What is a Respirator Medical Evaluation?
A worker must be medically cleared by a Physician or Other Licensed Health Care Professional (PLHCP) before being fit to wear a respirator. Medical clearance plays a critical role in the process as respirators can make breathing difficult. OSHA has designed a medical questionnaire to assist PLHCPs in determining who is medically cleared to wear a respirator and work safely.
The respiratory protection standard requires an initial medical evaluation to determine the employee’s ability to use a respirator before an employee is fitted or required to use the respirator in the workplace.
