Covid-19 compliant training
Due to the Covid-19 crisis, safety measures have been implemented by the CDC and other governing bodies, until an unknown future date. This includes 1 to 1 ratio practice with gloves, hand sanitizer and masks, which means no face to face practice with a training partner in close proximity (as is common). No mouth to mouth practice (if typically required for the specific course). Students are spaced out at a minimum of 6 feet from other students. Zoom (distance learning) training may be offered, depending on course type and requirements.
Zoom-based training
Some courses can be provided through the Zoom training option. Courses that do not require written test compliance. The equipment that is needed for the training (ie: Manikins, Epi-Pen trainers) are dropped off in advance to the student. The training is provided with the instructor supervising and offering encouragement and correction over the Zoom portal. This can be offered for individuals, we well as groups. Contact us for more info.
respirator fit testing
for
company
A medical questionnaire is required for fit testing. Below is a link to the 3M medical questionnaire. 2 free medical clearances when you sign up. $29 each. You are not charged until the staff member completes the evaluation. They must bring the certificate to the test, or you can print them all out from your 3M account. You will receive copies of all results.
Start the process today if possible. It may take them a business day to give you the 2 free. Have staff do their medical form ASAP, 2 days prior if possible. May take 24-48 hours for results (however most results are instant).
for
individuals
A medical questionnaire is required for fit testing. Below is a link to the 3M medical questionnaire. $29 each. You are not charged until you complete it. You must bring the medical clearance certificate to the test.
Start the process today, if possible. May take 24-48 hours for results (however most results are instant).
What is a Respirator Fit Test? Why might you need one?
If you/your employees work in a hazardous environment with harmful dusts, fumes, gases, etc., the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires them to wear respirators. A respirator protects the wearer against toxic atmospheres, allowing them to breathe with reduced exposure to respirable toxins. But before an employee uses a respirator, they must complete a medical examination and respirator fit test.
With new regulatory standards for silica exposure, more employees are now required to wear respirators. If you’re new to the process, or just need a refresher, here’s a brief overview of how to prepare for and what to expect with a respirator fit test.
What the Respirator Fit Test Covers
The respirator fit test will start with a medical evaluation before the actual fit testing can begin. After the evaluation is completed, a healthcare provider will review the completed questionnaire and provide the employee & employer with a written recommendation (if it is safe for the employee to wear a respirator, and any limitations. The fit test administrator does not require a specific certification, but they do need to be trained on how to conduct the test.
If the employee is cleared to wear a respirator, they will go through one of two fit tests: a qualitative fit test or a quantitative fit test. Currently, Enos CPR Services can only provide Qualitative Fit Tests.
What does a qualitative fit test cover?
A qualitative fit test (QLFT) can only be used to test negative pressure respirators and tight- fitting face pieces used with powered and atmosphere-supplying respirators. It is a pass/fail test that relies on the respirator user’s senses.
How to Prepare for a Respirator Fit Test
Before an employee starts their respirator fit test, there are a few items they need to prepare beforehand.
• Select a respirator. When choosing a respirator, employers should consider
what toxins the employee is exposed to, the concentration of the toxins, job
responsibilities, time spent exposed, and more. The equipment must be
NIOSH-certified. The employee will need to bring the chosen respirator to
their fit test. If they wear more than one mask, they will need to have all of
them available for the fit test.
• Bring protective equipment. If the employee wears any other personal
protective equipment (PPE) that could interfere with the respirator’s seal,
they must bring those items to the fit test. This can include safety glasses,
hearing protection, face shields, hard hats, and coveralls.
• Shave. Your male employees will need to be clean-shaven for their respirator
fit test. OSHA requires this because facial hair can interfere with a respirators fit.
• Complete a medical evaluation questionnaire. OSHA required a medical
evaluation before any employee can be fit-tested for a respirator. The
employee will need to complete an OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation
Questionnaire, which the employer is required to provide time for their
employee to complete. The employee needs to bring the completed
questionnaire to their respirator fit test, as it must be reviewed by a physician
or other licensed health care provider (PLHCP).
How to Prepare for a Respirator Fit Test
Before an employee starts their respirator fit test, there are a few items they need to prepare beforehand.
• Select a respirator. When choosing a
respirator, employers should consider what
toxins the employee is exposed to, the
concentration of the toxins, job
responsibilities, time spent exposed, and
more. The equipment must be NIOSH-
certified. The employee will need to bring
the chosen respirator to their fit test. If they
wear more than one mask, they will need to
have all of them available for the fit test.
• Bring protective equipment. If the employee
wears any other personal protective
equipment (PPE) that could interfere with
the respirator’s seal, they must bring those
items to the fit test. This can include safety
glasses, hearing protection, face shields, hard
hats, and coveralls.
• Shave. Your male employees will need to be
clean-shaven for their respirator fit test.
OSHA requires this because facial hair can
interfere with a respirators fit.
• Complete a medical evaluation
questionnaire. OSHA required a medical
evaluation before any employee can be fit-
tested for a respirator. The employee will
need to complete an OSHA Respirator
Medical Evaluation Questionnaire, which the
employer is required to provide time for their
employee to complete. The employee needs
to bring the completed questionnaire to
their respirator fit test, as it must be reviewed
by a physician or other licensed health care
provider (PLHCP).
There are four OSHA-accepted test agents:
• Isoamyl acetate
• Saccharin
• Bitrex®
• Irritant smoke
The respirator’s filter determines which agent is tested.
For the respirator fit test, the respirator user will perform seven exercises for one minute each:
• Normal breathing
• Deep breathing
• Moving head side to side
• Moving head up and down
• Bending over
• Talking
• Normal breathing again
If the worker doesn’t detect any odor or irritation during these exercises, the worker is safe to wear those specific respirator(s).
Mandatory OSHA Medical Clearance
Enos CPR has coordinated with 3M and Resp Safety to provide quality online Medical Clearance
3M Respirator Medical Questionnaire
$29 each staff member, the 1st 2 are free
Resp Safety Medical Questionnaire
$22 per individual, with discount for 5+ staff
Respirator General Information:
OSHA Respirator Protection Fact sheet
NIOSH/CDC Approved Respirators
General instructions for Disposable Respirators (N95)
Extended use & Limited Reuse of FFR (ie: N95) info
Construction:
Respiratory Hazards in Construction (Video)
OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction
Good Samaritan Laws
When an emergency happens, a Good Samaritan is a person who voluntarily tries to help, without expectation or compensation. Good Samaritan Laws are intended to protect those who offer assistance of any type from being held liable if their actions end up causing unintended harm, or the outcome is poor.
Without laws to protect people trying to help when a sudden emergency occurs, many would walk away, for fear of being sued (or worse). In many emergencies, a delay can mean the difference between life and death. Good Samaritan Laws are intended to encourage people to help each other in emergency situations, before EMS arrives, but also to act responsibly whenever doing so.
Texas Opioid Training Initiative (txoti.org)
Model Expanded Access to Emergency Opioid Antagonists Act | LAPPA
White House Releases State Model Law to Help Make Access to Naloxone Consistent Across the Country | ONDCP | The White House
In an effort to save lives, states have implemented laws to make it easier for first responders and the general public to obtain naloxone. Additionally, to encourage people to assist an individual who is or may be suffering an overdose, the majority of states also enacted laws which protect laypeople who administer naloxone, in good faith, in an emergency from civil and/or criminal liability 1. As of August 2020, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have some form of a naloxone access law. The laws vary significantly by state. The Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association (LAPPA) has undertaken an extensive research project to determine the current status of naloxone access laws throughout the United States, including the District of Columbia and all U.S. territories.
Texas protects its citizens through The Texas Good Samaritan Act.
The Act states: “a person who in good faith administers emergency care at the scene of an emergency or in a hospital is not liable in civil damages for an act performed during the emergency unless the act is willfully or wantonly negligent.”
This means is that if a person stops and renders aid in an emergency voluntarily (when there is no legal duty to do so), this “Good Samaritan” can’t be sued unless he or she was flagrantly negligent.
The Act offers significant protection to aid injured individuals in emergency, thereby encouraging citizens to attempt to care and protect one another from further injury by allowing them to make reasonable decisions in the moment on behalf of a victim (who may not be conscious, etc).
There are certain individuals the Act does not protect.
- Anyone who expects remuneration;
- Anyone who was at the scene of an emergency because they were soliciting business or a type of service;
- Anyone who regularly administers care professionally, such as individuals working in a hospital or ER; or
- An admitting or treating physician associated by the admitting physician of a patient bringing in a health-care liability claim.
Thereby, individuals who expect to be paid, and some other medical professionals are not protected by the Act.
CIVIL PRACTICE AND REMEDIES CODE CHAPTER 74. MEDICAL LIABILITY (texas.gov)