Fit testing must be conducted annually.
The decision about the frequency for the medical questionnaire should be made by your Physician or other licensed health care professional (PLHCP).
In a Q&A document published by OSHA (https://www.osha.gov/qna.pdf), here is some info about frequency of conducting the medical questionnaire:
The final standard does not automatically require periodic medical reevaluation. It is
critical, however, that the PLHCP address this issue in their medical opinion. If there is an
underlying medical concern that requires periodic medical reevaluation, it must be
included in the written medical opinion so that the employee can be monitored in the
future by the PLHCP.
So, I think whoever told you that 3 years was an appropriate period for re-evaluation was not following the standard. The period for re-evaluation could be more frequent for some employees and less frequent
for others.
Some PLHCPs recommend at least every 3 years for most employees, but may recommend more frequent time periods for a few employees whose health or other conditions warrant it. But it should be your PLHCP who
makes the determination for employees – not some random outside person – even if they’re from OSHA (!).
Lisa
Lisa M Brosseau, ScD, CIH
Professor
University of Illinois at Chicago
School of Public Health, Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
312-413-5185
From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces@mylist.net]
On Behalf Of Edward, Meg E
Sent: Wednesday, November 1, 2017 10:11 AM
To: MCOH/EH <mcoh-eh@mylist.net>
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] RFT
Cathy,
Are you saying that it was acceptable to do questionnaires every 3 years but still fit test annually?
Thanks.
Meg E. Edward, RN BSN |Nurse Coordinator, Employee and Occupational HealthServices|Human Resources|Lifespan
Tel: 401-845-1245 |Fax:
401-848-6040|medward@lifespan.org |www.lifespan.org
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From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces+medward=lifespan.org@mylist.net]
On Behalf Of Senior, Cathy (Employee Health)
Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2017 10:35 AM
To: MCOH/EH <mcoh-eh@mylist.net>
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] RFT
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We do annual mandatories for training. I was sending out the questionnaires annually but last month I went to an OSHA seminar and asked how often It was required. The presenter which was a
field inspector took my information and ask that I send him the form I was using and he would get me an answer. I received confirmation via e-mail that every three years would be sufficient.
Cathy Senior RN BSN CDE
Employee Health Director
Penn Highlands DuBois
100 Hospital Avenue
P.O. Box 447
DuBois Pa 15801
Phone 814-375-3392
Fax 814-372-2610
From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces@mylist.net]
On Behalf Of TePoel, Debra A
Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2017 10:22 AM
To: MCOH/EH <mcoh-eh@mylist.net>
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] RFT
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- PH IT Support
Cathy,
How do you annually manage training for the PAPR’s?
Also do you have employees complete an annual or baseline medical clearance questionnaire?
Thanks,
Deb TePoel, RN, BSN
RN Clinician • Employee Occupational Health • United Hospital • Allina Health
Phone: 651-241-5637 • Fax: 651-241-7192
•
mailto:debra.tepoel@allina.com
Mail Route 61811 •280 N. Smith Ave. #811 • St. Paul, MN 55102
From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces@mylist.net]
On Behalf Of Senior, Cathy (Employee Health)
Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2017 9:18 AM
To: mcoh-eh@mylist.net
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] RFT
We switched from N95 to PAPR”S in 2009. We only fit test those units that cannot use the PAPR”S due to sterility such as the OR which must use the N95 mask.
Cathy Senior RN BSN CDE
Employee Health Director
Penn Highlands DuBois
100 Hospital Avenue
P.O. Box 447
DuBois Pa 15801
Phone 814-375-3392
Fax 814-372-2610
From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces+cesenior=phhealthcare.org@mylist.net]
On Behalf Of Massey-Jenkins, Angela
Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2017 9:33 AM
To: mcoh-eh@mylist.net
Subject: [MCOH-EH] RFT
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- PH IT Support
I wanted to submit a question in regards to Respiratory Fit testing:
We are a very large organization and considering switching from N-95’s to PAPRs for active cases of TB in the hospital.
Are any organizations currently using the N-95’s and considering moving to PAPR’s, or have already made the switch?
How does your organization determine who gets fit tested or instructed on the PAPR? We are finding that most employees, when asked to put the N-95 mask on, aren’t putting it on correctly, giving the employee a false sense of protection,
and thinking of switching to PAPRs.
Angela Massey-Jenkins BSN, RN
Nurse Coordinator
IU Health Occupational Health Services
317.962.2563 I 317.407.0749 (cell) I 317.962.8349 (fax)
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