Many staff members working in medicine and on campus are required to wear appropriate breathing apparatus to complete their work. Before protecting respirators, they must be medically cleared, trained in suitability, and proper use. Employees should not be assigned tasks that require the use of a respirator until they have successfully completed the following steps:
Obtain medical clearance from Occupational Health Services
OHS manages this for Michigan Medicine and designated campus staff.
If you have successfully passed a test or training and are working on a powered air clearance respirator, OHS will only complete physical fitness tests and PAPR training for Michigan medical personnel and designated campus personnel.
Most of the campus staff are evaluated and/or trained by EHS. Employees working in hazardous areas may require additional Respirator Medical Clearance, testing, and/or training. Consult your supervisor for more information. Employees are enrolled in a respiratory protection program based on the needs and wishes of the department in which they work.
Respiratory Protection Program
Once an employee enrolls in a respiratory protection program, the employee receives an email from the OHS system advising them that respiratory protection must be medically examined, tested, and trained annually. The email provides instructions on meeting all requirements to ensure compliance, when the appropriate proficiency testing time is offered, the appropriate hours of operation at each relevant test site, and whether the location of the test site is required or if it is an outpatient clinic.
For more information, see 05-01-003 Michigan Medicine Respiratory Protection Policy and Procedure. Respiratory training is completed after the hiring of new staff and through an annual teacher-led course. There are different types of respirators. The primary respirator used in Michigan Medicine is the N95 respirator. Employees not using the N95 or complying with the N95 will be trained to use the PAPR device.
Structure
A fit test for N-95 has performed annually, but only if employees make radical changes to facial structure due to weight loss or gain, tooth change, facial scars, facial surgery, or other conditions that interfere with sealing. facial. To pass the retest, they must return to OHS. This ensures that employees always adapt well. For more information, see OSHA Part 451 or Michigan Medicine's Respiratory Protection Policy and Procedure, 05-01-003.
When you come in for the exam, prepare based on the following information: All required documents must be completed prior to your visit to OHS. Do not eat or drink anything for 15 minutes before the test. The fit test takes about 20 minutes but may take longer depending on medical permission and other factors.
Verdict
If an employee does not pass the N-95 test, he will be trained in the use of PAPR. Some of the reasons an employee may not be N95 compliant include facial hair, changes in body composition, changes in teeth, and more. Employees who fail the N95 test will receive PAPR training. Employees must bring the UMID to the designated location.