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There is quite a bit of info here:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/sars-sras/ic-ci/sars-respmasks-eng.php
Let's not get all in a tizzy and wrapped around the axle about masks. Knowledge is power.
Fit testing a N95 is not rocket science. All employers, in Ontario, supplyng the mask to their employees, are responsible to teach the employee how to don and fit test the mask. If you go buy your own, from a safety supply, etc, in most cases the vendor will be able to show you the procedure. The use of aromatics and pressure testing is not required for general users not using a tight fitting mask.
A protective mask can offer protection, but there's no evidence inexpensive surgical masks can protect against flu virus particles small enough to be inhaled into the lower respiratory tract or the lungs. It's unclear how effective surgical masks are in blocking flu virus particles that are bigger and therefore likely to settle in the nose and throat of an exposed person. Normal surgical masks, like the one used by a dental hygenist are not sufficient because most don't protect down to the micron level. They won't filter out smaller particles and don't provide a good seal.
Workplaces should always employ engineering controls including physical controls such as ventilation requirements in buildings, and relative humidity and temperature controls. Also administrative controls such as handwashing, covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough or seeking medical care when you're sick.
If you're in the market for a mask, don't go to the hardware store and pick up one that you'd use while sanding drywall. Covering your mouth and nose with a bandana won't do you much good either.
The best bet for protective masks are what are referred to as "N95 respirators," a commonly used term in Canada that refers to NIOSH-certified, disposable, particulate-filtering, half-facepiece respirators.
Not all high-quality masks are labeled N95. Health Canada says masks should offer protection equivalent to N95 to be considered effective. Such masks should:
Filter particles one micron in size or smaller.
Have a 95 per cent filter efficiency.
Provide a tight facial seal (less than 10% leak).
N95 respirators protect against the inhalation of nasopharyngeal, tracheobronchial and alveolar sized particles.
Surgical masks worn by an infected person may play a role in the prevention of influenza transmission by reducing the amount of infectious material that is expelled into the environment.
Both surgical masks and N95 respirators offer a physical barrier to contact with contaminated hands and ballistic trajectory particles, such as particles expelled by a sneeze or a cough. The efficiency of the filters of surgical masks to block penetration of alveolar and tracheobronchial sized particles is highly variable.
Because of the possible inability of the 'surgical' mask to block penetration and provide a sealed fit the inability to ensure a sealed fit, the surgical masks offer no significant protection against the inhalation of alveolar and tracheobronchial sized particles.
I've include here some stuff from the Health Care Regulations and the Occupational Health & Safety Act. These are the law for Ontario employers and employees and are Provincial, not Federal, but most other government agencies have something similar. As well, the Health Care regs apply to hospitals and long term care facilities, but the Industrial regs, and others, also have a provision for supply, training and use of PPE (personal protective equipment).
PPE is only effective if used correctly; if used improperly PPE will provide a false sense of security, but no real protection. Workers have a right to be trained about how to use PPE properly—such training should cover how PPE is applied, as well as in what order it should be removed to avoid contamination. The Occupational Health and Safety Act directs employers in Sec 25 (1) (a) that, “the equipment, materials, and protective devices as prescribed are provided”
And in Sec 25 (2) (a) to “provide information, instruction, and supervision to a worker to protect the health and safety of that worker”.
In addition, Health Care Regulation 10 states,
“A worker who is required by his or her employer, or by this Regulation, to wear or use any protective clothing, equipment or device shall be instructed and trained in its care, use, and limitations before wearing or using it for the first time and at regular intervals thereafter and the worker shall participate in such instruction and training”.
Subsection 2 goes on to direct that the equipment shall be properly used and maintained, that it must be a proper fit, it should be properly inspected for damage and deterioration, and be stored in a convenient, clean and sanitary location when not in use. It is clear in the Act, therefore, that employers bear a responsibility to ensure that workers are trained to use PPE correctly, and that the equipment be kept in good order.
Workers, however, also have responsibilities under the Act:
· to work in compliance with the Act (Sec 28.1.a)
· to use or wear protective devices or clothing that the employer requires to be used or worn (Sec 28.1.b)
· to report the absence or defect in any equipment or protective device of which the worker is aware (Sec 28.1.c).
· to report violations of the Act (Sec 28.1.d)
This means that workers need to INSIST upon training to ensure they know how to properly use their PPE. Direct contact with a H1N1 patient, or contact with an environment contaminated by large respiratory droplets, might have led Health Care Workers to contaminate themselves as they removed their PPE. So if the employer is not providing adequate training, or fit-testing, workers have the responsibility to raise the matter with their employer to protect the safety of themselves, their co-workers, patients, and the broader community. Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSC) need to ensure that the employer is training workers on PPE, and then continue to monitor and evaluate the PPE training provided to workers.
Most workplaces have some sort of either a JHSC or a Worker Representative, depending on provincial and federal jurisdiction. If you have a work safety concern, it is your right to contact them and have them work on your behalf to alleviate that concern.
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/sars-sras/ic-ci/sars-respmasks-eng.php
Let's not get all in a tizzy and wrapped around the axle about masks. Knowledge is power.
Fit testing a N95 is not rocket science. All employers, in Ontario, supplyng the mask to their employees, are responsible to teach the employee how to don and fit test the mask. If you go buy your own, from a safety supply, etc, in most cases the vendor will be able to show you the procedure. The use of aromatics and pressure testing is not required for general users not using a tight fitting mask.
A protective mask can offer protection, but there's no evidence inexpensive surgical masks can protect against flu virus particles small enough to be inhaled into the lower respiratory tract or the lungs. It's unclear how effective surgical masks are in blocking flu virus particles that are bigger and therefore likely to settle in the nose and throat of an exposed person. Normal surgical masks, like the one used by a dental hygenist are not sufficient because most don't protect down to the micron level. They won't filter out smaller particles and don't provide a good seal.
Workplaces should always employ engineering controls including physical controls such as ventilation requirements in buildings, and relative humidity and temperature controls. Also administrative controls such as handwashing, covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough or seeking medical care when you're sick.
If you're in the market for a mask, don't go to the hardware store and pick up one that you'd use while sanding drywall. Covering your mouth and nose with a bandana won't do you much good either.
The best bet for protective masks are what are referred to as "N95 respirators," a commonly used term in Canada that refers to NIOSH-certified, disposable, particulate-filtering, half-facepiece respirators.
Not all high-quality masks are labeled N95. Health Canada says masks should offer protection equivalent to N95 to be considered effective. Such masks should:
Filter particles one micron in size or smaller.
Have a 95 per cent filter efficiency.
Provide a tight facial seal (less than 10% leak).
N95 respirators protect against the inhalation of nasopharyngeal, tracheobronchial and alveolar sized particles.
Surgical masks worn by an infected person may play a role in the prevention of influenza transmission by reducing the amount of infectious material that is expelled into the environment.
Both surgical masks and N95 respirators offer a physical barrier to contact with contaminated hands and ballistic trajectory particles, such as particles expelled by a sneeze or a cough. The efficiency of the filters of surgical masks to block penetration of alveolar and tracheobronchial sized particles is highly variable.
Because of the possible inability of the 'surgical' mask to block penetration and provide a sealed fit the inability to ensure a sealed fit, the surgical masks offer no significant protection against the inhalation of alveolar and tracheobronchial sized particles.
I've include here some stuff from the Health Care Regulations and the Occupational Health & Safety Act. These are the law for Ontario employers and employees and are Provincial, not Federal, but most other government agencies have something similar. As well, the Health Care regs apply to hospitals and long term care facilities, but the Industrial regs, and others, also have a provision for supply, training and use of PPE (personal protective equipment).
PPE is only effective if used correctly; if used improperly PPE will provide a false sense of security, but no real protection. Workers have a right to be trained about how to use PPE properly—such training should cover how PPE is applied, as well as in what order it should be removed to avoid contamination. The Occupational Health and Safety Act directs employers in Sec 25 (1) (a) that, “the equipment, materials, and protective devices as prescribed are provided”
And in Sec 25 (2) (a) to “provide information, instruction, and supervision to a worker to protect the health and safety of that worker”.
In addition, Health Care Regulation 10 states,
“A worker who is required by his or her employer, or by this Regulation, to wear or use any protective clothing, equipment or device shall be instructed and trained in its care, use, and limitations before wearing or using it for the first time and at regular intervals thereafter and the worker shall participate in such instruction and training”.
Subsection 2 goes on to direct that the equipment shall be properly used and maintained, that it must be a proper fit, it should be properly inspected for damage and deterioration, and be stored in a convenient, clean and sanitary location when not in use. It is clear in the Act, therefore, that employers bear a responsibility to ensure that workers are trained to use PPE correctly, and that the equipment be kept in good order.
Workers, however, also have responsibilities under the Act:
· to work in compliance with the Act (Sec 28.1.a)
· to use or wear protective devices or clothing that the employer requires to be used or worn (Sec 28.1.b)
· to report the absence or defect in any equipment or protective device of which the worker is aware (Sec 28.1.c).
· to report violations of the Act (Sec 28.1.d)
This means that workers need to INSIST upon training to ensure they know how to properly use their PPE. Direct contact with a H1N1 patient, or contact with an environment contaminated by large respiratory droplets, might have led Health Care Workers to contaminate themselves as they removed their PPE. So if the employer is not providing adequate training, or fit-testing, workers have the responsibility to raise the matter with their employer to protect the safety of themselves, their co-workers, patients, and the broader community. Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSC) need to ensure that the employer is training workers on PPE, and then continue to monitor and evaluate the PPE training provided to workers.
Most workplaces have some sort of either a JHSC or a Worker Representative, depending on provincial and federal jurisdiction. If you have a work safety concern, it is your right to contact them and have them work on your behalf to alleviate that concern.
