Millions of workers in a wide range of occupations are required to wear respirators while performing various tasks. To promote proper respiratory protection practices, Respiratory Protection Week is observed annually in the United States. For 2022, the event takes place from September 6th through the 9th.
For the past four years, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has promoted Respiratory Protection Week. According to the NIOSH, respiratory protection has always been a key component of personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep individuals safe from workplace airborne hazards. This has been especially true in recent years due to the pandemic. More people are now aware of just how important the proper use of respirators can be for the health and safety of workers, especially N95 respirators for those in the healthcare industry.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that respirators protect the user in two basic ways. The first is by the removal of contaminants from the air. Respirators of this type include particulate respirators, which filter out airborne particles, and air-purifying respirators with cartridges/canisters which filter out chemicals and gases. Other respirators protect by supplying clean respirable air from another source. Respirators that fall into this category include airline respirators, which use compressed air from a remote source, and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which include their own air supply.
“Proper respiratory protection can prevent occupational illnesses and deaths,” said Frank Selamie, President of CTSI. “It also helps to create a culture of safety at work which has been shown to reduce costs, raise productivity, and improve morale. Unfortunately, respiratory protection is one of OSHA's 10 most frequently cited safety and health violations, year after year. For 2021, it was the second most frequently cited standard. At CTSI, our industrial hygiene, infection control, and air quality experts support the efforts of Respiratory Protection Week. We offer consulting, training, testing, and monitoring services to help companies and institutions comply with OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standards. Respiratory mask fit testing, assessing engineering controls, employee hazard communications, and compliance and management system audits all help to create a safer work environment.”
CTSI recently sponsored an educational video about Respiratory Protection Week that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/S2bve-BXW78
To learn more about CTSI's industrial hygiene, infection control, environmental, health, and safety services, please visit www.ctsiweb.com, email contactus@ctsiweb.com, or call (212) 971-7016.
About CTSI
Established in 1992, Consulting & Testing Services, Inc. (CTSI) was founded on one strong commitment: to provide efficient and expert services to clients based on professionalism, innovation, and cost-effective expert solutions. This commitment has been furthered with CTSI's reputation in fostering client relationships in all sectors of the Environmental, Health, Safety, and Construction industries. CTSI prides itself in utilizing a high quality service based on its diverse team of staff and professionals' concise recommendations and solutions to the most pressing dilemmas. The company operates offices in New York and Florida that service clients across the United States.
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