Respiratory Protection
Purpose
The NIH Respiratory Protection Program (RPP) establishes uniform procedures in accordance with Respiratory Protection OSHA Standard 29 CFR Part 1910.134 for the appropriate selection, use, and care of respiratory protective equipment for NIH employees. It is managed by the Division of Safety (DS). The Occupational Medical Service (OMS) provides medical determination of a worker's ability to wear the indicated respiratory PPE while performing their essential job functions.
Eligibility
All
federal NIH staff are eligible for risk-based participation in the NIH RPP.
Contract staff are expected to receive equivalent services through their
employer. Supervisors and the designated DS Safety Specialist conduct a
workplace risk assessment to determine the need for RPP enrollment. Supervisors
direct their at-risk personnel to OMS for medical qualification and enrollment
in the RPP. The DS Industrial Hygiene and Campus Safety Branch (IHCSB) performs
respiratory PPE training and respirator fit testing. Appropriate respiratory
PPE is provided to employees by the NIH at no cost to the employee. Enrollment
in the RPP must occur before using a respirator or any PAPR
system.
Services
For
eligible staff RPP enrollment begins with submitting the Respirator Initial Questionnaire
to OMS for review. OMS registers the participant’s enrollment in the RPP record
system after ensuring that any questions from participant or clinician are
addressed. Active enrollment status prompts an email notice to the participant
with directions on required training and scheduling for respirator fit testing.
All active RPP participants are required
to complete a refresher training and fit testing for respirator use at least
annually beginning with submitting a Respirator Periodic Questionnaire in the RPP
record system. All
medical clearances and RPP records can be reviewed by employees and supervisors
at any time.
Links and Resources
Safety Glasses
Purpose
This program is intended to provide safety glasses that meet OSHA standards to NIH employees at risk for job-related eye trauma from projectile objects.
Eligibility
NIH employees who are exposed to potential eye injuries caused by flying or projectile objects as part of their job duties may qualify for this program. Examples of qualifying tasks include operating grinders, drills, pneumatic or rapidly rotating power tools, as well as performing activities such as hammering or chiseling.
Employees needing safety glasses must fill out a Safety Glasses Request Form. The employee is responsible for completing Section A, while their supervisor or designated representative must complete Section B. A valid prescription for corrective lenses, dated within the past year, must be obtained from the employee's optician or ophthalmologist. The completed form should then be submitted to Occupational Medical Service (OMS) by scheduling an appointment with an OMS provider for clinician review.
Services
Eligible employees may receive one pair of safety glasses every two years. After approval of request, outlined above, the employee selects and receives safety glasses from an authorized optometrist.
