Respiratory Protection Guidelines

Medical Evaluation Requirements

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that workers with severe cardiopulmonary conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure, should be evaluated before using respiratory protection equipment 1, 2, 3.
Workers with moderate to severe asthma may experience increased respiratory workload and difficulty breathing when using negative-pressure respirators 1, 2.
The American Thoracic Society suggests that workers with severe restrictive lung disease may have limited ability to tolerate the additional air flow resistance imposed by respirators 3.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health states that few medical conditions completely preclude the use of most negative-pressure particulate respirators, but conditions such as severe COPD, uncontrolled asthma, and congestive heart failure may limit use 1, 2, 3, 4.
Workers with certain medical conditions, such as angina or recent myocardial infarction, may need to avoid using respirators or use them with caution 1, 2.

A comprehensive respiratory protection program should include assignment of responsibility to designated personnel, written standard operating procedures, medical screening, training, fit testing, and proper maintenance and storage of respirators 1, 2, 3, 4.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires healthcare facilities that use respiratory protection to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive respiratory protection program that includes all workers who use respirators 7, 1.