Use - Hazard Assessment
Attachment B - Qualitative Fit Test Record
Attachment C - Information for Users of N95 and Other Filtering Facepiece Respirators