A. Scheduling: Supervisors of work groups utilizing respiratory protective devices will coordinate the scheduling of initial and annual respirator use pulmonary evaluations with SLCC's MP.
B. Employee Complete Form: The employee will complete the "employee" portion of the Respiratory Use Pulmonary Health Evaluation Form upon arrival at the clinic.
C. Review: SLCC's MP will review the health history and conduct a PFT if appropriate.
D. Evaluate: SLCC's MP will evaluate the results of the PFT and determine the employee's ability or inability to work while using respiratory protective devices in accordance with NIOSH recommended pulmonary fitness standards as adopted for SLCC's Respiratory Fitness Evaluation Program and set forth below:
1. Forced vital capacity (FVC):
•Pass - FVC of 66% or greater of the predicted value;
•Fail - FVC is less than 66% of the predicted value.
2. Ratio of the forced expiratory volume in one second divided by the forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC):
•Pass - FEV1/FVC is 0.61 or greater;
•Fail - FEV1/FVC is less than 0.61.
3. Other NIOSH recommended consideration factors include history of spontaneous pneumothorax; claustrophobia/anxiety reaction; use of contact lens; moderate or severe pulmonary disease; angina pectoris; significant arrhythmias; recent myocardial infarction; symptomatic or uncontrolled hypertension; etc.
E. Results; Issuance, Denial: Based upon the results of the pulmonary health evaluation, the City's medical provider will either:
1. Sign and date the respirator use pulmonary health evaluation form stating that the employee has met the requirements specified above and then issue a respiratory fitness card and evaluation form to the employee; or
2. Sign and date the respirator use pulmonary health evaluation form, and issue a letter to the designated department representative stating that the employee did not meet the requirements specified above, along with a letter to the employee addressing any possible medical conditions. This letter will serve as a notice to the employee that he/she has or may have a medical condition which may affect his/her functional ability to safely utilize respiratory protective devices.
F. Fit Respirator: It will be the department's designated respirator fit tester's responsibility, after observing employee's respiratory fitness card, to fit test the employee for the appropriate respirator(s), and determine their final ability or inability to use the respirator(s) on the job. (2019 Compilation)