Presentation Topic

CSA Z94.4 for Selection, Use and Care of Respirators:  Development of the 2025 Update

Presentation Brief Description

Canadian Standard CSA Z94.4 provides guidance for establishing and managing respiratory protection programmes, including training, risk assessment, respirator selection and use, plus methods for fit testing, and record-keeping.  There has been very intensive work by volunteer groups to update the 2018 edition – in view of user experiences during the pandemic and technical advances.  Overall update proposals and changes to the selection process for biological hazards and use of respirators in healthcare facilities are discussed with a view to inviting public comment.  Finalization and publication of the update is expected mid-2025.

Biography

Simon Smith retired from 3M Canada in 2019 after a career including establishing a respirator filter R&D centre and developing products for healthcare, industrial, military and first response applications world-wide.  He has served as President of the International Society for Respiratory Protection and Chair of the Respiratory Protection Committee of the American Industrial Hygiene Association, and currently leads working groups for ISO and Canadian standards development.