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WVU Extension to provide OSHA respiratory protection course

Male instructor demonstrating how to conduct a respirator quantitative fit test.

In various workplaces throughout the United States and even across the world, workers are required to wear respirators. Respirators protect individuals from hazardous environmental conditions that may harm their lungs and respiratory systems. To give workers with safety and health duties and responsibilities and safety professionals the knowledge to safely and effectively implement respiratory protection requirements, West Virginia University Extension Safety and Health Extension’s National Resource Center Occupational Safety and Health Training Institute Education Center  will offer OSHA 2225: Respiratory Protection training June 21-24 in Morgantown, West Virginia.

“Respirators protect workers against hazardous conditions, such as insufficient oxygen environments, harmful dusts, smokes, mists, gases, vapors and sprays, which may eventually lead to cancer, lung impairment, diseases or even death,” Aaron Ondo, WVU Extension safety and health specialist and course instructor, said. “Compliance with the OSHA Respiratory Protection standard is aimed at reducing worker exposures and preventing future illnesses and death.”

The OSHA 2225 course covers the requirements for the establishment, maintenance and monitoring of a respiratory protection program. Topics covered will include terminology, OSHA Respiratory Protection Standards, NIOSH certification, respiratory protection programs and medical evaluation requirements. Students will participate in hands-on workshops on respirator selection, qualitative and quantitative fit testing, and the use of respiratory protection and support equipment.

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to identify and describe the elements of a respiratory protection program; the proper selection, use and inspection of respiratory protection; protection factors; and evaluate compliance with OSHA standards. In addition, students will receive an OSHA 2225 course certificate. The cost of the course is $750.

“Any safety and health professional or worker with safety and health duties and responsibilities will benefit from this course, given that respiratory protection is addressed in specific OSHA standards for general industry, maritime and construction. This course has a really good hand-on component that includes respiratory fit testing and medical evaluation” Brandon C. Takacs, former WVU Extension specialist and past National Resource Center OSHA Training Institute Education Center director, said. “As an added bonus, this course is an elective for the OSHA Fundamentals Certificate and the WVU Certified Safety Specialist Certificate.”

To register for the course, visit WVU Extension Safety and Health Extension’s website under OSHA OTIEC. Prospective students may email OSHAOutreach@mail.wvu.edu with any questions about eligibility, payment and registration.

If you want to learn about WVU Extension, visit  extension.wvu.edu or follow @WVUExtension on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram. 

-WVU-

lw/6/3/22

CONTACT: Lindsay Wiles
Communications Specialist, Sr.
WVU Extension
304-293-9490; lindsay.wiles@mail.wvu.edu