Persistence of respirator use learning

Details

• Personal Author:
  Harber P ; Hu CC ; Su J
• Description:
  Although retraining and repeat fit-testing are needed for respirator users, the optimal frequency is uncertain. The persistence of proper respirator donning/doffing techniques and changes in quantitative fit factor over 6 months after initial training were measured in this study. Initial training was designed for rapid rollout situations in which direct contact with well-trained occupational health professionals may be infeasible. Subjects (n = 175) were assigned randomly to use either a filtering facepiece N95 (FFR) or dual cartridge half facemask (HFM) respirator. Each was assigned randomly to one of three training methods-printed brochure, video, or computer-based training. Soon after initial training, quantitative fit and measures of proper technique were determined. These measurements were repeated 6 months later. In the six-month followup, subjects were randomized to receive either a brief reminder card or a placebo card. Total performance score, major errors, and quantitative fit all became significantly worse at 6 months. An individual's result soon after training was the most important predictor of performance 6 months later. There was a marginal not statistically significant tendency for those initially trained by video to have better protection 6 months later. The study suggests that persons who use respirators intermittently should be thoroughly retrained and reevaluated periodically. [Supplementary materials are available for this article.] [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aging Men Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Respiratory Protective Devices Respiratory System Safety Staff Development Women
• Keywords:
  Age-groups Author Keywords: Respirator Filters Humans Quantitative-analysis Respirators Respiratory-equipment Respiratory-protection Respiratory-protective-equipment Respiratory Protection Training

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• ISSN:
  1545-9624
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Arizona ; California ; OSHA Region 9
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  11
• Issue:
  12
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20045331
• Citation:
  J Occup Environ Hyg Dec; 11(12):826-832
• Contact Point Address:
  Philip Harber, Professor of Public Health, Medical Research Building- Room 112, University of Arizona-MEZCOPH, 1656 E. Mabel St., Tucson, AZ 85719
• Email:
  pharber@email.arizona.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2015
• Performing Organization:
  University of Arizona, Tucson
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050715
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• End Date:
  20140731
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:f5bbb7b3cfb3fd1aa47c105ee539c6e49d51f71abb6a68bc52ec5dc4a728ef2ac5c5de2bf1f257ebfc01f1572571e869152b91c651497510f60694146a74e614
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/200789/cdc_200789_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 184.41 KB ]