OPWDD Group Home Settings Respiratory Protection Plan - Version 1.1 - September 26, 2023

Aug 30, 2026

Respiratory Protection Program for OPWDD Group Home Settings establishes procedures to meet OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard requirements (29 CFR 1910.134) and to strengthen protection for residents and residence employees within a long-term care, residence-like environment. The plan defines program purpose and applicability, assigns responsibilities, and outlines respirator selection, medical evaluation, fit testing, training, use, storage and maintenance, program evaluation, and recordkeeping. It incorporates special circumstances for immunocompromised populations, requires complete staff medical evaluation, and emphasizes integration with infection control and disease prevention programs.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatDOCX

Pages36

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

Purpose and Applicability

Responsibilities

Respirator Selection

Medical Evaluation

Fit Testing

Training

Respirator Use

Storage, Reuse, Maintenance, and Care of Respirators

Program Evaluation

Recordkeeping

Appendices

Appendix A: Respirator Assignments by Task or Location

Appendix B: Medical Clearance Questionnaires

Appendix C: Qualitative Fit Test Protocol

Appendix D: User Seal Check Procedures

Appendix E: Manufacturers’ Instructions for User Seal Checks

Appendix F: Pandemic Response

Appendix G: Voluntary Respiratory Use (OSHA Appendix D)

Appendix H: Needs Assessment Report

Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Group Home Settings Prepared for: The Fund for Public Health in New York City, Inc. TRC Engineers, Inc. 1430 Broadway 10th Floor New York, NY 10018 Version 1.1 - September 26, 2023 Limitations Use of this Respiratory Protection Plan (RPP) is intended to ensure that Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Group Home Settings are compliant with the Occupational Safety & Health (OSHA) Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). Although this is the case, it must be recognized that this document serves as only one component of a more comprehensive program intended to protect residence employees and residents. Adapted from: Occupational Safety and Health Administration. “Respiratory Protection Guidance for the Employers of Those Working in Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, and Other Long-Term Care Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic” Washington: OSHA publication DOL-OSHA-OOC-2020-103. Adapted from: National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health. "Hospital Respiratory Protection Program Toolkit." Washington: NIOSH publication DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2015-117 (Revised April 2022). Respiratory Protection Program For OPWDD Group Home Settings Version 1.1 – September 26, 2023 Contents 1. Purpose and Applicability ............................................................................................................................................... 5 2. Responsibilities ............................................................................................................................................................. 5 3. Respirator Selection ...................................................................................................................................................... 6 4. Medical Evaluation ........................................................................................................................................................ 7 5. Fit Testing .................................................................................................................................................................... 8 6. Training........................................................................................................................................................................ 9 7. Respirator Use .............................................................................................................................................................. 9 8. Storage, Reuse, Maintenance, and Care of Respirators .................................................................................................... 9 9. Program Evaluation ..................................................................................................................................................... 10 10. Recordkeeping .......................................................................................................................................................... 11 Appendices Appendix A: Respirator Assignments by Task or Location Appendix B: Medical Clearance Questionnaires Appendix C: Qualitative Fit Test Protocol Appendix D: User Seal Check Procedures Appendix E: Manufacturers’ Instructions for User Seal Checks Appendix F: Pandemic Response Appendix G: Voluntary Respiratory Use (OSHA Appendix D) Appendix H: Needs Assessment Report 1. Purpose and Applicability This customizable document is written specifically for Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Group Home settings more closely resembling a residence-type environment. This category of OPWDD facility assists individuals with disabilities to help them live in a home/community environment with the goal of facilitating independent living to the extent possible. A variety of living arrangements are possible within the OPWDD framework, but this effort addresses group home settings for individuals with developmental dis

FAQs

What is the purpose of the Respiratory Protection Program for OPWDD Group Home Settings?

It maximizes the protection provided by respirators when they must be used and establishes procedures to meet OSHA regulatory requirements while protecting residents and employees.

Why does the plan require special considerations for the OPWDD resident population?

Group home settings may include immune-compromised individuals who are more susceptible to illness and disease transmission, so the RPP includes tailored circumstances for this population.

What core elements are included in the program beyond respirator use?

The RPP covers respirator selection, medical evaluation, fit testing, staff training, storage/reuse/maintenance and care of respirators, program evaluation, and recordkeeping, with integration into related infection control efforts.

Aug 30, 2026

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