PORTSMOUTH POLICE
BIOHAZARD
TRAINING
Infectious Disease Control: Information from CDC, World Health Organization, UNC, DCJS,
Health Department,Portsmouth Fire Department and N95.
Respiratory Protection
Tuberculosis
Why the Respirator
is Necessary?
First Responders such as police may encounter an
environment where there is a risk for transmission
of an airborne illness such as TB through airborne
infectious particulates.
Respirators, such as the N-95, provide protection
from airborne infectious particulates when properly
fitted and worn.
When should you
wear a respirator?
A respirator is to be worn:
- when entering TB isolation rooms
- when person is suspected of having TB
- enforcing a quarantine in conjunction with the Health
Department and court order.
- suspected cases of Anthrax according to Health Dept.
- suspected cases of Small Pox according to Health Dept.
Tuberculosis
Exposure: Inhalation of airborne droplets produced when a
person with active TB, sneezes, coughs, or speaks.
Infection: Once infected, a person will have a positive PPD.
They may develop TB or the bacteria may remain dormant
for many years (Latent TB).
Disease: Active TB presents with these S/S:
Weight loss Night sweats
Bloody Sputum Swollen lymph glands
Persistent cough for 2-3 weeks
Tuberculosis
Infection Control
The best method is to reduce exposure:
• Wear an approved mask when caring for
known or suspected active TB patients.
• Increasing ventilation to reduce numbers of
bacteria.
Selection of
Respirator
The most common respirator used is the disposable
particulate type N95.
The “N” stands for respirator filters that can be used when no
oil is present in the contaminants.
The “95” means that the product has been tested and certified
by NIOSH to have a filter efficiency level of 95% or greater
against particulate aerosols.
Precaution
If you experience difficulty in
breathing prior to or during the test,
you must notify the instructor.
Donning of
N95 Respirator
Step 1
Cup the respirator in your
hand with the nosepiece at
finger tips allowing the
headbands to hang freely
below hands.
Donning of
N95 Respirator
• Separate the edges of the respirator to fully
open it.
• Hold the respirator upside down to expose
the two headbands.
• Using your index fingers and thumbs,
separate the two headbands.
• While holding the headbands with your
index fingers and thumbs, cup the
respirator under your chin.
Donning of
N95 Respirator
• Pull the headbands up over your head.
• Release the lower headband from your thumbs and
position it at the base of your neck.
• Position the remaining headband on the crown of your
head.
• Conform the nosepiece across the bridge of your nose
by firmly pressing down with your fingers.
• Continue to adjust the respirator and secure the edges
until you feel you have achieved a good facial fit. Now,
perform a Fit Check.
Note: Fit Checking is NOT a substitute for Fit Testing.
Testing
Fit Checking is a simple procedure intended to help the
wearer verify that he/she has properly donned the
respirator. Fit Testing is designed to determine the
appropriate size respirator for each wearer. Fit Testing
should be conducted annually per OSHA and/or as
determined in your facility’s respiratory protection
program.
Tips for Achieving a Good Fit:
If the wearer is having a problem successfully Fit Checking
the respirator, he/she should try the following tips:
1. Use a mirror while adjusting the respirator.
2. Ask someone to look for hair or earrings that might
be caught in the seal.
3. Make sure the headbands are positioned properly. It
is especially important that the top headband is on
the crown of your head, as it is designed to hold the
bottom of the respirator snug against your chin.
From OSHA
Storage
The N95 mask should be kept in a ziplock
plastic bag until ready to use and in a location
that it will not be smashed and readily available.
The mask may be reused if not contaminated.
Storage after use should be in a vegetable zip
lock bag or clean breathable container.
IF SUSPECTED CONTAMINATION IS ANTHRAX OR
SMALLPOX, MUST BE PLACED IN SEALED RED
BIOHAZARD BAG WITH EXPOSURE OFFICER
CONTACTED FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON DISPOSAL.
