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OSHA and MIOSHA
Scrap Annual Respirator Fit Test Requirement for TB Until 9/30/06
During fiscal year 2005,
OSHA and MIOSHA delayed the requirement for annual fit testing
of respirators for occupational exposure to tuberculosis (TB).
Both OSHA and MIOSHA have extended the delay through fiscal year
2006, from October 1, 2005, to September 30, 2006. This action
by MIOSHA follows the lead of federal OSHA, who received this
direction from the United States Congress.
During FY 2006, employers may not be cited for the requirement
to do annual fit testing of respirators for occupational exposure
to TB. No other provisions of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 and MIOSHA
Part 451, Respiratory Protection, are affected by this restriction.
OSHA and MIOSHA will continue to cite the remainder of the Respiratory
Protection Standard as it relates to respirators, including the
provisions for an initial fit testing, or whenever a different
respirator facepiece is used, or when facial changes could affect
the proper fit of the respirator.
In addition, the restriction affects only annual fit testing
of respirators used for protection against TB. All requirements
of the respiratory protection standard, including annual fit
testing, will continue to be cited for respirator use against
other hazards.
In addition to the requirements of the respiratory protection
standard, employee exposures to TB in Michigan are also addressed
by MIOSHA Instruction GISHD-COM-05-2, Enforcement
Policy and Procedures for Evaluating Occupational Exposure to
Tuberculosis (TB). This instruction provides guidance on
agency expectations for employers based on industry recognition
that exposure to TB is a recognized hazard. OSHA has a similar
policy, CPL 2.106 - Enforcement Procedures
and Scheduling for Occupational Exposure to Tuberculosis.
OSHA and MIOSHA will continue its current enforcement policy
of this instruction, through the General Duty Clause, when an
employer has a confirmed or suspected case of TB and is not adequately
addressing the hazard.
Occupational exposure to TB is a serious and recognized hazard,
and feasible abatement methods exist. OSHA and MIOSHA's instruction
for TB exposure control methods is based on the CDC's 1994 "Guidelines
for Preventing the Transmission of Tuberculosis in Health-Care
Facilities."
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