Respirator Training & Fit Testing

BBRP 2600 - Traing Schedule

SRS conducts the hands-on fit testing and training that OSHA requires for the safe and effective use of common respirators e.g., N-95, half-face, full-face, Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).

Target Audience: All Students, Faculty or Staff that use respirators for protection from airborne contaminants or pathogens in their work environment.

Purpose: Promotion of safe and effective respirator use in order to minimize inhalation exposure to airborne contaminants or pathogens.

Content: Training focuses on how to properly fit, use and maintain respirators. This includes inspection, cleaning, cartridge replacement, storage and waste disposal of common respiratory protection equipment.

Pre-requisites:

  1. OSHA requires medical clearance prior to training and fit testing.
    • UNM and UNMH Staff/Faculty will need to bring documentation of your current medical clearance to wear a respirator, such as the completed "Medical Clearance for Respirator Use" form from Employee Occupational Health Service (EOHS). Please contact EOHS at 272-8043 to complete this requirement in advance of your desired training date.
    • UNM Students can contact Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) at 277-3136 to complete this requirement.
    • Trainees that cannot provide medical clearance documentation will not be fit tested.
    • If your N-95/PAPR medical clearance was performed before Jan. 1, 2005, you will need to be cleared again. If you were medically cleared after Jan. 1, 2005 you have current medical clearance unless you have had facial or dental surgery or have experienced dramatic weight gain or loss.
    • Half-face and full-face respirator medical clearance is required annually.
  2. OSHA requires respirators users to be clean shaven except for PAPR users.
    • Whiskers are course and will break the respirator seal on the face, and a poor seal allows air contaminants or pathogens to bypass the respirator and be inhaled. Facial growth of more than 24 hours will prevent successful respirator testing and use.
    • Those with permanent beards will be trained to use a PAPR.

If you have questions related to respirator training, or to set up or find a group training date/time that works for you, please contact Mark Denis at 277-0306 or mdenis@unm.edu.