Respiratory Protection Program

Safe Return to Work

For general guidance on safety-related issues employees might encounter in the work environment, see our Safe Return to Work FAQs page.

Report a Safety Concern

If you have a safety concern, you can submit a Safety Concern Form or contact us at 612-626-6002.

Using Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs)

Many people are using Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) for patient care during the COVID-19 response. Below are videos with information on how to set-up and adjust your PAPR unit and headpiece, and how to appropriately don and doff your PAPR when using it for patient care.

Preparing to Use a Respirator at the University of Minnesota

There are several steps to be completed before you may use a respirator at the University of MN. Per the Respiratory Protection Program, respiratory protection is designated by University Health and Safety as either mandatory or voluntary use, depending upon the exposure assessment and the level of hazard.

Employees that have questions about hazard evaluation and determination of the need for respiratory protection can find information for workplace respirator consultation and hazard assessments by visiting the Industrial Hygiene Respiratory Protection website.

Voluntary and Mandatory Respirator Use Requirements

Employees must complete specific requirements depending on the respirator that they wear, and whether the use of the respirator is mandatory or voluntary.

Please see the chart below for the specific requirements. Additional information about fulfilling the requirements can be found below the chart.

Employees may visit the University Health and Safety Mask Support Program for more comprehensive information about Voluntary Respirator Use.

Respirator Protection Designation	Type of Respirator	Respirator Medical Evaluation	Respirator Online Training	Respirator Fit Testing
VOLUNTARY	Dust mask or N95	No	Voluntary Use Respiratory Protection Training (complete once)	No
VOLUNTARY	Elastomeric negative pressure respirator Supplied Air Respirator Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR)	Yes (complete every 2-5 years, depending on program)	Voluntary Use Respiratory Protection Training (complete once)	No
REQUIRED	Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR)	Yes (complete every 2-5 years, depending on program)	Respiratory Protection Training (complete annually) Contact uohs@umn.edu if your department requires in-person training	No
REQUIRED	N95 Elastomeric negative pressure respirator Supplied Air Respirator	Yes (complete every 2-5 years, depending on program)	Respiratory Protection Training (complete annually) Contact uohs@umn.edu if your department requires in-person training	Yes (complete annually)

Process for Respirator Medical Clearance

Respiratory Medical Evaluation
Required every 2-5 years, depending on your program requirements. Please check the OH Portal to see if you are due before placing a request.

Complete the Respiratory Medical Evaluation Request.

You will receive an e-mail from admin@saludsystems.com with a personalized link to complete an online Respiratory Medical Evaluation.

Instructions for filling out this form can be found by visiting the Respiratory Medical Evaluation Instructions page.
Respirator Online Training
Follow the appropriate link in the table above to access the online training in Training Hub.
Respirator Fit Testing
Required annually
An employee must complete the Respiratory Medical Evaluation and the Respiratory Protection Training listed above, prior to completing Fit Testing.

Note: Respiratory Fit Testing is not required for voluntary respirator use or for employees that use PAPRs.

Twin Cities Campus
Fit Testing for N95/filtering facepiece respirators is completed at HealthPartners Occupational Medicine. Visit the Clinical Services page for more information and locations.

Fit Testing for other types of respirators (non N95s) will be completed by University Health and Safety on campus. Please contact uohs@umn.edu and prepare for the following:

1.Bring a copy of your Respiratory Medical Recommendation form.

2.If you already have a respirator, bring it with you. Otherwise, the appropriate respirator will be provided for you.

3.The fit test takes about 15-minutes. The test is a series of 7-8 simple one-minute exercises designed to test the overall fit of the respirator. You will also receive basic information on using the respirator.

4.No chewing gum, drinking coffee, or smoking 15-minutes before the test.

5.Men are required to be clean-shaven in the areas where the respirator seal touches the face. If you are not clean-shaven, you will not be fit tested.

6.It gets hot under the fit test hood. Wear scrubs or a short-sleeved shirt.

Duluth Campus
Contact Andy Kimball

All other Campuses
Visit the Clinical Services page for more information and locations.

For questions, contact BOHD at uohs@umn.edu or (612) 626-5008

Related Information

Looking for information on respiratory protection for lab animals? Visit the Allergen Exposure Control Program page to download the Laboratory Animal Allergens and Related Respiratory Protection document.