8. Periodic Evaluation of the Personal Respiratory Protection Program: Periodic evaluation of the entire personal respiratory protection program is essential to ensure that health-care-facility workers are being adequately protected. The program should be completely evaluated at least once annually, and both the written operating procedures and program administration should be modified as necessary based on the results. This evaluation should be conducted by a qualified program administrator who has overall responsibility for all aspects of the program.
Frequent evaluation of respirator use will determine whether the correct respirators are being used and worn properly. Examination of respirators in use and in storage will indicate the adequacy of respirator maintenance. Wearers should be consulted periodically about their acceptance of respirators, including any discomfort, resistance to breathing, fatigue, interference with vision and communication, restriction of movement, and any interference with job performance and the wearer's confidence in the respirator's efficacy and reliability.
The results of periodic inspections of respirator use, consultations with wearers, surveillance of work area conditions, and medical surveillance of wearers should be reviewed, studied, and analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of the personal respiratory protection program. Evidence of the failure of personal respiratory protection (e.g., tuberculosis skin-test conversions) should be aggressively addressed to determine whether the indicated respirator was used properly, and what remedial action is needed. The results of the program evaluation should be presented in a written report that lists plans to correct failures with the target dates for their implementation.
