New assigned protection factors, or APFs, for respiratory protection programs are being incorporated into OSHA’s respiratory protection standard, the agency announced. The final rule completes the revision of the reserve sections of OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard as published in 1998. The standard will now contain provisions necessary for a comprehensive respiratory protection program, including selection and use of respirators, training, medical evaluation and fit testing.

“This standard helps employers and employees select the right respirator for the job,” said OSHA director Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. “And with the right respirator employees will have adequate protection to be safe and healthy at work.”

An APF table is being included in the final standard to guide employers in the selection of air-purifying, powered air-purifying, supplied-air (or airline respirator), and self-contained breathing apparatus respirators.