Respiratory Protection

Respiratory Protection Overview

At the University of Kentucky, the health and safety of our faculty, staff, and students is a top priority. When used correctly, respirators are a critical tool in preventing injuries and illnesses caused by inhalation of airborne contaminants such as dusts, vapors, and other aerosols.

Occupational Safety and Health are responsible for minimizing exposure to these hazards. Whenever engineering or administrative controls are not feasible or sufficient—or in emergency situations—respirators may be required to protect personnel from harmful airborne substances.

Respirators may be used voluntarily in the workplace or respirators may be required due to the potential for exposure to respiratory hazards. The process for identifying hazards, submitting a request to use respirators, medical clearance, training, and fit testing is described below.

Process

Note: It may take up to 3-4 weeks for new users to receive authorization to use respirators after a Respiratory Hazard Assessment Form is submitted to OHS. This delay is due to respirator request and medical clearance processing times, and training and fit testing completion times.

Supervisors/Employees complete a hazard assessment:  Respiratory Hazard Assessment Form
OHS will review respirator requests and conduct a respiratory hazard assessment, either for the general work environment or for a specific task.
Based on the hazard assessment, OHS will determine if respirator use is required or voluntary.
1. OHS may decide not to recommend respirators because exposures can be mitigated with other controls or work practices.
2. You may be part of an existing user group that has established required respiratory protection for certain work tasks.

Medical clearance is necessary before working in environments that require respirator use. Wearing a respirator can place added strain on the heart and lungs, and may also trigger feelings of anxiety or claustrophobia in some individuals.

Employee fills out the 2025 Respiratory Protection Request Form
Supervisor fills out the 2025 Medical Evaluation Form

3. Submit both forms from step 1 and 2 to employeehealth@uky.edu and University Services healthcare will review them.

Annual Renewal for Previously Approved Employees
If an employee was approved by University Health Services within the past three years and there have been no changes to their health status or job duties, they are only required to complete the Medical Renewal Form. If no changes are reported, the employee will not need to be seen by UHS again this year.

If you use respiratory protection in the workplace, you will receive training on the hazards, limitations and capabilities of the respirators assigned, and how to properly inspect, use, clean and store them.

Online training is available.

Complete the online Respirator Use training program.

For any job duties or positions that require the use of respiratory protection—whether due to potential or known exposures, regulatory requirements, or internal policies—the employee’s department must maintain a written Respiratory Protection Program.

A program template is available to assist in development; however, each department’s written plan must accurately reflect its unique operational conditions and respirator use requirements.

The program must be reviewed and updated annually, as needed.

Submit the Respiratory Protection Program to ohs@uky.edu.

Fit testing is a quantitative assessment conducted by Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) to determine whether a specific make, model, and size of respirator properly fits the wearer’s face. This testing ensures the respirator forms an effective seal, preventing leakage and providing the intended level of protection.

Even the most well-designed respirator will fail to protect the wearer if it does not fit correctly or is not worn properly. An improper fit can compromise the respirator’s effectiveness, rendering it inadequate in hazardous environments.

Key Requirements:

Annual Training and Fit Testing: Individuals required to wear a respirator must complete both training and fit testing every 12 months.
Tight-Fitting Respirators: If you are required to wear a tight-fitting respirator (e.g., N95 or half-face elastomeric respirator), you must be fit tested.
Facial Hair: Facial hair may interfere with the respirator’s seal. To ensure proper protection, individuals must be clean-shaven when wearing tight-fitting respirators.
Loose-Fitting Respirators: Loose-fitting respirators and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) do not require fit testing.
To schedule a fit test, contact ohs@uky.edu.

Process Overview

Voluntary Use of Respirators

The voluntary use of respirators applies only when it has been determined that

Such respirator use will not in itself create a hazard;
Airborne occupational exposures to hazardous chemicals do not exceed established WISHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL);
No airborne biological hazard is present; and
No specification standards require the mandatory use of respirators.

The employee must read and sign the Appendix D form for N95 filtering facepieces.

Personnel who voluntarily use a disposable filtering facepiece respirator are not required to get medical clearance, or participate in training and fit testing.

Personnel who wear a cloth face covering or medical/procedure mask are also not required to get medical clearance, or participate in training and fit testing.

However, if the employee opts to voluntarily wear a tight-fitting half-face or full-face respirator, then the medical evaluation requirement applies and the Appendix D form for Elastomeric Facepieces must be used.

Responsibilities

Identify, with assistance from OHS, personnel who may need respirators, facilitate medical evaluations, and schedule training and fit testing before beginning work activities requiring respirator use, and annually thereafter.
Submit a 2025 Respiratory Protection Request Form to OHS when respiratory hazards are first identified, when processes change that may impact respiratory hazards, and annually thereafter.
Request assistance from OHS in evaluating operations that may present health and safety hazards requiring the use of a respirator.
Purchase and maintain availability of appropriate respirators, replacement parts, cleaning and maintenance supplies, inserts and accessories.
Ensure compliance with the UK Respiratory Protection Program for personnel and equipment under their responsibility.
Ensure respirators are properly used and maintained, including following cartridge change-out schedules, as necessary.
Implement engineering and other controls when feasible.

Ensure only trained and authorized personnel perform work that requires respiratory protection.

Use only the brand, model, and size of respirator(s) for which the individual was trained and fitted.
Use the respirator only for the specific tasks that it was issued.
Use respirators for tasks when they are required.
Seek medical help if wearing a respirator creates negative health effects such as difficulty breathing, dizziness, or anxiety.
Care for and maintain respirators as instructed, including following the specific cartridge change-out schedule.
Notify the supervisor of any problems associated with using a respirator. This includes a respiratory hazard that needs further evaluation, if the respirator is not providing adequate protection, and any concerns with the UK Respiratory Protection Program.
Update respirator authorization by completing annual training and fit testing (recertification).
Report any concerns related to respirator use or respiratory hazards, and any changes in medical conditions to OHS.

Provide technical assistance to units in following the requirements of the UK Respiratory Protection Program.
Review completed Respirator Request Forms submitted by supervisors and employees. This completed form documents and serves as the respiratory hazard evaluation and is updated annually.
Conduct workplace assessments to identify hazards and recommend controls, including respirators.
Determine if respirator use is required or voluntary based on a hazard assessment and select appropriate respirators.
Determine and document respirator cartridge change-out schedules. Provide the schedule to and review with supervisors and respirator users.
Monitor respirator use to ensure respirators are used in accordance with their certifications.
Provide and/or oversee respirator training and fit testing.
Oversee the respirator medical evaluation process provided by UHS.

Monitor compliance of UK departments with respirator use and respirator users.

Services available

OHS provides the following services:

Hazard assessments, including site visits, risk assessment, and exposure assessments as needed
Respirator selection, including identifying correct cartridges and establishing a change-out schedule
Training, both in-person and online
Fit testing and hands-on training for respirator use
Initiating the medical clearance process

Contact Information

Please contact:

General Inquiries
Victoria Howell
Industrial Hygiene Manager
Email: victoria.howell@uky.edu
Urgent Fit Testing Questions
Justine Dziubla
Safety Specialist
Email: Justine.Dziubla@uky.edu
Urgent Respiratory Hazard Assessment Questions
Aaron Charles
Industrial Hygiene Specialist
Email: aaron.charles13@uky.edu

Respirators VS Surgical Masks
UK OHS Respiratory Protection Training
OSHA Respirator Selection and Cartridge Change Page
NIOSH Respirator Page
OSHA Respiratory Protection Page

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Exposure Control Devices

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Respiratory Protection