DEVELOPING A RESPIRATOR FIT TESTING PROGRAM FOR FUMIGATION LAW COMPLIANCE
Horticulture & Turfgrass
Ronald Myers
Principal Agent, Agriculture
University of Maryland Extension
GAMBRILLS
Abstract
DEVELOPING A RESPIRATOR FIT TESTING PROGRAM FOR FUMIGATION LAW COMPLIANCE\r\n\r\nMyers*, R. D.1 \r\n\r\n1 Senior Agent, University of Maryland\r\n7320 Ritchie Highway, Suite 210\r\nGlen Burnie, Maryland 21061\r\n\r\n Effective 12/01/2010, EPA requires that at least two individuals from each farm applying fumigants be respirator fit tested and medically cleared for respirator usage.\r\nTherefore, in response to local vegetable and fruit grower requests, this Extension Educator developed a program to demonstrate respirator fit testing technique that also effectively trains individuals to conduct respirator fit testing in accordance to OSHA guidelines. During the winter of 2011, six respirator fit testing demonstrations were conducted on-farm and at local Extension meetings. Several farmers volunteered to be respirator fit tested directly in front of their peers as part of the meeting demonstration. This has proven instrumental in teaching the value of respirators for all pesticide usage. After passing the respirator fit test, a respirator fit test certification card was provided to the farmers with an annual expiration date of December 31st. OSHA medical clearance forms were also provided at the respirator fit testing to be filled out by each respirator fitted individual to then be reviewed by their physician for duty fitness. A fumigation law update and respirator fit testing program details for farm managers were made available on-line at the Anne Arundel County Extension web site at: http://annearundel.umd.edu/
Authors: Myers, D.
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Myers, D. Senior Agent, Agriculture, University Of Maryland Extension, Maryland, 21061