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
| Aug 27, 2014
Houma, La., will tap FEMA grants to raise hurricane resilience standards on public buildings
The Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center and other public buildings in Houma, La., would be renovated to withstand Category 3 hurricane winds according to a plan being considered by the Parish Council.
| Aug 27, 2014
Napa Valley assesses impact of structural retrofits on buildings after earthquake
About 30 inspection teams of two inspectors each have conducted at least quick exterior inspections of downtown Napa, Calif., buildings since a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the region.
| Aug 27, 2014
Liberty Building Forensics cautions hotel building teams on moisture, mold issues
Liberty Building Forensics Group, a building forensics firm warned building teams working on hotel projects to be on guard against moisture intrusion and mold.
| Aug 27, 2014
Requirement for site safety inspectors hampering construction in New York City
New York City’s regulation that requires contractors to hire independent safety inspectors for job sites is holding up projects worth millions of dollars, contractors say.
| Aug 27, 2014
Turkish government orders demolition of residential towers in Istanbul
Citing negative effects to a world heritage site, the Turkish central government has ruled that the recently completed OnaltiDokuz Residence towers must be demolished.
| Aug 21, 2014
Industry groups agree to streamline green building tool coordination and development
Major building industry groups the International Code Council (ICC), ASHRAE, the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES), and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) have agreed to collaborate on the development of Standard 189.1, the International Green Construction Code (IgCC), and the LEED green building program.
| Aug 21, 2014
Performance-based zoning: U.S. cities starting to loosen zoning regulations
Driven by New Urbanism, more than two dozen communities in the U.S. have loosened zoning restrictions in recent years.
| Aug 21, 2014
Meeting to finalize amendments to green property underwriting standard
The National Public Meeting for Resiliency + Infrastructure Consensus Underwriting Standard Amendments will take place September 16, from 9 a.m.-12p.m. at Perkins+Will, 1250 24th St. NW, Washington, DC in the World Wildlife Fund Building.
| Aug 21, 2014
American Iron and Steel Institute revises 14 test standards
The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) published 14 revised test standards in its S900-series.
| Aug 14, 2014
Mississippi county rejects adoption of state building code
The county board of supervisors voted unanimously to opt out of the state building code.
