A6: The Global State of Respiratory Protection

Kansas City Convention Center 

Room: 3501 H 

CM Credit Hours: 1 

Respiratory protection (RP) is vital to the health of millions of workers around the world. The pandemic exposed a global gap in public health policy and regulation for the general public use of RP. This is an opportunity to discuss issues facing the globalization of RP selection and use. The language surrounding RP can be confusing. Different countries have and are implementing conflicting standards. This can result in: 1) different ways of classifying RP and the level of protection it provides; 2) contrasting workplace exposure limits impacting RP selection; 3) divergent means of evaluating the capabilities of a fit-test administrator; 4) differing means of setting a reference passing fit factor; and 5) dissimilar approved protocols. Such challenges present an existing barrier to the use of RP in the workplace. But it is likely to have a heavier impact in the use of RP by the general public. It is also an issue facing any company with a respiratory protection program that is, or may be considering, operating on a global scale.

Upon completion, the participant will be able to:

• Identify key global respiratory protection standards and guidelines.
• Assess the evolution of respiratory protection.
• Examine emerging trends in respiratory protection.
• Evaluate respiratory protection programs and best practices.
• Address cross-border regulatory compliance and harmonization.
 

Intermediate

Polling

Q&A

Quiz

Small Group Discussion

Academia/Education

All Industries

Available as part of AIHA Connect OnDemand

Enhancing OEHS Communication Skills

Respiratory Protection

Standards, Regulations and Legal Issues