You can't get around the training requirements. But you can dispense
with the fit tests if wearing the mask is for "voluntary use", IIRC.

Ya know, if Bush will take advantage of these golden gifts given to him by the idiot left beauracracy, he can make huge strides in rolling back 40 years of Dem. foolishness.

You can't get around the training requirements.

The USPS could just distribute the masks and tell OSHA to go hump a camel. If OSHA tried to enforce its assinine decision, somebody in the administration would smack it down before too much public humiliation/outrage set in.

Oh, I'm just all Schadenfreuded over this Bureaucratic Parasite Karma. Ya gotta love it when the leeches tie themselves in knots.

Assuming these masks are like ones we used to wear in the hospital for TB cases, OSHA is right on this one. These masks have a rubber-like seal that must be fitted properly.

"OSHA is the stumbling block."

I guess the union lackeys are finally realizing what management has been saying all along.

If it weren't so sad, it would be poetic justice. As it is, it's just pathetic.

Thanks for the article. Can't believe, well... yes I can. It is OSHA. Main stumbling block for most business.

I would just like to hold OSHA to it's own standards and validate their existence. Where were they when these postal workers were exposed? Since they want to be in the mix, will they stand accountable for not ensuring safety in the workplace during Anthrax exposure.

The street runs both ways.

They're probably N-95's, which are really just souped-up dust masks. My organization recently provided these to the people who work in our mailrooms as a precautionary measure. About 25 employees had to be medically screened and approved to wear them, and then we (I'm a safety guy) fit tested them with aerosolized saccarin.

That stuff about "hours of training" is bull. The step that took the longest was having the employee fill out a 9 page questionaire and meeting with the occupational health nurse. Didn't do a pulmonary function test for the N-95's. Meeting with the worker to discuss proper use and care (The N-95's are disposable) and fit-testing took about 10-15 minutes each. Some of the men didn't like being told their beards had to go to ensure proper fit.

All in all, what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. The USPS should not get any waivers from regs the rest of us schmucks have to comply with.

OSHA: Do not eat your dust mask. Sickness may occur and the rubber bands may get lodged in your throat.

The next person who has a heart attack ... I shall be sure to ask them if they are a "policy maker" for the federal government.

Upon confirmation, I will most assuredly stop all C.P.R. and consult the vast labyrinth of policies and procedures manuals of the government, to see if absolutely every little detail of our efforts, are in compliance with "O.S.H.A. standards and practices."

Quick!

Where in the heck is the training manual for the:

toilet paper
broom
Secret Service Suburban mit der Hillary Wench aboard

HALT!

Are you qualified?

The probabily is 100% that without the approval of the Directorate of Breathing In and Breathing Out, you will jeopardize your life and the lives of people around you!

They're probably N-95's, which are really just souped-up dust masks.

Correct they are N-95 models. Some places also have model N-100.

They should do the required "fit-checks" like we did them in the Army.

1. Remove the mask from it's carrying pouch and don it in under 9 seconds.
2. March yourself into a large tent containing several burning CS cannisters.
3. If you don't start running, screaming, and puking all at the same time, then the mask fits.

(Actually, they then made us remove the masks just to find out what CS gas felt like.)

They're going to have to shave their beards off, too.

I've been through the OHSA-required "fit checks", both in my nuclear days, and at the space center.

They don't take very long, and make sense in those industries. The paperwork probably took longer than the fit check.

Buddy of mine actually won the Purple Heart for failing that test, stateside. Incredible; the gov't was eager to hand out awards, in order to "booster morale."