We are veterans of the SARS-COV-2 war and nationally recognized experts in Occupational and Environmental Medicine. We provide a customizable and scalable turn-key solution for all of your occupational and respiratory medical needs. Preparation, planning, and response will be critical to your operations, employees, customers, and shareholders; we will help you Breathe Easy.

Our consultants have over 75 years of medical, occupational safety, and logistical experience. Our scientific experts specialize in preparing global organizations to respond to occupational health crises in a humane and responsible manner while limiting or eliminating the need to modify operations. The key to your success is investing in a through plan of evaluation, compliance, needs analysis and surge protection against critical shortages during health crises.

Armed with our custom solution, your business will have access to state of the art personal protection equipmenton (PPE), assured OSHA/NIOSH compliance, and garunteed a best practice approach to surge protection. Our experts have the real world expierence to assure you, your customers, and stakeholders that your enterprise is prepared to survive and thrive during a medical emergency with up to date best practices for your unique environment. From customized mask and respiratory protection solutions, social distancing plans, hygiene initiatives, Anti-vector cleaning and sanitizing chemical recommendations, you can rest assured that your occupational medicine concerns have been throughly reviewed and vetted by veterans of the SARS-Cov-2 war.

Our physicians and scientists will develop a turnkey solution for your enterprise that will be easy to implement and allow normal or near-normal operations in a medically responsible manner. Your customers, employees, and stakeholders will be reassured with an expertly designed occupational medicine and emergency response plan. We will evaluate, modify, and/or design a customized safety solution for your organization.

Occupational Medicine Planning and Consultation Services: Contact Our Experts Today

How will your organization plan for the next health crisis and surge protect your enterprise?

We will develop a customized Surge Protection solution that will prepare your organization so that it can limit the need to modify operations, maximize resources and profitability, all while doing so in a socially responsible manner.

Your Surge Protection Plan will be detailed and thoroughly vetted by our experts. Your enterprise will have a turn key solution that includes: Personal Protection Equipment Plans, Occupational Medicine Consultation Services with a focus on employee health, OSHA Compliance and Social Distancing planning, custom built smart phone App Development for CDC Questionnaires and Fever monitoring with blue tooth technology, Agency Operational Command and COOP Plans, Vaccine and Laboratory Testing programs and much more.

Your Organization will also have the option to access to a board certified , pandemic experienced physicians during the next health crisis via secure and confidential tele-video conferencing. This can be an invaluable and priceless service during a health crisis when information, standards and expectations are changing a light speed, don’t get left behind.

We are Occupational Medicine and Emergency response experts and our mission is to prepare your organization for a health crisis by planning, preparing and securing your business access to state of the art Personal Protective Equipment in appropriate quantities that will Surge Protect your hard work, staff and customers. This product is a turn key solution that is easy to understand and implement while being user friendly. We will examine your your business model, floor plans, HVAC systems, and supply chains in order to keep your operations in normal mode and delay and or avoid modifying operations. Your stakeholders will be reassured and confidence in your organization will be at an all time high.

Which is the the CDC recommended Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for your environment?

The wrong mask could be worse than no mask at all. Your organization deserves expert consultation on what type of masks are appropriate in all of your unique environments. One size does not fit all. Determine your needs and be prepared before the next health crisis with our custom N95 fit testing solution, mask evaluator service, and surge protect your business.

N95

An N95 mask or N95 respirator is a particulate-filtering facepiece respirator that meets the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) N95 standard of air filtration, meaning that it filters at least 95% of airborne particles. This standard does not require that the respirator be resistant to oil; another standard, P95, adds that requirement. The N95 type is the most common particulate-filtering facepiece respirator.^[1] It is an example of a mechanical filter respirator, which provides protection against particulates but not against gases or vapors.^[2]

N95 respirators are considered functionally equivalent to certain respirators regulated under non-U.S. jurisdictions, such as FFP2 respirators of the European Union and KN95 respirators of China. However, slightly different criteria are used to certify their performance, such as the filter efficiency, test agent and flow rate, and permissible pressure drop.^[3][4]

The N95 mask requires a fine mesh of synthetic polymer fibers, also known as nonwoven polypropylene fabric,^[5] which is produced through a process called melt blowing that forms the inner filtration layer that filters out hazardous particles.^[6]

Personal Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR)

An option for those individuals working in hazardous conditions for long periods of time. A much more comfortable option, which eliminates the need for a mask, allowing facial recognition and communication. This is an excellent solution for multiple applications and can keep your organization in containment phase vs mitigation mode.

Easier, More Comfortable Breathing

PAPR system uses a blower instead of lung power to draw air through the filter. This lets the user breathe more naturally due to the airflow being delivered into the headgear from the blower.

Options for Use with Limited Facial Hair

With some respiratory protection, beards and other types of facial hair can be a problem, compromising the seal of tight-fitting facepieces. But, PAPR systems with loose-fitting headgear are designed to accommodate limited facial hair. This can benefit workers who want to keep their facial hair for style, medical or religious reasons or other purposes.

No Fit Test Required

Both loose-fitting headgear on PAPRs and supplied air respirators do not require a fit test, unlike disposable or reusable respirator options. This can save time and money since fit testing takes time and must be performed at least annually.

Integrated Eye Protection

Integrated face shields on certain headgear for PAPR systems can help protect eyes and faces from exposure to debris, sparks and other hazards. At the same time, they offer optical clarity and a wide field of vision, which can help the wearer easily view their surroundings. This can also help with interpersonal communication.

Users can also wear eyeglasses under many loose fitting headgear options.

Integrated PPE from the Neck Up

Non-integrated PPE that workers put together from various companies are often not designed to work as a cohesive “system”. For example, you may wear a hard hat from Company A, eyewear made by Company B, respirator from Company C and earmuffs sold by Company D. The respirator you wear may push your glasses up your face and nose. Your earmuffs may push up against your hard hat, etc. But, there are some PAPR systems that may include integrated hard hat protection, limited eye protection as well as face and respiratory protection all incorporated into one.

PAPR Systems are Designed to be Integrated and Work Together as a Single Unit

When using a PAPR system, approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), this respiratory system is designed to work together, as one integrated system of respiratory protection. Furthermore, certain PAPR systems may allow you to choose from a wide range of headgear, breathing tubes and air sources, so you can customize a PAPR solution that works for your environments.

For instance, certain PAPR blowers are compatible with half-face, full-face, or loose fitting headgear, including welding helmets. In some instances, if you currently use tight-fitting negative pressure respirators, select PAPR systems may offer similar protection through the use of their respective filters/cartridges. Also, just like other types of respiratory protection, with proper care, cleaning, maintenance and storage, these types of respiratory systems may last a long time.

Certain work environments may require the use of electrical equipment that limits the electrical and thermal energy of the system, preventing ignition in certain hazardous atmospheres. Electrical components of specific PAPR systems meet certain intrinsic safety requirements that provide respiratory protection while also helping to minimize the risk of ignition that could lead to fire or explosion in these sensitive environments.

Occupational Medicine Planning and Consultation Services: Contact Our Experts Today

All Day Comfort

Many PAPR systems can deliver filtered air all shift long, which provides comfort and protection your employees will want to wear. Continuously filtered air flow provides respiratory protection and lasting comfort, which can help you focus on the task at hand. This can be of benefit for professionals in all types of industries from healthcare to welding, construction or mining.

High Levels of Protection

PAPRs help protect against certain airborne contaminants. Many loose fitting headgear models may, when paired with an approved PAPR system, also help to provide Assigned Protection Factor (APF) values of 25 or 1,000 depending upon the headgear or facepiece used, which is more than most other types of negative pressure respiratory protection other than full face tight-fitting respirators that have been quantitatively fit tested.

Protection for Professionals in Dangerous Conditions

PAPRs are useful and often necessary in many types of hazardous jobs and conditions. For instance, emergency workers such as first receivers that can help healthcare, military, and public health professionals during events like natural disasters, mass casualties or acts of terrorism.

For instance, there are specific PAPR systems are often used for first receiver, patient decontamination programs and may be approved to the chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) loose-fitting PAPR standard developed by NIOSH for gases and vapors.

Custom Designed Respirator Fit Testing Program

Not all masks are created equal, and one mask will not fit all applications. With our expert guidance, we will design a respirator fit testing program for for N95 needs that will be manageable and sustainable. Certification, compliance, measurement and improvement will be baked into your custom plan.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to develop and implement a written respiratory protection program for situations in which permissible exposure limits (PELs) of airborne contaminants are exceeded, or when the employer requires the use of respirators by employees.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH’s) hierarchy of hazard controls starts with the most effective controls and moves down to those considered least effective:

• Elimination – Physically remove the hazard
• Substitution – Replace the hazard
• Engineering controls – Isolate people from the hazard
• Administrative controls – Change the way people work
• Personal protective equipment – Protect the worker with PPE

Administrative controls limit exposure to hazards by adjusting work tasks or schedules. Examples include limiting the time a worker is exposed to a hazard and creating written operating procedures. When elimination, substitution and engineering controls are not feasible (while they are being instituted or in an emergency situation), respirators must be used to control employee exposure to potentially hazardous atmospheres.

A respiratory protection program ensures that all employees are properly protected from respiratory hazards. According to 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.134, employers must create and maintain an individualized, written respiratory program if their employees use respirators. Also, employers must choose NIOSH certified respirators for their employees when respirators are required.

29 CFR 1910.134(c) requires employers to develop and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures and elements for respirator use. A suitably trained program administrator must lead the program. Per OSHA, an individual is qualified to be a program administrator if he or she has appropriate training or experience that matches the program’s level of complexity. The training or experience is appropriate if it enables the program administrator to fulfill the minimum requirements of recognizing, evaluating, and controlling the hazards in the workplace.

Minimum respiratory requirements for all contaminants can be found in 29 CFR 1910.134 and substance specific standards (asbestos and lead for example) are found in 29 CFR Subpart Z. The employer must follow all federal, state and local respiratory protection regulations.

Starting a Respiratory Protection Program

An employer must evaluate workplace contaminants before beginning a respiratory protection program. Airborne contaminants can present a significant threat to worker safety and health. Air contaminants can take the form of harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smoke, sprays and vapors. Air monitoring is used to identify and quantify airborne contaminants to determine the level of worker protection needed. Generally, industrial hygienists evaluate work-area specific exposure levels.

The following is an overview of OSHA’s 11 requirements for starting an effective respiratory protection program.

Step 1: Written Respiratory Protection Program — An employer is required to develop and implement a written respiratory program with required worksite-specific procedures and elements for required respirator use, according to 29 CFR 1910.134(c). The written program must include a respirator-selection process; medical evaluations; fit testing; procedures for use; procedures and schedules for cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing and discarding; procedures to ensure adequate air quality, quantity and flow; training in respiratory hazards; training in use limitations and maintenance; and procedures for regularly evaluating the program’s effectiveness.

Voluntary use of respiratory protection means that an employee chooses to wear a respirator, even though a respirator is not required by the employer or by any OSHA standard. Employers who allow voluntary respirator use must make sure that the respirator itself does not create a hazard. The following table summarizes 29 CFR 1910.134 requirements for respirators based on the type of voluntary respiratory protection used.  

	Filtering Facepiece (Dust Mask)	Elastomeric Negative-Pressure Respirator	Powered Air Purifying Respirator	Supplied Air Respirator
Written respiratory program	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Medical evaluation	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Fit testing	No	No	No	No
Annual training	No	No	No	No
Appendix D	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Clean, inspect, maintain and store	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Step 2: Selection of Respirators — An employer must evaluate respiratory hazards in the workplace before selecting a respirator. This evaluation must identify contaminants in their chemical state and physical form, and include a reasonable employee exposure-level estimate. If an employer can’t identify or reasonably estimate employee exposure, the employer should consider the atmosphere to be immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH), according to 29 CFR 1910.134(d)(i)(III).

An employer should then select respirators based on the identified hazards, and workplace and user factors that might hinder respirator performance and reliability. Respirators must be NIOSH certified. In IDLH atmospheres, a full facepiece, pressure-demand self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with a minimum service life of 30 minutes, or a combination full facepiece, pressure-demand supplied-air respirator (SAR) with auxiliary self-contained air supply must be used. In atmospheres that are non-IDLH, employers must use the assigned protection factors (APF) to select a respirator that meets or exceeds the required level of employee protection. For protection from gases and vapors, employers should provide an atmosphere-supplying respirator or an air-purifying respirator (APR), providing the APR has an end-of-service-life indicator or a cartridge replacement schedule based upon objective data. For protection against particulates, make sure the equipment is NIOSH certified as a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter or that an APR equipped with a filter is NIOSH certified for particulates.

Step 3: Medical Evaluations — An employer must provide a medical evaluation to determine an employee’s medical eligibility for respirator use. The medical evaluation must occur before an employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace. Initial exam results or a physician or licensed healthcare professional’s (PLHCP) findings might require further evaluations.

Employers should allow for confidential and convenient evaluations during normal work hours, and the PLHCP should ensure that an employee understands the exam’s results. The PLHCP must note any limitations the employee might have if there is a need for follow-up exams. The PLHCP must also provide the employee with a written copy of any recommendations. If medical conditions prevent an employee from using a negative-pressure respirator, a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) may be appropriate.

Additional medical evaluations might be necessary if:

• The employee reports symptoms;
• The physician or licensed healthcare provider, supervisor or program administrator recommends them;
• Observations or evaluations indicate that they’re necessary; or
• A change in the workplace affects the physical burden placed on the wearer.

Step 4: Fit Testing – Employees must be fit tested with the same make, model, style and size of respirator that will be used if respirator use is required, according to 29 CFR 1910.134(f).

Employees who are required to use a tight-fitting facepiece respirator must pass an appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT). A QLFT may only be used to fit test negative pressure APRs that must achieve a fit factor of 100 or less. A QNFT must be used when the fit factor must be equal to or greater than 100 for half-face masks and equal to or greater than 500 for full-face masks.

Atmosphere-supplying respirators and tight-fitting PAPRs must be fit tested through quantitative or qualitative testing in negative-pressure mode, regardless of its negative or positive operation, according to 29 CFR 1910.134(f)(8). Employees then should be retested annually, when there is a change in the type of respirator used, or when there is a change in an employee’s physical condition, such as an obvious change in body weight.

Step 5: Use of Respirators — Employers must establish rules and procedures for respirator use. These rules must prohibit an employee from removing a mask in a hazardous environment and prevent conditions that could result in facepiece seal leaks. The rules must also ensure continued effective respirator use throughout work shifts, and establish procedures for respirator use in IDLH atmospheres and in structural firefighting situations, according to 29 CFR 1910.134(g).

Employers must not allow an employee with facial hair or any condition that limits a facepiece seal or valve function to wear a tight-fitting facepiece. If an employee wears glasses, goggles or personal protective equipment (PPE), the employer must ensure that the equipment doesn’t interfere with the facepiece seal.

Employers must maintain work-area surveillance for stress and exposure. Employees should leave the respirator work area if they detect vapor or gas breakthrough, leakage of the facepiece or changes in breathing resistance.

Step 6: Maintenance and Care — The employer must provide for the cleaning and disinfecting, storage, inspection and repair of respirators, according to 29 CFR 1910.134(h). The cleaning and disinfecting must be done for exclusive-use respirators as needed, for multiple-use respirators before other uses, for rescue respirators after each use, and for those used for fit testing after each use. Stored respirators should be protected from environmental damage and facepiece and exhalation-valve deformation. Emergency respirators must be accessible and clearly marked. Routine-use respirator inspections must be performed before each use and when cleaning. Emergency respirators must be inspected monthly, before and after each use, and in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Escape respirators should be inspected before each use. Inspections should include all parts and a check of elastomeric parts for pliability and deterioration. Emergency respirators should include a certification of inspection, name, date, etc. Only appropriately trained employees should perform repairs or adjustments, and only NIOSH-approved parts should be used.

Step 7: Breathing Air Quality — An employer must provide employees who use atmosphere-supplying respirators (supplied air and SCBA) with high-purity breathing gases (compressed air, compressed oxygen, liquid air and liquid oxygen), according to 29 CFR 1910.134(i). Compressed breathing air must meet at least the Type 1, Grade D breathing-air requirements described in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Compressed Gas Association (CGA) Commodity Specification for Air CGA G-7.1 which was last updated in 2018.

Step 8: Identification of Filters, Cartridges and Canisters — An employer must ensure that all filters, cartridges and canisters used in the workplace are labeled and color-coded with NIOSH-approved labels, according to 29 CFR 1910.134(j). The employer must also ensure that the labels are not removed and remain legible.

Step 9: Training and Information — The employer must provide effective training to employees who are required to wear respirators. The training must be comprehensive, understandable and reviewed annually or more often if necessary, according to 29 CFR 1910.134(k). Employees must be able to demonstrate why a respirator is necessary, consequences of improper fit, usage and maintenance. They must be aware of limitations and capabilities of the respirator. They must know how to use it in emergency situations and know what to do should the respirator fail. They must know how to inspect, maintain and store the respirator. They should be aware of medical signs or symptoms that would limit or prevent the use of the respirator. Retraining is required whenever there are changes in the workplace, when new types of respirators are used, if inadequacies are noticed, or employee knowledge or use indicates a need.

Step 10: Program Evaluation — The employer is required to conduct evaluations of the workplace to ensure that the written respiratory protection program is properly implemented and that it continues to be effective, as stated in 29 CFR 1910.134(l). The employer shall conduct evaluations as necessary. They should regularly consult employees regarding respirator fit, selection, use and maintenance.

Step 11: Record Keeping — The employer is required to establish and retain written information regarding medical evaluations, fit testing and the respirator protection program. This information will facilitate employee involvement in the respirator protection program, assist the employer in auditing the adequacy of the program, and provide a record for compliance determinations by OSHA, according to 29 CFR 1910.134(m). Records of medical evaluations required by this section must be retained and made available in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1020. Fit-testing records must be detailed and retained until the next fit test. The employer must also retain a written copy of the current respirator protection program.

It’s important to remember that when elimination, substitution and engineering controls are not feasible (while they are being instituted or in an emergency situation), respirators must be used to control employee exposure to potentially hazardous atmospheres. OSHA requires employers to develop and implement a written respiratory protection program for situations in which permissible exposure limits (PELs) of airborne contaminants are exceeded, or when the employer requires the use of respirators by employees.

Commonly Asked Questions

Q: Can I use respirator parts from another manufacturer to repair my respirator?

A: No, doing so will void all NIOSH approvals.

Q: Do I need a written respiratory protection program if I only have employees using disposable dust/mist respirators?

A: OSHA defines filtering facepieces and dust masks as one and the same within 29 CFR 1910.134. And if employees are required to wear a respirator, of any type, a written program is required. If employees voluntarily wear respirators, the employer must demonstrate that all conditions for voluntary use exist. OSHA is very clear on voluntary use of respirators. Voluntary use means:

• An exposure assessment has been conducted;
• The permissible exposure limit (PEL) is not exceeded;
• No OSHA regulation requires that respirators be provided by the employer;
• The employer does not believe it is necessary to reduce exposures below their current levels (i.e., there is no perceived hazard);
• The employer does not require, recommend, encourage or suggest that respirators be used;
• Workers ask to wear respirators; and
• Respirators will not be used for emergency response or escape.

If one or more of these conditions are not met, respirator use is not voluntary and a complete written respiratory protection program is required.

Q: What is IDLH?

A: IDLH is the concentration at which a contaminant is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the concentration meets or exceeds the IDLH concentration, a full facepiece, pressure-demand SCBA with a minimum service life of 30 minutes, or a combination full facepiece, pressure-demand SAR with auxiliary self-contained air supply must be used.

Sources

29 CFR 1910.134 Respiratory Protection

29 CFR 1910.1001 Asbestos

29 CFR 1910.1025 Lead

29 CFR 1910.1020 Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Hierarchy of Controls

CGA G-7.1-2018 Commodity Specification for Air

Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Respiratory Protection Standard OSHA 3384-09 2011

N95 Fit Testing Services:

OSHA requires healthcare workers who are expected to perform activities with those suspected or confirmed to be affected by infectious diseases to wear respiratory protection, such as an N95 respirator. N95 respirator refers to an N95 filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) that seals to the face and uses a filter to remove at least 95% of airborne particles from the user’s breathing air. NIOSH also approves other FFRs that are as, or more, protective as the N95, including the N99, N100, P95, P100, R95, and R100. It is important to note that surgical masks, sometimes referred to as facemasks, are different than respirators and are not designed nor approved to provide protection against airborne particles. Surgical masks are designed to provide barrier protection against droplets, however they are not regulated for particulate filtration efficiency and they do not form an adequate seal to the wearer’s face to be relied upon for respiratory protection. Without an adequate seal, air and small particles leak around the edges of the respirator and into the wearer’s breathing zone.

When properly fitted and worn, minimal leakage occurs around the edges of an N95 respirator when the user inhales, ensuring that the user’s breathing air is being directed through the filter material. Staff that are required to use respiratory protection must undergo fit testing, medical clearance, and training, which are all required elements of a healthcare facility’s written respiratory protection program. These are requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134).

Fit testing is a critical component to a respiratory protection program whenever workers use tight-fitting respirators. OSHA requires an initial respirator fit test to identify the right model, style, and size respirator for each worker. Annual fit tests ensure that users continue to receive the expected level of protection. A fit test confirms that a respirator correctly fits the user. Additionally, tight-fitting respirators, including N95s, require a user seal check each time you put one on to help ensure the best fit possible. In the US, NIOSH-approved respirators include instructions on how to conduct a user seal check.

During times of extreme supply constraints, when there may be limited availability of respirators or fit test kits, employers may face challenges in fit testing workers. Employers should make every effort to ensure that workers who need to use tight-fitting respirators are fit tested to identify the right respirator for each worker.

Pulmonary Function Testing

USPC will design a respiratory program based on best on best practices in compliance with all relevant regulatory bodies. Our unique product will ensure your business’s assets are secure, healthy, prepared, and in the right job at the right time in the right equipment. Call Us Today and Breathe Easy.

Many jobs require advanced medical pulmonary testing, especially those occupations like fire fighting which require the employee to wear a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), sometimes referred to as a compressed air breathing apparatus (CABA) or simply breathing apparatus (BA), is a device worn by rescue workers, firefighters, and others to provide breathable air in an immediately dangerous to life or health atmosphere (IDLH). When not used underwater, they are sometimes called industrial breathing sets. The term self-contained means that the breathing set is not dependent on a remote supply (e.g., through a long hose).

Our experts will help your organization negotiate the OSHA/NIOSH requirements and compliance issues while making testing and utilization of the appropriate PPE a breeze for your employees. We can read the results for your organization remotely and provide you with up to date reporting on your groups compliance and readiness to protect your interests with Surge Protection.

Pulmonary function test (PFT) is a complete evaluation of the respiratory system including patient history, physical examinations, and tests of pulmonary function. The primary purpose of pulmonary function testing is to identify the severity of pulmonary impairment.^[1] Pulmonary function testing has diagnostic and therapeutic roles and helps clinicians answer some general questions about patients with lung disease. PFTs are normally performed by a respiratory therapist, physiotherapist, pulmonologist, and/or general practitioner.

They include tests that measure lung size and air flow, such as spirometry and lung volume tests. Other tests measure how well gases such as oxygen get in and out of your blood. These tests include pulse oximetry and arterial blood gas tests. Another pulmonary function test, called fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), measures nitric oxide, which is a marker for inflammation in the lungs. You may have one or more of these tests to diagnose lung and airway diseases, compare your lung function to expected levels of function, monitor if your disease is stable or worsening, and see if your treatment is working.

The purpose, procedure, discomfort, and risks of each test will vary.

• Spirometry measures the rate of air flow and estimates lung size. For this test, you will breathe multiple times, with regular and maximal effort, through a tube that is connected to a computer. Some people feel lightheaded or tired from the required breathing effort.
• Lung volume tests are the most accurate way to measure how much air your lungs can hold. The procedure is similar to spirometry, except that you will be in a small room with clear walls. Some people feel lightheaded or tired from the required breathing effort.
• Lung diffusion capacity assesses how well oxygen gets into the blood from the air you breathe. For this test, you will breathe in and out through a tube for several minutes without having to breathe intensely. You also may need to have blood drawn to measure the level of hemoglobin in your blood.
• Pulse oximetry estimates oxygen levels in your blood. For this test, a probe will be placed on your finger or another skin surface such as your ear. It causes no pain and has few or no risks.
• Arterial blood gas tests directly measure the levels of gases, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, in your blood. Arterial blood gas tests are usually performed in a hospital, but may be done in a doctor’s office. For this test, blood will be taken from an artery, usually in the wrist where your pulse is measured. You may feel brief pain when the needle is inserted or when a tube attached to the needle fills with blood. It is possible to have bleeding or infection where the needle was inserted.
• Fractional exhaled nitric oxide tests measure how much nitric oxide is in the air that you exhale. For this test, you will breathe out into a tube that is connected to the portable device. It requires steady but not intense breathing. It has few or no risks.

Our experts will help your organization negotiate the OSHA/NIOSH requirements and compliance issues while making testing and utilization of the appropriate PPE a breeze for your employees. We can read the results for your organization remotely and provide you with up to date reporting on your groups compliance and readiness to protect your interests with Surge Protection.

Contact Our Experts Today

Social Distancing Plans

Our experts will evaluate your operations, business model, architectural floor plans, and HVAC systems to develop an easily deployed customized solution that will enable your enterprise to maintain appropriate social distancing with detailed floor plans, multi-media communication tools, floor tape, signs, and limit disruption to your operations. The plan will be based on your unique environment and architectural demands while maintaining a user friendly interface.

Social distancing, also called physical distancing,^[1][2][3] is a set of non-pharmaceutical interventions or measures taken to prevent the spread of a contagious disease by maintaining a physical distance between people and reducing the number of times people come into close contact with each other.^[1][4] It involves keeping a distance of six feet or two meters from others and avoiding gathering together in large groups.^[5][6]

By reducing the probability that a given uninfected person will come into physical contact with an infected person, the disease transmission can be suppressed, resulting in fewer deaths.^[1][4] The measures are combined with good respiratory hygiene and hand washing.^[7][8] During the 2019–2020 coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggested the reference to “physical” as an alternative to “social”, in keeping with the notion that it is a physical distance which prevents transmission; people can remain socially connected via technology.^{[1][2][9][10]} To slow down the spread of infectious diseases and avoid overburdening healthcare systems, particularly during a pandemic, several social distancing measures are used, including the closing of schools and workplaces, isolation, quarantine, restricting movement of people and the cancellation of mass gatherings.^[4][11]

Why would social distancing measures be used?

Today, social distancing measures are most often thought about as a way to slow the spread of pandemic influenza. Health experts have looked at past pandemics and found that during the 1957-58 pandemic, the spread of the disease followed public gatherings such as conferences and festivals. And during this pandemic, the highest attack rates were seen in school children, due to their close contact in a crowded setting. Health experts believe that avoiding crowds of people will be important in slowing the spread of pandemic influenza. Since a pandemic cannot be stopped once it has started, and because health experts do not know how much warning there will be, once pandemic influenza is found in our area, social distancing measures will be used early on to slow the spread of the disease and provide our community with the valuable time needed to be better prepared.Some examples of social distancing measures that would be conducted during a pandemic include:• Public and private colleges suspending classes,going to Web-based learning and canceling all large campus meetings and gatherings.•Public and private libraries modifying their operations and restricting people from gathering by allowing people to come in only to pick up materials that have been reserved or requested on-line or by telephone.•Business changing company practices, setting up flexible shift plans, having employees telecommute and canceling any large meetings or conferences.Other social distancing measures that would be used during a pandemic include closing all public and private K-12 schools and facilities, closing all childcare centers, community centers, malls and theaters, as well as suspending services at all houses of worship.Additionally, during a pandemic all indoor and outdoor events that attract large crowds would be cancelled. These events include sports events,concerts, parades and festivals. Mass transit systems may also be temporarily closed or be used only for essential travel.

What other public health actions help limit the spread of disease?Other public health actions that are used to limit the spread of an infectious disease include isolation and quarantine. Isolation is used when a person is sick and has a contagious infection. The sick person is separated from people who are not sick. People who are isolated may be cared for in hospitals, other healthcare facilities and in their own homes. In most cases isolation is voluntary, but federal, state and local health officials have the power to require the isolation of sick people to protect the general public’s health.When a person is placed in quarantine, they are also separated from others. Even though the person is not sick at the moment, they were exposed to a contagious disease, may still become infectious and then spread the disease to others. Other quarantine measures include restricting travel of those who have been exposed to a contagious disease, and restrictions on people coming or going into a specific area. States have the power to enforce quarantines within their borders. Both isolation and quarantine may be used by health officials during an influenza pandemic to help slow the spread of the disease.

Your Enterprise will have a plan that will immediately turn to action. Begin containment strategies early and aggressively, avoid mitigation and keep operations un-modified is our common goal. Act now and prepare your organization from a health crisis with our customized 360 degree evaluation of your operations providing you with a custom turn-key solution. Call or email today info.USRespiratoryConsultants@gmail.com

Vaccination Initiative Planning

Reduce workplace illness, improve productivity, reassure stakeholders and improve herd immunity with a custom vaccine solution designed by our Occupational Medicine and Emergency response physicians and scientists. Vaccination is the only real world means to disease containment and eradication. Vaccines are safe and effective and can keep your business running smoothly and avoid modifying operations.

The United States has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in its history.  The vaccine safety system ensures that vaccines are as safe as possible.

Scientists ensure the safety of vaccines by conducting different types of studies:

• Clinical trials are studies conducted before a vaccine is made available. These studies are carried out by vaccine manufacturers and help the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) make decisions about whether a vaccine is safe, effective, and ready to be licensed for use.
• Postlicensure studies are conducted after a vaccine is approved by FDA and made available to the public. These studies continue to monitor vaccine safety and often include groups that are often underrepresented in clinical trials. These studies can look for rare adverse events.

Benefits of Workplace Vaccination

Benefits to Employers:

• Reduces cost by decreasing time missed from work to get vaccinated
• Reduces cost by reducing absences due to illness, resulting in improved productivity
• Vaccination often already covered under employee health plans
• Improves morale

Benefits to Employees:

• Reduces absences due to sickness and doctor visits
• Improves health
• Convenience
• Improves morale

Hosting a Flu Vaccination Clinic

Planning

The planning process should also include input from management, human resources, employees, and labor representatives, as appropriate. Resources for Hosting a Vaccination Clinic

Resources are available for hosting your own flu vaccination clinic, including a step-by-step guide to help clinic coordinators/supervisors who oversee vaccination clinics. These resources follow CDC guidelines and best practices for vaccine shipment, transport, storage, handling, preparation, administration, and documentation.

• Get senior management buy-in to support a flu vaccination clinic at the workplace. Frame getting employees vaccinated against flu as a business priority and create a goal aligned with this effort.
• Identify a flu vaccination coordinator and/or team with defined roles and responsibilities. Occupational health personnel or workplace safety staff may lead these efforts for employers.
• Determine if you will need to contract with an experienced outside provider of flu vaccination services (such as a pharmacy or community immunizerExternal).
• Schedule the flu vaccination clinic to maximize employee participation. Flu season usually begins in the fall. Consider hosting your vaccination clinic(s) before the end of October.
• Gauge need and demand among employees for flu vaccination. Provide sufficient and accessible flu vaccination in as many business locations as possible.
• Ask managers and supervisors to allow employees to attend your on-site flu vaccination clinic as part of their workday and without having to “go off of the clock.”
• Consider offering flu vaccination to employees’ families.
• Set a goal and show employees how their participation matters. Each year, try to improve upon the percentage of employees vaccinated.
• If your business hosts a vaccination clinic, follow CDC’s guidelines and best practices, which can be found in Resources for Hosting a Vaccination Clinic. After implementing these best practices, make sure your organization signs the pledge to be recognized as an organization that follows best practices.

Hosting & Promotion

• Use incentives for flu vaccination to increase participation, such as offering vaccine at no or low cost, providing refreshments at the clinic, or holding a contest for the department with the highest percentage of vaccinated employees.
• Promote the flu vaccination clinic with the following:
  • Posters about the importance of flu vaccination can be posted in break rooms, cafeterias, and other high-traffic areas.
  • An article in company communications (e.g., newsletters, intranet, emails, portals, etc.) can highlight the clinic and flu prevention.
  • Promotional posters/flyers to advertise the date and time of the clinic(s) should be posted in high-traffic areas.
  • Communication promoting vaccination from business leadership directly to employees can encourage participation in the clinic.
  • Use social media channels to promote flu vaccination!

Logistics

• Provide a comfortable and convenient location for flu vaccination clinics. Consider the demands of space and need for privacy.
• Set an example by encouraging managers and business leaders to get vaccinated first.

Encourage Vaccination

• Be flexible in your human resources (HR) policies. Establish policies that allow employees to take an hour or two to seek flu vaccinations in the community.
• Use promotional posters/flyers to advertise locations in the community that offer seasonal flu vaccinations. Display posters about flu vaccination in break rooms, cafeterias, and other high-traffic areas.
• Post articles in company communications (i.e., newsletters, intranet, emails, portals, etc.) about the importance of flu vaccination and where to get the vaccine in the community.
• Share the flu vaccine finder with employees to help them find out where they can get a flu vaccine: https://vaccinefinder.org/External.
• Encourage flu vaccination for employees’ families by distributing information for employees to take home.