So that employers can determine whether effective personal respiratory protection is indicated for health-care-facility workers, NIOSH recommends that confirmed or potential tuberculosis transmitters be rapidly identified with an Admissions Screening Plan as discussed in section V.B starting on page 37. Then, for a limited range of specific hazardous locations and procedures indicated in Table 3 starting on page 40, when confirmed or potential tuberculosis transmitters are present or potentially present, NIOSH recommends that NIOSH-certified, powered, halfmask respirators equipped with high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) filters always be used by all potentially exposed workers in conjunction with an effective respiratory protection program. For the most hazardous locations and procedures indicated in Table 3 starting on page 40, NIOSH recommends that, at a minimum, NIOSH-certified, positive-pressure, air-line, halfmask respirators always be used in conjunction with an effective respiratory protection program.
Prudent public health practice to fully protect workers dictates that the respirator and respiratory protection program selected should offer the efficacy and reliability of protection equal to or exceeding those recommended in Table 3 starting on page 40. These NIOSH guidelines also include general recommendations for implementing a personal respiratory protection program that is essential for achieving effective and reliable personal respiratory protection when such protection is indicated.
