Masks and respirators can provide different levels of protection depending on the type of mask and how they are used. Loosely woven cloth products provide the least amount of protection and should be used by patients only.
The CDC states that all clinical staff present during aerosol generating procedures must wear a fit tested N95 respirator and goggles when their COVID-19 Community Transmission Rate is High. Examples of aerosol generating procedures are:
• Medical: open suctioning of airways, sputum induction, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, endotracheal intubation and extubation, non-invasive ventilation (e.g., BiPAP, CPAP), bronchoscopy, and manual ventilation
• Dental: high speed handpieces, air water syringes, polishers, and ultrasonic scalers

Cloth Masks

Cloth masks are not to be worn by healthcare workers, they are to be used by patients for source control. Healthcare workers should be using procedure/surgical masks, and respirators.

Procedure Masks/Surgical Masks
Wear procedure masks with
· A proper fit over your nose, mouth, and chin to prevent leaks
· Multiple layers of non-woven material
· A nose wire
Do NOT wear procedure masks with
· Gaps around the sides of the face or nose
· Wet or dirty material

NIOSH-Approved Respirators

An N95 respirator is a respiratory protective device designed to achieve a very close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles. Note that the edges of the respirator are designed to form a seal around the nose and mouth.
Although some exceptions to respirators were made during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of those have been removed as the supply for respirators are readily available. NIOSH approves many types of filtering facepiece respirators. The most widely available are N95 respirators, but other types like N99, N100, P95, P99, P100, R95, R99, and R100 offer the same or better protection as an N95 respirator. Respirators (including KN95) that had an EUA may no longer be approved, please contact your Safety Specialist to find out if what you have is still approved.
CDC recommends that specially labeled “surgical” N95 respirators, which are a special of N95 respirators that provide additional protection against hazards that happen during medical procedures, such as blood splatter, should be prioritized for use by healthcare personnel.
OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard requires employees to be fit tested prior to the initial use of a respirator, and whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model or make) is used. OSHA also requires respirator users to have a medical evaluation before using it in the workplace. Donning an N95 is not enough, and if OSHA were to visit and the employee medical evaluation and fit testing are not documented your office may be cited. Fit testing is required to be done annually and at any time there are changes to the facial structure of the person wearing them. We at Compliance Alliance offer fit testing if you would like to sign your team up, or have any questions please reach out to 702-360-3838.