Overview
Start here to get the respiratory protection you need.
Start Here
Employees of Hyde, Oakland, and Stanyan Hospitals, please obtain a fit test through your campus Occupational Health or EH&S. Do not sign up at another location. Updates to come in the near future.
Millions of workers across the United States rely on respiratory protection to keep them safe on the job. This includes workers in occupations such as healthcare, public safety, emergency response, and research. To reduce exposure to respiratory hazards, it’s best to apply the hierarchy of controls. Respiratory protection is an important “last line of defense” in the hierarchy of controls approach of reducing exposure. You must enroll in the UCSF Respiratory Protection Program if you intend to use respiratory protection in the workplace. Please select from the options listed below, under instructions for N95 Fit Testing, as applicable to you, and follow the outlined steps. If you don’t find what you are looking for, please email [email protected]
Instructions for N95 Fit Testing
Facial Hair Guidelines
Individuals must be clean-shaven to be fit tested, and also to wear an N95 or any other type of tight-fitting respirators effectively. Per Cal/OSHA standard, in situations where respiratory protection is a requirement, facial hair is only permitted if it does not cross the sealing surface of the tight-fitting respirator. For additional guidance on facial hair, please visit the NIOSH/CDC website external site.
Respiratory Protection Program Resources
- Difference between KN95 and N95 Masks external site (opens in a new window)
- Frequently Asked Questions about Respiratory Protection external site (opens in a new window) (NIOSH website)
- FAQs for Pregnancy and N95 Respirators external site (opens in a new window)
- Fit Testing Packet external site (opens in a new window)
- Guidance for PPE use for High Risk Aerosol Generating Procedures external site (opens in a new window)
- Respirator (N-95) Fit Checking external site (opens in a new window)
- Respirator & Mask Guide (Campus) external site (opens in a new window)
- Respirator Fit Testing Appointment Booking Instructions external site (opens in a new window)
- Respiratory Hazard Evaluation Form external site (opens in a new window)
- Respiratory Protection Manual external site (opens in a new window)
- Training for N95 Respirator Use (log-in required) external site (opens in a new window)
- Voluntary Use of N95 Respirators
UCSF makes all reasonable efforts to protect the health and safety of its faculty, staff, and students. This commitment extends to controlling respiratory hazards.
The most effective ways to control air contaminants that create respiratory hazards are to institute prescribed engineering controls and to follow correct work practices. Respirators should only be used when engineering and administrative methods fail or additional protection is needed. Respirator protection is not intended to be a substitute for adequate engineering controls or proper work practices.
The UCSF Respiratory Protection Program Manual external site (opens in a new window) outlines the policies and procedures concerning the use of respirators by UCSF personnel.
Occupational Health Services conducts health evaluations for all personnel who may wear respirators.
Supervisors must ensure:
- Employees using respirators receive medical evaluation and respirator fit testing/training.
- Availability of appropriate respirators and accessories.
- Adequate storage facilities and proper respirator equipment maintenance.
- Employees awareness of tasks requiring the use of respiratory protection.
- Employees engaged in such work use the appropriate respirator at all times.
- Reporting of problems, such as changes in equipment or procedures that may affect employee exposure or respirator suitability, to EHS.
