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SAFETY MOMENT, OCTOBER 6

Medical evaluation and fit test come first

See today's safety momentHow to give a safety moment

Safety moment, October 6

Medical evaluation and fit test come first

Dust, fumes, mists, gases and vapors can damage your lungs, sometimes without any warning you can see or smell. Controlling the hazard at the source comes first, with ventilation, water or a safer product. When a respirator is still needed, it only protects you if it is the right type, fits your face and is worn and cared for the right way.

SAFETY MOMENT

October 6

The hazard

Dust, fumes, mists, gases and vapors can damage your lungs, sometimes without any warning you can see or smell. Controlling the hazard at the source comes first, with ventilation, water or a safer product. When a respirator is still needed, it only protects you if it is the right type, fits your face and is worn and cared for the right way.

The action

Before you are fit tested or required to wear a respirator, your employer must provide a medical evaluation to check that you can use one (29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1)). A tight-fitting respirator also needs a fit test before you first use it, whenever you switch to a different facepiece size, style, model or make, and at least once a year. You do not pay for the respirator, the training or the medical evaluation (29 CFR 1910.134(c)(4)). (29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2))

ASK THE CREW

When were you last fit tested, and on which respirator model and size?

From the talk: Respiratory protection. Read it in full, free, with the questions and the sign-in sheet.

HOW TO USE IT

How to give a safety moment

  1. Gather the crew where they work, before the shift or the meeting starts. Read the hazard out loud.
  2. Ask the question and let two or three people answer. What they say about their own work counts for more than what you read.
  3. Name the action and point to one place on today's job where it applies, so everyone knows what to do differently.
  4. Write the date and the names on a sign-in sheet.

A safety moment is short and does not replace the full talk. When you want to go through a topic with the crew, pick a free toolbox talk.

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