Hi Glenda,

When I started my current job, 3 years ago, I was told a similar thing by our safety officers - their position was that respirators required special fits for each person and it was very difficult to monitor occasional users for proper use and placement on their face after initial training.  At my previous employer we had access to the training & use of respirators if we needed them.  

Can't help with regulations, but thought I'd share my experience.

Mary

>>> "Hoye, Glenda F. (Fka Hood)" <ghoye@iupui.edu> - 9/22/1999 10:15 AM >>>
Have the rulings changed? 
I have recently presented a lecture in our program about laboratory safety,
and one of the students' assignments included finding out, in their own
labs, what PPE's were available/required for certain tasks.
One of the students wrote that respirators are not available in her lab, and
that the supervisor told her that they are no longer required -- respirators
of any kind, for any task. Surely, I haven't missed a change that
drastic.......
Any of you safety "gurus" out there know anything about all this? I'd sure
like some input, and will pass along whatever new information you have to
the students in the training program.
Thanks in advance,
Glenda F. Hoye, B.S., HT(ASCP)
Histotechnology Program Director
Indiana University School of Allied Health Sciences
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5119
317-278-1599