Closed-Circuit Escape Respirators; Final Guidance for Industry; Availability

On December 28, 2016, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the availability of an interim guidance document addressing the availability of closed-circuit escape respirators (CCERs) for purchase, and the readiness of respirator manufacturers to comply with the regulatory provisions addressing these respirators. After consideration of public comments, NIOSH has revised the guidance and now announces that NIOSH does not intend to revoke any certificate of approval for any escape respirator approved for use in mining in accordance with NIOSH regulations, that are manufactured, labeled, or sold prior to June 1, 2019, provided that th.ere is no cause for revocation under existing NIOSH regulation.