Certifying Personal Protective Technologies Improving Worker Safety (2011) / Chapter Skim
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6 Findings and Recommendations
6 Findings and Recommendations
Pages 115-124
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From page 115... ...
Little has been done to classify PPT products based on a comprehensive risk-based framework, which can then be used to identify gaps, prioritize resources, determine and direct conformity assessment efforts, and ensure consistent conformity assessment approaches for comparable products, with the goal of improving worker safety and health. In Chapter 5, the committee began the process toward a comprehensive framework by outlining the guiding principles and a risk-based approach that is needed to categorize PPT, and then outlining options for conformity assessment that could be associated with each category of PPT.
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From page 116... ...
Government agencies also play key roles in the research needed to support standards development and conformity assessment processes, including the development and assessment of potential test methods. Health surveillance also can be facilitated through the work of federal, state, or local agencies.
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From page 117... ...
• Product specifications and procurement practices that reference standards and conformity assessment mechanisms provide the basis for client- and customer-driven systems. Product Standards • Product standards that require validated test methods and include ade quate pass/fail requirements are the basis for rigorous and thorough confor mity assessment processes.
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From page 118... ...
NIOSH's National Personal Protective Technology Labora tory (NPPTL) should serve in a leadership role and convene oth er relevant government agencies, certifying and accrediting organizations, manufacturers, and end users to develop and im plement a comprehensive, tiered risk-based framework for the classification and conformity assessment of PPT products for specific applications.
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From page 119... ...
Continued efforts in standards setting would be enhanced with NPPTL working with stakeholder organizations and other government agencies to encourage and promote end-user involvement in the development of voluntary consensus standards. As a research agency, NPPTL is well suited to furthering its ongoing efforts to develop test methods and conduct research that contributes to the development of voluntary consensus standards and other conformity
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From page 120... ...
The fragmented nature of current PPT conformity assessment has resulted in multiple and diverse sources of information that employers, workers, and others need to consult in order to identify certified equipment or find independent information on non-respirator PPT. NPPTL currently administers its Certified Equipment List, which details the respirators and respirator components that meet certification criteria.
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From page 121... ...
PPT for Healthcare Workers in an Influenza Pandemic • The unique strengths and expertise of the NPPTL, part of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, could be better used to en hance PPT for healthcare workers through increased collaborations with the Food and Drug Administration. Limits on Current Data and Need for Enhanced Surveillance and Post Marketing Evaluation Data • Assessing the impact of conformity assessment processes for specific PPT on worker safety and health is a challenge because of limited data collection systems and the difficulty in collecting data, especially in oc cupations where: (1)
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From page 122... ...
to include further efforts to establish standards and to develop test methods; • Develop and maintain an online resource (available through a website and other sources) that provides access to listings of all non-respirator PPT products that meet third-party conformity assessment requirements; • Expand its role and become the primary clearinghouse for reliable information on non-respirator PPT; • Fund research and support standards development necessary to test and certify protective ensembles, develop criteria for standardized interfaces, and flag non-conforming ensemble components; and • Expand its efforts in influenza pandemic-related research and conformity assessment for infection control ensembles.
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From page 123... ...
; • CPSC's recall database, unsafe product reporting system, and the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) ; • The FDA's surveillance and adverse event reporting databas es, such as the Medical Product Safety Network (MedSun)
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