What must all respiratory devices be approved by?

The approval of respiratory devices is primarily handled by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). This organization sets rigorous testing standards to ensure that respiratory protection devices are effective for their intended use, especially in environments where hazardous materials, such as lead, may be present. NIOSH evaluates respiratory devices to determine their performance and safety, providing certification for those that meet their stringent criteria.

Understanding that NIOSH is involved is crucial because it plays a key role in protecting worker health and safety by ensuring that the equipment used meets specific performance standards. Options such as OSHA (Occupation Safety and Health Administration) do not test and approve equipment; rather, they enforce regulations and guidelines derived from standards set by organizations like NIOSH. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) focuses more on environmental protection rather than equipment safety standards, while ANSI (American National Standards Institute) develops consensus standards, but it is NIOSH that specifically approves respiratory devices for use in workplaces.

Thus, knowing that respiratory devices must be approved by NIOSH is essential for anyone involved in occupational safety, particularly in fields dealing with hazardous materials.