N95 respirators
The INSPQ and CNESST have determined that N95 respirators are not required for use in the education sector. Therefore, the government will not be providing N95 respirators to the university.
As per our internal risk assessments, there are limited situations where N95 respirators would be required on campus. For example, when an employee needs to interact with symptomatic or COVID-positive individuals and is at greater risk of contracting the virus.
If individuals choose to purchase their own N95 respirators, they are allowed to wear them on campus. However, they should keep in mind that N95 respirators:
- Need to be fitted to the wearer to provide the intended protection,
- Provide a false sense of security when poorly fitted or worn improperly,
- Must be certified to the quality standards set by Health Canada,
- Are intended in settings where exposure to the virus is known or very likely.
The procedure masks distributed by the university are manufactured to a standard (ASTM F2100 Level 2) that guarantees better protection than a face covering when worn properly. Please note procedure masks are only one of the preventative measures in place to limit the transmission of the virus on campus.
The decision to provide N95 respirators to employees and students cannot be taken lightly.
When an N95 respirator is provided to an employee, there are regulations about safety measures that must be respected, including:
- Medical clearance to wear respiratory protection;
- Fit-testing to ensure the N95 provided is properly fitted to the employee’s face; and
- Training on how to properly wear a N95.
At this time, departments/units should not be purchasing N95 respirators unless directed to do so by EHS. Due to the regulatory obligations involved when providing respirators, EHS must be consulted. EHS must also be involved in product selection; some respirators on the market do not meet Health Canada standards for N95-level protection.
Departments/units should contact EHS at ehs@concordia.ca if they believe they have employees who are at greater risk of contracting the virus due to interactions with symptomatic or COVID-positive individuals.
If employees decide to buy their own N95 masks, they will be allowed to wear them on campus instead of a procedure mask. The employer obligations listed above would not apply when the employee brings their own N95 respiratory and the use is voluntary.
With respect to students, although we do not have regulatory obligations as an employer, distributing N95 respirators without any additional information or training could lead to improper use (including being used by individuals who are not medically cleared to use them) and could lead to a false sense of safety. We take our students’ health very seriously and ensure that all procedure masks distributed on campus meet government safety standards (ASTM F2100 Level 2). Nonetheless, if students decide to buy their own N95 masks, they will be allowed to wear them on campus instead of a procedure mask.
N95 comparable respirators
The CNESST advises against the use of KN95 or KF94 mask given the variability of the filtration capacity, fit, breathability and consistency between brands. Therefore, it is not recommended that they be used as a replacement for a procedure mask or N95 respirator.
At Concordia, when N95 respirators are required, only N95 respirators that are certified as per Health Canada requirements, are used.
