COVID-19 Information for the Workplace

Healthcare-Specific PPE Use Guidance

Healthcare personnel should refer to infection prevention and control recommendations and guidance for caring for patients with confirmed or possible COVID-19  for additional guidance related to PPE recommendations.

• Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Frequently Asked Questions about Personal Protective Equipment

General PPE Guidance

How to Properly Use PPE

• Infographic: Sequence for Putting on PPEpdf icon

Optimizing PPE Supply

Guidance

• Strategies to Optimize the Supply of PPE and Equipment in Healthcare Settings
• Recommended Guidance for Extended Use and Limited Reuse of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators in Healthcare Settings
• Considerations for Release of Stockpiled N95s Beyond the Manufacturer-Designated Shelf Life
• Factors to Consider When Planning to Purchase Respirators from Another Country
• Decontamination and Reuse of Filtering Facepiece Respirators
• Strategies for respirator shortages in non-healthcare sectors

Tools

To track how quickly personal protective equipment is being used, download our free calculator or mobile app:

• NIOSH PPE Tracker App

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Burn Rate Calculator

Respirators

The following resources include a list of NIOSH-approved N95 respirators, the differences between N95 respirators and surgical masks, use guidelines, and information on fit-testing.

NIOSH-Approved N95 Respirators

• NIOSH-Approved N95 Particulate Filtering Facepiece Respirators

Differences between N95 Respirators and Surgical Masks

• Infographic: Understanding the difference between surgical masks and N95 respiratorspdf icon

How to Use Respirators

• Infographic: Important Steps for Using NIOSH-Approved N95 Filtering Facepiece Respiratorspdf icon
• Infographic: Three Key Factors Required for a Respirator to be Effectivepdf icon
• Infographic: How to Properly Put on and Take off a Disposable Respirator

Fit-Testing

• Factsheet: Frequently asked questions about Respiratory Protection: Fit Testingpdf icon
• Filtering out Confusion: Frequently Asked Questions about Respiratory Protection, User Seal Checkexternal icon
• NIOSH Science Blog: The Need for Fit Testing During Emerging Infectious Disease Outbreaks

NIOSH Respirator Assessments

NIOSH has received several requests to assess respirators to support the COVID-19 response.

• Submit a Respirator Assessment Request
• Beyond Shelf Life/Stockpiled Assessment Results
• International Assessment Results – Not NIOSH-approved
• Decontaminated Assessment Results