Skip Maine state header navigation

State Search:

Agencies | Online Services | Help

Page Tools Page Tools Email page Map addresses En español En français English

Compliance Directive

Directive Number: 8-05
Effective Date: April, 2005
Subject: Public Sector Respiratory Protection Standard

Purpose: The purpose of this Compliance Document is to define the 29 CFR 1910.134 (e) and Appendix C, Medical Evaluation and Medical Questionnaire.

Medical Evaluation - This section of the standard specifies the minimum requirements for medical evaluations that the employers must implement. Once the medical evaluation is completed by the employee, it should be sent to the physician or other licensed health care professional (PLHCP).

The employer must also submit to the PLHCP the following information before the PLHCP makes a recommendation concerning the employee's ability to use a respirator.

• The type and weight of the respirator to be used by the employee;
• The duration and frequency of respirator use (including those used for rescue or escape);
• The expected physical work effort;
• Additional protective clothing and equipment to be worn;
• Temperature and humidity extremes that may be encountered; and
• A copy of the employer's respiratory protection program and a copy of this section of the standard (29CFR1910.134 plus Maine Amendment).

The Board of Occupational Safety and Health, in concert with this standard, can not dictate what test procedures are to be followed or how the PLHCP will perform the evaluation to determine the employee's ability to wear a respirator. It will be the responsibility of the PLHCP to evaluate and determine the employee's ability to wear a respirator.

Medical Determination - The medical determination shall be used to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator. To that end, the employer shall obtain a recommendation, in writing, regarding the employee's ability to use the respirator from the physician or other licensed health care professional. In the State of Maine, a PLHCP is a physician or registered nurse.

Any limitations of respirator use will be based on the medical condition of the employee, or relating to the workplace conditions in which the respirator will be used, including whether or not the employee is medically able to wear the respirator.