The use of respiratory protection at Dartmouth is largely directed by the requirements contained in OSHA regulations, specifically 29 CFR 1910.134. A component of this regulation is the concept of achieving exposure control through the determination and implementation of engineering controls whenever feasible. When such controls are not feasible to achieve adequate exposure control, personal protective equipment and/or other protective measures must be used. 

A respirator is any device intended to protect the user from airborne contaminants and/or oxygen-deficient environments. The selection and proper usage of respiratory protection is a critical component of the desired result of exposure control. Significant amounts of information must be known about the contaminants, and the environment in which respirators will be utilized to provide adequate protection. 

Some of this information includes:

1. General use conditions, including determination of contaminant(s)
2. Physical, chemical, and toxicological properties of the contaminant(s)
3. Odor threshold data
4. The smallest of the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL), Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) and Threshold Limit Value (TLV) exposure limits
5. Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) concentration: No Dartmouth employee should ever enter an atmosphere that is known to be IDLH. If an atmosphere becomes IDLH after entrance, it must be evacuated immediately and not re-entered until the IDLH atmosphere is no longer present.
6. Eye and skin irritation potential
7. Any service life information available (for cartridges and canisters)

All Dartmouth employees who wear a respirator, either due to institute policy or by personal choice (see Non-Mandatory use section), must do so in accordance with this program and must inform Environmental Health and Safety of their activities.

In order to wear a respirator, please contact us with your name, phone number, and a description of the process requiring the use of a respirator. EHS will review your request and determine if a respirator is necessary, and which type is appropriate. We may contact you for more information. If approved, you will be directed to the applicable link below.

Please submit requests as soon as possible, as lead times to complete the process are at minimum 5 business days.

Students and College Health Service Staff

Faculty and Staff

Respiratory Protection Policy

The use of any type of respirator, including an N95 is not permitted by any Dartmouth student, faculty, or staff member for protection against SARS-CoV-2 unless reviewed and approved by Environmental Health and Safety. CDC guidance should be followed and all possible efforts should be made to avoid reliance on respirators, including social distancing, ventilation, and the use of face coverings. KN95’s and other N95 alternatives are not typically considered a suitable substitute for an N95. While there are exceptions based on the manufacturer, KN95 masks often do not meet OSHA standards for N95 filtration capabilities. KN95's may be worn without restriction in place of a cloth face covering or surgical style mask, and may place an additional strain on the body. However additional protection should not be implied, nor is guaranteed, as KN95’s vary widely in quality and capability, and inauthentic products are common.

Where an N95 is required by the College, a medical evaluation, training, and fit testing must be conducted prior to use. In certain instances, an N95 may be used for protection against SARS-CoV-2 where cloth face coverings, surgical masks, or other face coverings are not deemed adequate. A common example is when Dartmouth staff are required to be in close proximity to Covid-19 positive patients. EHS regulates the use of N95 respirators in these circumstances very carefully, as Dartmouth College and the government have many requirements for users of respirators.