Employees required to wear respiratory protection as a function of their job duty are enrolled in the University's Respiratory Protection Program. Employees enrolled in the Respiratory Protection Program are required to review the Respiratory Protection Policy. Requirements include training, medical surveillance, and fit testing which are discussed in further detail below.
Employees who voluntarily wear respirators at work need to take certain precautions to ensure that the respirator itself does not present a hazard. Employees voluntarily wearing respirators at Tulane must review the Voluntary Use Memo which summarizes Appendix D of OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard.
For additional information, questions, or concerns relating to the respiratory protection program, please contact OEHS at oehs@tulane.edu.
Respiratory Protection Program Requirements
Training:
Employees required to use respiratory protection are trained annually on the use, limitations, storage, and maintenance of the respirator. Training is assigned through TULearn on Gibson; training may also be accessed through the following links:
Medical Surveillance:
Employees needing respiratory protection are required to undergo a medical evaluation annually. Using respiratory protection may place a physiological and/or psychological burden on the respirator user that varies depending on workplace conditions. Employees requiring respiratory protection must undergo a medical evaluation annually, and may make an appointment with the Tulane Living Well Occupational Health Clinic to coordinate completion of this requirement. Contact information for the Tulane Living Well Occupational Health Clinic is listed below:
Tulane Living Well Occupational Health Clinic
School of Medicine
Hutchinson Building
1430 Tulane Ave. Room 1510
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 988-6224; E-mail: tlwocchealth@tulane.edu
Hours of Operation: M-F 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Fit Testing:
Fit testing is required annually for employees using respiratory protection. Once medical clearance is received, employees can be fit tested for the respirator make and model they will use in the workplace. Employees requiring a fit test may schedule an appointment with the Tulane Living Well Occupational Health Clinic at the number or email address listed above. The medical evaluation and fit test are typically conducted on the same visit.
For more information about respiratory protection, review the Respiratory Protection Fact Sheet.
