HEALTH, SAFETY and ENVIRONMENT

Hazard Control

At MacEwan University, personal protective equipment and respiratory protection are used to protect individuals from certain types of hazards.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) program

MacEwan University’s PPE program actively promotes the elimination and control of hazards at their source or along the path between the source and the employee. PPE is considered the last level of protection when all other methods are not feasible.

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PPE is equipment or clothing a worker wears to minimize exposure to specific hazards. Examples of PPE include medical masks, respirators, protective suits, and head, eye and foot protection. Using PPE is only one element in a complete hazard control program, which uses a variety of strategies to maintain a safe and healthy environment.

PPE does not reduce the hazard itself, nor does it guarantee permanent or total protection.

PPE is used to reduce or minimize exposure to or contact with injurious physical, chemical, ergonomic or biological agents. Remember, a hazard is not “gone” when PPE is used, but the risk of injury may be reduced. For example, wearing hearing protection reduces the likelihood of hearing damage when the ear plugs or muffs are appropriate for the kind of noise exposure and when the PPE is used properly. However, using hearing protection does not eliminate the noise.

PPE should only be used:

  • As a short-term measure before controls are implemented
  • Where other controls are not available or adequate
  • During tasks such as maintenance, clean-up and repair where pre-contact controls are not feasible or effective
  • During emergency situations

A Hazard Assessment and Control Report for positions/tasks must be completed to determine the required PPE.

In Alberta, employers are responsible for ensuring employees have the appropriate PPE to perform their tasks safely. This includes paying for specific PPE (such as respiratory protection) and ensuring that all PPE is in good condition. Employees must not bring their own PPE for use in the workplace; the exception to this is non-medical (cloth) masks, which employees may choose to purchase and wear at their own discretion. See the “Respiratory protection” segment below for more information regarding the use of non-medical (cloth) masks.

The following information sheets provide guidance on commonly used PPE:

Note: Non-medical (cloth) masks are NOT considered PPE. Wearing a non-medical mask does not protect the person wearing it. However, it helps protect others around you. If you are required to wear a medical mask while participating in a MacEwan-endorsed activity, you must remove your non-medical mask and put on the medical mask provided to you for the duration of the activity.

Respiratory protection

Wearing a single-use respirator (N95 or equivalent) is an additional measure to prevent respiratory droplets from contacting surfaces or people. Respirators are tight fitting and protect both the person wearing them and others around them.

A respirator fit test is a qualitative* or quantitative test that verifies a user’s ability to obtain an effective seal and an acceptable, comfortable fit for a selected tight-fitting respirator. Tight-fitting respirators include, but are not limited to, N95 masks, half-face and full-face respirators and supplied air masks. These tight-fitting masks protect the person wearing them and others around them.

*Qualitative fit testing is provided at MacEwan. Qualitative fit testing is a pass/fail test method that uses your sense of taste or smell or your reaction to an irritant in order to detect leakage into the respirator facepiece.

  1. Respirators can only provide protection if they:
    • Are properly selected for the task
    • Are fitted to the wearer
    • Are consistently put on and work properly
  2. Respirator fit testing is a legal requirement enforced by the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code (2021): Part 18, Personal Protective Equipment; Section 244, Respiratory Protective Equipment.

Respirator fit testing is required:

  • Prior to the initial use of a tight-fitting respirator
  • When changes to a user’s physical condition (e.g., significant weight change or changes to facial or dental features) could affect the respirator fit
  • When there is a change in respirator (e.g., make, model, size)
  • When a respirator user experiences continued significant discomfort during use or difficulty in completing a successful user seal check
  • When there is a change in personal protective equipment use that could affect the respirator
  • At least every 2 years (CSA Standard Z94.4-02 Selection, use and care of respirators; Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code (2018), Part 18)

Refer to the resources below for best practices for putting a respirator on or taking it off.

Students/general public

MacEwan Sport and Wellness provides qualitative fit-testing for N95s, half-face and full-face respirators as a for-fee service.

  1. Complete and submit the following form: Respirator User Health Screening Form.
  2. Once you have submitted the Respirator User Health Screening Form, schedule your Respirator Fit Test using the following link. A 30-minute timeslot is required for each respirator.

Employees

The university supplies single-use respirators, N95 (or equivalent), to employees if it is required by the nature of their work. It is the responsibility of the manager to determine if an N95 (or equivalent) is required. If you believe you, or an individual you supervise, require a single-use respirator at the workplace, follow these steps:

  1. The employee and the manager must complete a Hazard Assessment and Control Report to determine the employee’s eligibility to receive single-use respirators. Employees must receive approval from their manager prior to registering for testing.
  2. If the Hazard Assessment and Control Report determines that the employee requires a single-use respirator, the employee must be fit tested prior to ordering respirators. The respirator fit test determines the specific make/model for each individual: individuals may only order the specific make/model they have been fit tested for.
  3. MacEwan employees must call the Sport and Wellness Welcome Desk to schedule a respirator fit test. DO NOT register online.
    • You must complete a Respirator User Health Screening Form 24 hours prior to testing. Individuals who do not complete this form will not be able to participate in testing.
    • Individuals who arrive late for their appointment may be unable to participate in testing.
    • If you need to reschedule, email welcomedesk@macewan.ca to request a different time.
  4. After completing the fit test, you will receive a Respirator Fit Test Record.
  5. To request the type of single-use respirators specified in your Respirator Fit Test Record, use the Available Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) document.

Questions regarding Respirator Fit Testing can be directed to aquatics@macewan.ca.

The Respiratory Code of Practice must be available at a work site that uses respiratory protection. The Code of Practice includes the selection, maintanence and use of respiratory PPE at MacEwan.

Code of Practice

Forms & resources