Respirator Medical Approval (RMA)

Beacon can provide services to ensure compliance with 29 CFR 1910.134 medical surviellance and fit testing requirements.  OSHA requires employers to "provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace."

Beacon follows the OSHA guidelines and reviews the respiratory medical questionnaire with the employee one-on-one to ensure the employee understands its content.  It is Beacon's policy to perform a baseline pulmonary function test (PFT) and a brief physical assessment when the medical questionnaire if completed.   Beacon provides a written recommendation regarding the employee's ability to wear the respirator.  This written recommendation identifies any limitations on respirator use relating to the medical condition of the employee, or to the workplace conditions in which the respirator will be used.

Respirator Fit Testing

OSHA 29 CFR 1920.134 states, "before an employee may be required to use a respirator with a negative or positive pressure tight-fitting face piece, the employee must be fit tested with the same make, model, style, and size of respirator".  Beacon conducts all required fit testing quantitatively; using the OSHA approved PortaCount manufactured by TSI.  All fit tests are completed on-site or at one of Beacon's clinic locations with one-on-one training and review of the mask.  A mask review checklist, signed by the employee and the fit testing technician, is provided to the client upon completion of the testing.

Beacon can support companies with the development of a written respiratory protection program, respiratory protection training and the required respiratory medical surviellance.  Call today to learn more.