Make Your Opinion Known about Respiratory Protection for Nurses!

For the last two years, Representative Roger Wicker (R-MS) has added a rider to the Labor, HHS Appropriations bill that makes it impossible for OSHA to require fit-testing of respirators used to protect nurses from infectious diseases, such as avian flu, SARS, anthrax, and TB.

OSHA normally requires that these respirators be fit-tested annually to ensure that the respirator has a proper face seal. This requirement is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the Institute of Medicine.

The Owens Amendment to the FY 2007 Labor, Health and Human Services (Labor, HHS) Appropriations bill supports continued requirement of fit-testing by striking Rep. Wicker's rider.

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Cindy Ward
Legislative Policies and Issues Committee