The use of any Respirators (N95's, Half-Face, Full-Face) at Old Dominion University is subject to review and approval by EH&S prior to use. Approval consists of Medical Clearance, Fit Test and Training.
Obtaining a Respirator
Every Old Dominion University employee who wears respiratory protection (N95s, Half-Face) must participate in the Respiratory Protection Program.
Employees and Students who need a respirator must first receive clearance by EH&S and follow the Respiratory Protection Program. The program ensures employees and students who use respirators understand how to use respirators properly and are medically able without harming themselves.
Employees/Students can only wear the type, model, and size of respiratory protection equipment for which they have been trained and fitted for by EH&S staff. Any concerns with the use or fit of a respirator should be immediately reported to your supervisor. Departments are responsible for the purchase of the respirators and any replacement parts/pieces along with the Medical Clearance questionnaires.
Contact the EHS office if you think you need a respirator to do your job safely. 683-4495
Medical clearance is required before you can wear a respirator. Wearing respirators can put additional stress on the heart and lungs, and may cause some to feel anxiety or claustrophobia.
- Departments are responsible for the Medical Clearance questionnaire cost.
- EH&S will assist departments with creating an account on 3Ms Medical Clearance website.
- Employees/Staff/Students will login through these accounts to complete the Medical Clearance.
Once employees have been medically cleared, schedule Fitting & Training with EHS.
Males are to be clean shaved prior to be fit tested and when wearing any respirator. Facial hair is only permitted if it does not cross the sealing surface of the tight-fitting respirator.
Departments are to purchase the Respirator that the Employee/Student was Fit Tested/Trained for.
Contact the EHS office if you think you need a respirator to do your job safely. 683-4495
Medical clearance is required before you can wear a respirator. Wearing respirators can put additional stress on the heart and lungs, and may cause some to feel anxiety or claustrophobia.
- Departments are responsible for the Medical Clearance questionnaire cost.
- EH&S will assist departments with creating an account on 3Ms Medical Clearance website.
- Employees/Staff/Students will login through these accounts to complete the Medical Clearance.
Once employees have been medically cleared, schedule Fitting & Training with EHS.
Males are to be clean shaved prior to be fit tested and when wearing any respirator. Facial hair is only permitted if it does not cross the sealing surface of the tight-fitting respirator.
Departments are to purchase the Respirator that the Employee/Student was Fit Tested/Trained for.
Disposable or Filtering Facepiece Respirator (e.g., N95)
Includes all disposables with (N,R, or P) and (95, 99 or 100) combination ratings (e.g., R99).
Common Uses:
- Nursing
- EMT
- Most Infectious Agents
- Nuisance Particulates
- Non-Toxic Dusts / Powder
- Wood & Metal Shop
- Custodial Services
Half-Face Air Purifying Respirator
Requires Chemical-Specific Cartridges and/or Filters.
Common Uses:
- Organic Vapors & Solvents
- Toxic Dusts / Powders
- Asbestos, Lead, Mold
- Acid Gases
- Formaldehyde
- Radionuclides
- Mercury
- Most Infectious Agents
- Nanoparticles
- Welding Fumes
Full-Face Air Purifying Respirator
Requires Chemical-Specific Cartridges and/or Filters.
Common Uses:
- Same uses as Half-Face with added eye protection and increased assigned protection factor.
- NOTE: Requires additional assessment and approval prior to issuance.
- Use only the brand, model, and size respirator for which you were fitted. Inspect the respirator and parts prior to donning.
- For tight-fit respirators, perform negative and positive-pressure fit checks each time the respirator is worn.
- Use the cartridges recommended for the air contaminant involved. Contact EHS if you are uncertain about which respirator or cartridges is appropriate for a specific contaminant.
- Be aware that a respirator has limitations that govern its ability to protect you.
- Maintain the respirator in a sanitary condition.
- Follow manufacturer instructions.
- Notify your supervisor if you detect increased breathing resistance, an odor or taste, or experience throat irritation.
Where respirator use is not required either by the University or by a VOSH standard, employees shall be permitted to wear respirators in situations where they wish to do so, provided that EH&S can determine that such use will not in itself create a hazard.
- Employees who voluntarily use N95 respirators shall do so in accordance with all provisions of the ODU Respiratory Protection Program program.
- Employees who voluntarily use N95 respirators shall be provided with the Voluntary Use form by EHS.
- Employees shall be Medical Cleared and complete training online.
- Employees shall be provided with respiratory protective equipment, training and medical evaluations at no cost to them. (Departments will be responsible for all costs).
- Do not order or use N95s with exhalation valves.
The following information is being provided for those wishing to wear an N95 voluntarily for additional protection from nuisance-level particulates. Please contact EH&S prior to using/wearing any N95 rrespirator
Medical Clearance
Even for voluntary respirator use, employees should be Medically Cleared before wearing a respirator. If you need a Medical Clearance, contact EH&S. EH&S will help your department setup an account with an online site that handles Medical Clearance. Departments are responsible for the Medical Clearance cost.
Fill out Voluntary Use form
- After being Medically cleared and Trained, EH&S will provide the employee the Voluntary use form.
- Use only the brand, model, and size respirator for which you were fitted. Inspect the respirator and parts prior to donning.
- For tight-fit respirators, perform negative and positive-pressure fit checks each time the respirator is worn.
- Use the cartridges recommended for the air contaminant involved. Contact EHS if you are uncertain about which respirator or cartridges is appropriate for a specific contaminant.
- Be aware that a respirator has limitations that govern its ability to protect you.
- Maintain the respirator in a sanitary condition.
- Follow manufacturer instructions.
- Notify your supervisor if you detect increased breathing resistance, an odor or taste, or experience throat irritation.
Where respirator use is not required either by the University or by a VOSH standard, employees shall be permitted to wear respirators in situations where they wish to do so, provided that EH&S can determine that such use will not in itself create a hazard.
- Employees who voluntarily use N95 respirators shall do so in accordance with all provisions of the ODU Respiratory Protection Program program.
- Employees who voluntarily use N95 respirators shall be provided with the Voluntary Use form by EHS.
- Employees shall be Medical Cleared and complete training online.
- Employees shall be provided with respiratory protective equipment, training and medical evaluations at no cost to them. (Departments will be responsible for all costs).
- Do not order or use N95s with exhalation valves.
The following information is being provided for those wishing to wear an N95 voluntarily for additional protection from nuisance-level particulates. Please contact EH&S prior to using/wearing any N95 rrespirator
Medical Clearance
Even for voluntary respirator use, employees should be Medically Cleared before wearing a respirator. If you need a Medical Clearance, contact EH&S. EH&S will help your department setup an account with an online site that handles Medical Clearance. Departments are responsible for the Medical Clearance cost.
Fill out Voluntary Use form
- After being Medically cleared and Trained, EH&S will provide the employee the Voluntary use form.