The respiratory protection program makes sure that appropriate respiratory protection is provided to faculty, staff and students who may be exposed to an atmosphere that is contaminated with harmful dusts, fibers, fumes, mists, gasses, vapors, smoke or biological agents of which engineering controls are not feasible or adequate to control employee exposures. The respiratory protection program complies with the Occupational Health and Safety Respiratory Protection Standard.

Faculty, staff and students should use a respirator to perform assigned work tasks or projects because of a potential exposure risk or as directed by IACUC/IBC or departmental control. Only applicable and suitable respirators suitable for the intended purpose should be used. 

Learn more about the Respiratory Protection Program. [PDF]

Respiratory Hazard Assessment

A respiratory hazard assessment of the work area should be conducted by the department supervisor in consultation with an VCU Occupational Health and Safety industrial hygienist. 

If you think you work in an environment that requires respiratory protection, please complete the IH Services Request Form to begin the Respiratory Hazard Assessment process.

Medical Evaluations

Once a respiratory hazard assessment has been completed, each exposed individual must to undergo a medical evaluation to make sure that they are medically able to wear a respirator. The use of a respirator places unusual stress on the wearer to the extent that employees entering the program must be evaluated by a physician or licensed healthcare professional. After being medically cleared, the respirator wearer participate in fit testing.

Fit Testing

There are several different brands and models of respirators, and one type and size does not fit every user. Respirator wearers that rely on a tight-fitting facepiece (mask-to-face seal) must be fit tested before initial use and annually thereafter. Fit testing is also required when a change in the facial structure of a wearer occurs or if a different make/model of respirator is purchased.