OSHA Posts TB Enforcement Letter

OSHA finally got around to posting a notice on its Web site, www.osha.gov, that it will start enforcing annual fit-testing in healthcare facilities for respirators used to protect from tuberculosis (TB) exposure. OSHA received Congressional approval to reactivate this provision of the Respiratory Protection Standard, 1910.134, December 26, 2007, but the notice appeared last week, even though it is dated March 24. OSHA will now cite employers for failure to conduct annual fit testing for employees required to wear respirators as protection from TB.