OSHA mandates the use of N95 respirators in health care settings.

To prevent workplace exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the 2019 coronavirus sickness, healthcare employers must follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines (COVID-19).

Employers must create a complete respiratory protection policy in compliance with the Federal OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard when surgical N95 respirators are necessary to safeguard employees (29 CFR 1910.134). (Employers in California are required to follow the Cal/OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard (5144) and the Cal/OSHA Aerosol Infectious Disease (ATD) Standard (5199).)

What exactly is a surgical N95 mask?

Surgical  N95 respirators, often known as respirators, are disposable respiratory protective equipment worn by health care personnel during surgery to protect them from the transfer of pathogens, body fluids, and particulate matter. The surgical N95 mask is classified as a Class II medical device by the FDA under 21 CFR 878.4040 and must be certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) under 42 CFR Part 84.

The Surgical N95 mask filters at least 95% of very small (0.3 micron) test particles to avoid dangerous airborne contaminants such as dust, smoke, mist, and pathogens such as microbiological TB and viruses when used appropriately (the mask is tightly sealed to the user’s face). Surgical N95 masks are not intended for use with asbestos and do not protect against gases, vapors, or oil mist.

What are the OSHA requirements for respiratory protection?

When a surgical N95 mask is essential for employee safety, the business must also have a written respiratory protection plan that addresses:

Procedures for selecting respirators for workplace use. NIOSH must approve surgical N95 masks. [I] Check the NIOSH logo and test and Certification approval number or TC number to check if your respirator is NIOSH approved. The logo and TC number can be found on the respirator’s packaging or on the user instruction centerfold, and they can also be located directly on a respirator component, such as a filter or cartridge. If the respirator is not NIOSH certified, do not use it in hazardous regions.

Medical evaluation/approval is required to assess whether the user is medically fit to wear a respirator.

Staff training (both initial and annual) to ensure that users understand the surgical N95 respirator, its proper usage, wearing procedures, and protective limits.
Initial and annual qualitative or quantitative fit tests are performed to determine which respirator model/size best fits the user. [ii] See OSHA’s video on how to perform fitness exams for more information.
Cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, disposing, and other maintenance procedures for respirators.

What more should mask wearers do to stay safe?

The N95 surgical mask’s efficiency is determined by how well it seals the user’s face. To guarantee that the surgical N95 respirator works well, the user should be advised to do the following:
Only use respirator models and sizes that have been fitness-tested. Inadequate protection might result from ineffective coordination.

Do not use the respirator if you have beards or other facial hair that could get in the way of direct contact between your face and the sealed surface of the respirator.

Every time you put on the mask, check the seal (before entering the dangerous area).

If the respirator is damaged, filthy, or causing problems, they must leave the work area immediately (breathing becomes difficult, dizzy, irritated, etc.).

Can N95 surgical masks be reused?

All N95 respirator approved by the FDA are designated as “disposable.” If the respirator gets damaged or filthy, or if breathing becomes difficult, the user should remove the mask, properly destroy it, and replace it. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believes that in times of crisis, such as supply shortages during a pandemic, cleaning and reuse of N95 masks should be considered as a crisis capacity option to assure sustained supply. For more information, see the CDC’s Strategy for Optimizing N95 Respirator Supply During COVID-19 Response. When you’re ready to get rid of the N95 respirator, put it in a plastic bag and throw it away. After handling/wearing a respirator, practice good hand hygiene.

There are standards for surgical masks, N95 plus surgical mask

• ASTM Mask Level 1
  low barrier protection
• ASTM Mask Level 2
  moderate barrier protection
• ASTM Mask Level 3
  maximum barrier protection