October 8, 2020

NIOSH Announces Webinar on Stockpile, Distribution of Elastomeric Half-Mask Respirators

On Oct. 13, NIOSH will host a webinar addressing its recently published request for information regarding the use of elastomeric half-mask respirators (EHMRs) in healthcare settings and emergency medical services (EMS) organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a Federal Register notice published Sept. 14, the agency requested input on a national strategy to inform the deployment of EHMRs across the United States from the Strategic National Stockpile, or SNS. The agency also sought expressions of interest in participating in future NIOSH projects involving EHMRs in healthcare and EMS.

The webinar will provide an overview of EHMRs, summarize the Federal Register notice, and discuss expectations of organizations that wish to participate in this effort. NIOSH expects the effort to be of interest to hospitals and hospital systems, outpatient care settings, long-term care facilities, dental practices, and first responder organizations, among others.

Individuals interested in attending the webinar must register online. Comments on the Federal Register notice are due Oct. 14.

Update: NIOSH has extended the deadline to submit comments on the Federal Register notice to Dec. 14.