[MCOH-EH] contractors and respiratory protection

[Mullinax, Ross A CDR USN DHA PORTSMOUTH NMC (USA)]

All,

Our organization has previously provided limited services to contract staff, including respirator exams and fit testing with the masks we have in inventory at our facilities, a single bloodborne pathogen exposure visit (in addition to the emergency evaluation immediately after the incident), and annual flu shots.  The new contracts are being written so that we provide essentially nothing to contract staff, and everything is the responsibility of the contracting agency.  In Occ Health we do a review of all contractor medical packages when they start, to ensure compliance with healthcare worker requirements and make sure that they aren't missing something (which they frequently are, such as an immunization or a QFT).  For others that do this at their institution, how are you validating that they are complying with the terms of their contract with regard to respiratory protection?

Are they provided with a list of masks available at your institution and asked to fit test with one from that list?
Are they just asked to fit test wherever they want and bring their own personal masks with them?
Are they just informed what the masks are at your facility, then let the contracting agency figure it out?

I have low confidence that the contracting agencies will due their due diligence to ensure their employees are protected in our facilities.  Looking to do what we can within the language of our written contract agreements to help ensure that our contract staff are adequately protected.  Appreciate any thoughts or advice that others may have on this issue.

V/r,

Ross A. Mullinax, MD, MPH
CDR, MC, USN
Director for Public Health
Head, Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth

Email: ross.a.mullinax.mil at health.mil<mailto:ross.a.mullinax.mil at health.mil>
Tel: 757-953-9703


V/r,

Ross A. Mullinax, MD, MPH
CDR, MC, USN
Director for Public Health
Head, Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth

Email: ross.a.mullinax.mil at health.mil
Tel: 757-953-9703

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