Occupational Health & Safety

To ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, MSU employees receive Occupational Respiratory Protection and Medical Surveillance assessment by a Licensed Healthcare Provider if their MSU work tasks include/may include any of the following as determined by the Designated Department Contact.

• Use of a respirator/presence of respiratory hazards.
• Human blood, tissues, cells, or cell lines.
• Infectious agents.      
• Teratogens/carcinogens. 
•  Formaldehyde. 
•  Radioactive materials.
• Anesthetic gases.
• Lasers.       
• Heavy metals (e.g., mercury, cadmium, lead, etc.).
• As required by OSHA 1910 subpart Z (see OSHA Medical Screening and Surveillance Considerations)
• Animal Research Center, BSL-2, or BSL-3 Facilities.          
• Other as required/indicated by a chemical safety data sheet, research protocols, standard operating procedure, lab safety manual, chemical hygiene plan, etc. 

Employees will then be placed in occupational health and medical surveillance programs, as determined by the Licensed Healthcare Provider.

Respirator Use Process 
Please complete the 5 OSHA required process steps below:

⚠️ Steps 1–4 must be completed in order. Once complete, email your Bridger Occupational Health provided respirator card or document to Tammy Lynn (tammy.lynn@montana.edu) to schedule Step 5. 

1. Complete and submit your Occupational Health and Medical Surveillance Hazard Assessment. This form is submitted to MSU’s Safety and Risk Management office.
   
2. Complete and submit your Occupational Health and Medical Surveillance Questionnaire. This questionnaire is reviewed by Bridger Occupational Health. Allow 48 hours for processing before scheduling your exam.
3. Contact Bridger Occupational Health to schedule required and/or requested in-person exams.              Please anticipate an average appointment time of 1 hour.
4. Complete and document the required Respiratory Training. Please login to the link with your net ID, select “Extra Training” on the list on the left side of the screen. Enter “respiratory protection” in the search bar.  Select the Respiratory Protection Environmental training – this will take you to your required 19-minute training.  It may be beneficial to print the certificate of completion to provide to your Designated Department Contact.
5. Obtain respirator, cartridges, associated equipment, if applicable. Once you have complete step 1-4, email a copy of your Bridger Occupational Health provided respirator wallet card or document to Tammy Lynn at tammy.lynn@montana.edu.  Schedule a time to pick up your respirator and any associated equipment.  During your scheduled visit, you will have an opportunity to ask any questions regarding your respirator and receive a respirator user packet.

MSU employees will direct work related questions to their Designated Department Contact who may be the supervisor, manager, director, principal investigator, or foreman.  The Designated Departmental Contact is responsible for identifying their employees work activities which may be subject to Occupational Health and Medical Surveillance parameters.

Additional Information:

1. Please review the Respirator Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
   
2. You may review the OSHA Respiratory Protection in General Industry video.
   
3. Please review the full Respiratory Protection Program.
4. If you are unable to locate the information you need or have additional questions, please submit a Safety Concern Form and a member of our Team will connect with you.  You may also reach Safety and Risk Management at 406-994-2711.   

 

Occupational Health Programs