CDC Respiratory Protection Program
Guide to the CDC Respirator Fit Testing and Training Program
Fit testing and training is an important part of CDC’s Respiratory Protection Program. CDC’s Office of Health and Safety is pleased to offer this key worker protection service to CDC/ATSDR employees including Commissioned Officers. The information below is intended primarily for Atlanta-based CDC/ATSDR Commissioned Officers only. For Officers located outside Atlanta, please call 404-498-4791 for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need to be Respirator Fit Tested?
Currently, the Office of Force Readiness and Deployment (OFRD) does not require all officers to be fit tested. If your current job assignment requires you to be fit tested, e.g. laboratorians, then you must submit a Respirator Request Form annually prior to fit testing. To obtain a copy of the Respiratory Request Form, click here. Simply follow the directions on the form. Based upon the information provided in the Respirator Request Form, the CDC Office of Health & Safety (OHS) will review and approve the make and model of respirator for the user. EIS officers do not have to complete a Respirator Request Form (MS Word, 23 KB). However, OHS recommends that commissioned officers maintain their annual respirator fit test status in case of a major deployment.
How Do I Enroll In the CDC Respiratory Protection Program?
To enroll in the program, the Officer must first schedule a medical evaluation in one of the CDC Occupational Health Clinics to ensure that the use of a respirator will not be harmful to the Officer’s health. To schedule this evaluation, call 404-498-4775.
After the employee has successfully completed the clinical evaluation and is medically approved to use a respirator, he or she can then schedule an appointment for respiratory training and fit testing when in the Clinic or by calling the same number, 404-498-4775.
How Often Do Officers Need A Respiratory Medical Evaluation?
The CDC’s Respiratory Protection Program and OSHA both require the employee to be medically evaluated initially upon entry into the program and annually thereafter.
An Officer may also need more frequent medical evaluations if his/her medical condition changes significantly, or if he/she is exposed to a respiratory hazard while on the job.
How Often Is Respirator Training & Fit Testing Required?
Respirator training and fit testing is required prior to issuance of a respirator and annually thereafter.
If the make, model or size of respirator is changed for whatever reason, additional training and fit testing is required.
Also, if the Officer’s facial configuration changes (such as with major weight loss, weight gain or surgery), then fit testing must be repeated.
Can I Request Fit Testing or Training More Frequently for my Employees?
Additional training can be scheduled if you feel that your knowledge or use of the respirator is lacking and that you may be at risk for some other reason while using the assigned respirator.
Do Men Have To Be Clean Shaven To Wear A Respirator?
Since facial hair may interfere with the respirator face piece seal, gentlemen need to be clean shaven while wearing any tight-fitting respirator. This includes disposable filtering face piece respirators such as N95s.
Specifically, OSHA states that no facial hair should be present between the face and the sealing surface of the face piece of the respirator. OSHA does allow facial hair while wearing a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) with a loose-fitting hood.
How Do I Obtain a Supply of Respirators For Use on an Ongoing Basis?
For routine CDC assignments, each Coordinating Center or Center/Institute/Office (CC/CIO) must supply their Officers with the appropriate respiratory protection after the appropriate protection is identified by the CDC Respiratory Protection Program. To obtain a quotation for respirators, you can contact John Scarano or Alan Reisner of the CDC Respiratory Protection Program at 404-498-4791.
If you are being deployed as part of an emergency through the CDC’s Director’s Emergency Operations Center (DEOC), respirators should be available through the DEOC.
How Do I Let OFRD Know that I am Fit Tested?
OFRD tracks officers who are fit tested for filtering face piece N-95 respirators. OFRD does not track elastomeric half face respirator fit tests. To add your fit test to your OFRD Officer Summary Page, login to your page and click “Respirator Fit Testing”. Ensure all required information is entered and then click “Submit”. OFRD will then have your fit test and respirator data in their database.
Who Can I Call For More Information?
For questions regarding respiratory training and fit testing, you can contact John Scarano or Alan Reisner of the CDC Respiratory Protection Program at 404-498-4791. Any other questions regarding the CDC Respiratory Protection Program, please contact CDR Jean Gaunce of the Office of Health & Safety (OHS) at 404-639-4614.
CDC Respiratory Fit Testing and Training Services are available at the
CDC Occupational Health Clinic
At EXECUTIVE PARK
57 Executive Park South
Suite 2301, 2nd Floor
Building 57 is located on Executive Park South
(Behind the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel)
For Directions, Click Here
HOURS: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Monday – Friday)
PHONE: 404-498-4775