OSHA Withdraws Proposed Respirator Fit Testing Rule

摘要

OSHA recently withdrew a proposed rule that would have added quantitative fit-testing protocols to the agency's respiratory protection standard. As stated in the Jan. 21, 2010, Federal Register, the pro-rnposed rule would have revised Appendix A in the standard and cut the fit-testing time in half. According to the withdrawal notice, NIOSH found deficiencies in a study that supported the protocols. The agency found a low sensitivity value and insufficient evidence that the protocols would accurately determine fits for filtering face piece respirators.