Guidance for Respirators

Image of two white, N95 face masks displaying a warning message about proper fit

New OSHA Guidance on Respirators

OSHA has issued new temporary guidance for enforcing initial and annual fit-testing requirements related to tight-fitting, powered, air-purifying respirators. The action marks OSHA’s latest step to ensure the availability of respirators and follows the Presidential Memorandum on Making General Use Respirators Available.

A "fit test" tests the seal between the respirator's facepiece and a worker's face. The new enforcement discretion policy, announced on October 2, 2020, permits the use of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved, tight-fitting, powered, air-purifying respirators for protection against the coronavirus when initial or annual fit testing is infeasible due to respirator and fit-testing supply shortages.

The guidance applies to healthcare personnel and other workers in high- or very high-exposure risk activities. The guidance does not apply to powered, air-purifying respirators that:

Have not been approved by NIOSH
Are used by any workers with low- or medium-exposure risk to the coronavirus
Are used by any workers for protection against airborne hazards other than the coronavirus, such as chemical hazards
Are loose-fitting and do not require fit testing

For employees who require respiratory protection, employers may consider alternative classes of respirators that provide equal or greater protection compared to an N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirator. These include N99, N100, R95, R99, R100, P95, P99, and P100 respirators and NIOSH-approved, non-disposable elastomeric respirators or powered, air-purifying respirators, either loose-fitting or tight-fitting.

Understanding Compliance

OSHA issued Understanding Compliance with OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic to help employers understand and comply with OSHA’s temporary enforcement guidance for the standard (29 CFR § 1910.134).

OSHA said this interim guidance, which is time-limited to the current public health crisis, takes effect immediately and remains in effect until further notice. Visit OSHA’s Coronavirus webpage for updates.