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709 Personal Protective Equipment
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Medical Evaluation

Using a respirator may place a physiological burden on employees that varies with the type of respirator worn, the job and workplace conditions in which the respirator is used, and the medical status of the employee.

Maintaining Respirators

The employer must provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator before the employee undergoes fit testing or is required to use the respirator in the workplace. Medical evaluations for an employee can be stopped when the employee no longer needs to use a respirator.

Medical Evaluation Procedures

The employer must identify a physician or other licensed health care professional (PLHCP) to perform medical evaluations. These evaluations can be conducted using a medical questionnaire or through an initial medical examination that gathers the same information as the questionnaire.

The medical evaluation must obtain the information requested by the questionnaire in Sections 1 and 2, Part A of Appendix C of the standard.

Follow-up Medical Examination

The employer must ensure that a follow-up medical examination is provided for an employee who gives a positive response to any question among questions 1 through 8 in Section 2, Part A of Appendix C of the standard or whose initial medical examination demonstrates the need for a follow-up medical examination.

The follow-up medical examination must include any medical tests, consultations, or diagnostic procedures that the PLHCP deems necessary to make a final determination.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

4-11. When is the employer required to provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator?