Dust or Comfort Masks
Employers and employees should be aware that there are "dust" or
"comfort" masks sold at home improvement stores that look very
similar to respirators. Some dust masks may even be made by a
manufacturer that also produces NIOSH-certified respirators.
Unless a mask has been tested and certified by NIOSH, employers
do not know if the device will filter very small airborne particles.
The occupational use of respirators, including those purchased at
home improvement or convenience stores, are still covered by
OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard.
Note: Some respirators have an exhalation valve to make it easier for the wearer to breathe. While these respirators provide the same level of particle filtration protection to the wearer, they should not be used by healthcare providers who are concerned about contaminating a sterile field, or provided to known or suspected pandemic patients as a means of limiting the spread of their body fluids to others.
Note: Additional respirator and surgical mask guidance for healthcare workers has been developed and is available at www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/healthcare/maskguidancehc.html. This document, "Interim Guidance on Planning for the Use of Surgical Masks and Respirators in Health Care Settings during an Influenza Pandemic," provides details on the differences between a surgical mask and a respirator, the state of science regarding influenza transmission, and the rationale for determining the appropriate protective device.
Steps Every Employer Can Take to Reduce
the Risk of Exposure to Pandemic Influenza
in Their Workplace
The best strategy to reduce the risk of becoming infected with influenza during a pandemic is to avoid crowded settings and other situations that increase the risk of exposure to someone who may be infected. If it is absolutely necessary to be in a crowded setting,
