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, gases, vapors, smoke, or biological agents, for 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 respirators appropriate 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 a 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 undergo a medical evaluation to ensure 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 participates in fit testing.

Fit Testing

There are several brands and models of respirators, and no single type or size fits every user. Respirator wearers who 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 wearer's facial structure changes or when a different make/model of respirator is purchased.