Employee Guidance for Mandatory Use of Respirators for High and Very High Exposure Risk Occupations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines various levels of risk for exposure to pandemic influenza in the workplace. High and very high exposure risks are described as:

High exposure risk occupations are those with high potential for exposure to known or suspected sources of pandemic influenza virus.  This would include treating persons who are suspected to have 2009-H1N1.

Very high exposure risk occupations are those with high potential exposure to high concentrations of known or suspected sources of pandemic influenza during specific medical or laboratory procedures.  

The use of N-95 respirators is required for DHS employees in high and very high exposure risk occupations, when other control measures cannot be employed or are not adequate to address exposures.    

General Requirements

• Only a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved respirator may be used;
• A NIOSH approval label will appear on or in the respirator packaging. Read and follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer about the use, maintenance, and warnings regarding the respirator’s limitations.
• Do not use a N95 for other tasks unless the task has been evaluated by a safety and health professional.
• Only one person should use a single N95 respirator; do not share respirators.

Respirator Fit-testing

The purpose of respirator fit testing is to verify that the selected make, model and size of the respirator facepiece adequately accommodates an individual's facial characteristics, and that the wearer can don the facepiece properly and can achieve the anticipated protection during use. 

Fit testing is required for employees required to use N-95 respirators. Fit testing will not be done until employees receive medical clearance. Fit testing will be done by an individual trained in fit testing, with knowledge of requirements for the proper care and the storage of N-95 respirators. 

Employees will be fit tested with the make, model, and size of respirator that they will actually wear. Employees will be provided with alternative models and sizes of respirators so that they may choose the one that provides the optimal fit.

If you have facial hair, you may not be able to wear an N-95 respirator.  The edge of a respirator must form a tight seal against your skin.  If the edge of a respirator rests on facial hair, contaminants can leak into the respirator.  You must shave off any facial hair that touches the edge of the respirator.  Training will be provided through your safety and health office on the use of N-95 respirators.

For more information on mandatory use, or on fit testing, go to OSHA.gov. Employees wishing to request an accommodation for religious or disability-related reasons should contact their component's EEO Office, or support component employees should contact the Department of Homeland Security's Headquarters EEO Office.

Components may consider incorporating additional or existing protective measures in their internal guidance if it has been determined through an occupational exposure risk assessment by the Component Occupational Safety and Health Office, in consultation with supervisors, that personnel are at a higher risk due to the nature of required work activities and/or the work environment. Such additional measures and controls should be communicated to employees in the context of the safety and health plan. Employees who wish to use personal protective equipment may do so as long as doing so does not create an adverse safety condition and the employee can still perform assigned duties.

This document provides general guidance only for employees covered by Title 5, United States Code, and does not, and is not intended to create or violate any legal rights.