Some workers no longer need a doctor's note to wear a basic respirator mask

The US Labor Department is proposing to remove some medical evaluation requirements for workers who wear basic respirator masks. This means fewer workers will need a doctor's sign-off to use simple filtering facepiece respirators or loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirators.

For decades, even basic respirator masks required a medical evaluation, adding cost and administrative burden for employers. This change means companies can more easily provide these masks to workers without the extra step of a doctor's visit. It could make it simpler for employers to meet workplace safety standards for dust and other airborne particles.