Significance and Use
4.1 This practice provides information and guidance to PLHCPs to assist them in determining the medical suitability of personnel for respirator use. It identifies the responsibility of management to provide the PLHCP with supplemental information before the PLHCP makes a recommendation concerning an employee’s ability to use a respirator (9.1). Evaluators shall use their clinical judgment in the application of these guidelines and require additional information or evaluation as necessary to permit certification or classification for respirator use.
4.2 Shall and Should—The provisions of this practice are mandatory in nature when the word “shall” is used and advisory in nature when the word “should” is used.
4.3 Exceptions—Users of this practice should be aware that regulatory agencies may have requirements that are different from this practice.
Scope
1.1 This practice provides information that is useful for the medical evaluation of respirator users.
1.2 This practice does not deal with medical surveillance or biological exposure monitoring. It is understood that since local circumstances vary, no set of guidelines can cover all situations, and specific programs and procedures should be modified for each individual workplace. Medical evaluation is only one element of a complete respiratory protection program. A complete respiratory protection program is defined in Practice F3387.
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
