USA - Additional PortaCount Quantitative Fit-Testing Protocols: Amendment to Respiratory Protection Standard

Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Department of Labor is proposing to add two modified PortaCount® quantitative fit-testing protocols to its Respiratory Protection Standard. The proposed protocols would apply to employers in general industry, shipyard employment, and the construction industry. Both proposed protocols are variations of the existing OSHA-accepted PortaCount® protocol, but differ from it by the exercise sets, exercise duration, and sampling sequence. If approved, the modified PortaCount® protocols would be alternatives to the existing quantitative fit-testing protocols already listed in an appendix of the Respiratory Protection Standard. In addition, OSHA is proposing to amend an appendix to clarify that PortaCount® fit test devices equipped with the N95-CompanionTM Technology are covered by the approved PortaCount® protocols.

Proposed date of adoption: To be determined

Proposed date of entry into force: To be determined

Final date for comments: 6 December 2016:

If the Proposal/Notification/Regulation will affect your International Business please send us your representation with facts and figures before 20 February 2016, so that these can be taken up suitably.