Respirators

Respiratory Protection Program

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires employers to establish procedures for properly using respirators to minimize employee exposure to workplace contaminants. The ASU Respiratory Protection Program plan outlines these procedures to protect employees from respiratory hazards. Please refer to the program for further details.

Respirators protect against infectious droplets and hazardous particles. Protection needs vary by environment, so using the correct covering is essential. Contact Employee Health for information on the use of respirators that require medical clearance and fit testing.

If your job requires you to use a respirator based on exposure or risk assessment, you must obtain a medical clearance and a fit test. Fit testing is an annual requirement per OSHA. The type of exposure determines the type of respirator. For assistance in determining the type of respirator needed, please contact your supervisor. You may also email EHS or call 480-965-1823 for assistance. 

Follow these steps to complete a respirator fit test:

1. Read and complete the Employee respiratory protection medical evaluation and send it to ASU Employee Health following the instructions in the questionnaire. Please coordinate with your department for the cost center and program code for charges associated with the fit testing. Please review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention infographic regarding styles of facial hair permitted for a fit test and respirator use. 
2. Upon receipt and medical clearance for respirator use, please call the Employee Health clinic to schedule your fit test at 602-496-1917. Fit tests are performed at the ASU Employee Health clinic.
3. Please bring your cost center and program code for charges associated with the fit testing to your appointment. This is required for fit testing. Fit tests take approximately 15 minutes to complete for an N95 and 30 minutes for a full-face or half-face respirator.

• N95 respirator: $25
• Full- or half-face respirator: $50.

Voluntary respirator use requires individuals to watch the OSHA Mandatory Information for Employees Using Respirators When Not Required Under Standard and the Donning and Doffing an N95 videos.