Personal Protective Technology Workshops Offered by NIOSH

In conjunction with the NIOSH Personal Protective Technology Sector and National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory fourth Stakeholders Meeting, NIOSH announces the addition of workshops on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 for three of the four sectors. There is no cost to attend these workshops with preference given to those attending the Stakeholders Meeting on March 29. Space is limited for each of the sessions and reservations are first-come first-serve.

 

For the Healthcare Sector, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) will conduct a full day workshop on March 30, 2011 as part of a new IOM study that will examine current practices regarding respiratory protection curriculum in occupational health nursing programs by assessing the practices used in the NIOSH Education and Research Centers for Occupational Safety and Health. Workshop speakers will be addressing current practices and providing ideas for improving the curricula. Opportunities for public input and discussion will be available. The IOM committee in its subsequent report will make recommendations on improving this training across occupational health nursing programs. The focus of this study is on training regarding the selection, use, care and maintenance of respirators. While there is no cost to attend, seating is limited to approximately 50 attendees, so preregistration is recommended.  Online registration is available.

   

Those attending the Public Safety Sector meeting on Tuesday, March 29, are invited to participate at no cost, in training related to CBRN respirator Selection, Use, and Maintenance Guidelines. The four-hour workshop will describe guidance for the proper selection, use and maintenance of NIOSH approved chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) respirators including; air-purifying respirators (APR), powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR), self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and air-purifying escape respirators (APER). NIOSH approval standards, test requirements and guidance are provided for each CBRN respirator class to help participants develop effective respiratory protection programs for their worksites. Significant NIOSH standards and test requirements which make CBRN respirator classes unique will be addressed. CBRN respirators will be demonstrated, and cautions, limitations, restrictions of use and effective maintenance requirements will be described. Participants will receive hands-on instruction for inspecting CBRN respirators. While there is no cost to attend, the class size is limited to 25 attendees. Participants may bring their own NIOSH-approved CBRN respirators for use in workshop demonstrations.

 

Details and registration information is available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/resources/pressrel/letters/InterestedParties/lttr-03292011.html