Completed
An estimated 20 million workers use personal protective equipment on a regular basis to protect themselves from job hazards. At NIOSH’s request, a committee of the IOM will host a workshop that brings together user groups, manufacturer representatives, and government personnel to discuss the need and possible next steps for developing a performance standard for combination unit respirators. The report will highlight the presentations and discussion of the workshop, and address research questions outlined in the statement of task.
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Workshop_in_brief
·2015
On April 30, 2015, the Institute of Medicine convened the public workshop "Developing a Performance Standard for Combination Unit Respirators." An estimated 20 million workers use personal protective equipment on a regular basis to protect themselves from job hazards. The workshop brought together u...
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Description
An ad hoc committee will conduct a workshop to explore the following topics as they relate to the use of combination unit respirators and the development of a performance standard for this type of respirator. Questions to be addressed in the workshop include:
1. What combination unit respirator technology is currently available in the U.S.?
2. What are the primary user groups interested in using NIOSH-certified combination unit respirators? What are the anticipated hazardous atmospheres that each user group is expected to encounter or enter and how are they assessed?
3. How do current regulations limit the use of combination unit respirators by the identified user groups?
4. What regulatory options should NIOSH consider related to developing and adopting a NIOSH certification performance standard for combination unit respirators?
The committee will develop the agenda for the workshop, select and invite speakers and discussants, and moderate the discussions. An individually authored brief workshop summary of the presentations and discussions at the workshop will be prepared by a designated rapporteur in accordance with institutional guidelines.
Collaborators
Sponsors
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Major units and sub-units
Institute of Medicine
Lead
Board on Health Sciences Policy
Lead