Mandatory TB fit-testing will likely return, but it’s not here yet
Hospital Safety Connection, October 3, 2007
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The return of annual fit-testing for tuberculosis (TB) is close, but not quite there.
In 2004 as part of OSHA's budget approval, Congress prohibited the agency from using those funds to enforce annual fit-testing provisions for TB, which falls under the respiratory protection standard. That prohibition has continued for the past several years.
The latest appropriations bill for fiscal year 2008 funding dropped the annual TB fit-testing ban, partially because of all the bad publicity TB got over the last several months. However, as of Monday, the full Congress had not yet approved the final appropriations bill, said Aaron Trippler, government affairs director for the American Industrial Hygiene Society.
It still remains likely that annual fit-testing prohibition will end. While many associations and groups are keeping a close eye on the proceedings, "the TB fit-test ban is, for all intents and purposes, over," said Dan Glucksman, public affairs director for the International Safety Equipment Association.
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