The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued interim enforcement guidance to help combat supply shortages of disposable N95 filtering face piece respirators (N95 FFRs).
Due to the impact on workplace conditions caused by limited supplies of N95 FFRs, OSHA says employers should reassess engineering controls, work practices, and administrative controls to identify any changes that could decrease the need for N95 respirators. Employers may consider use of alternative classes of respirators that provide equal or greater protection compared to an N95 FFR.
Alternatives include National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved, non-disposable, elastomeric respirators or powered, air-purifying respirators. When these alternatives are not available, or where their use creates additional safety or health hazards, employers may consider extended use or reuse of N95 FFRs, or use of N95 FFRs that were approved but have since passed the manufacturer’s recommended shelf life, under specified conditions.
This interim guidance will take effect immediately and remain in effect until further notice, OSHA says.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Feb 21, 2018
FEMA document provides simplified seismic design provisions for low-hazard regions
Forty four states have areas defined as low-hazard.
Codes and Standards | Feb 20, 2018
Federal budget includes disaster mitigation provisions
Bipartisan bill encourages states to adopt latest building codes.
Codes and Standards | Feb 19, 2018
Easy access to indoor environment controls yields improved efficiency and workplace productivity
JLL/Purdue University project is developing algorithms to improve indoor comfort.
Codes and Standards | Feb 14, 2018
After Energy Star stopped certifying medical properties, a REIT developed its own certification
Welltower uses internal system to evaluate total building performance.
Codes and Standards | Feb 13, 2018
Rezoning, innovative investor enabling development of a “metroburb” in New Jersey
Indoor mixed-use “Main Street” blossoms in giant former Bell Labs building.
Codes and Standards | Feb 12, 2018
Publication provides insight into managing risk of wind-borne debris damage
Explains how models and data are used to assess the risk of structural damage.
Codes and Standards | Feb 8, 2018
EPA’s Water of the U.S. rule delayed for two years while repeal sought
Controversial Obama-era regulation may never be implemented.
Codes and Standards | Feb 5, 2018
Astrophysicist turns his skills toward identifying and predicting location of vacant buildings
Project could help Baltimore and other cities redevelop blighted properties.
Codes and Standards | Feb 5, 2018
Denver’s new green roof mandate raises implementation policies
Voter initiative left many details undecided.
Codes and Standards | Feb 2, 2018
How workplace design can position financial services companies for success
HOK report examines forces reshaping industry.
