SRUP FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Survey of Respirator
Use and Practices (SRUP)? What
types of questions will be asked?
The Survey of Respirator Use and Practices (SRUP) is
intended to provide the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) with estimates of the number
of companies and employees who use respirators
by type of respirator and for what purposes. We will
also ask whether the COVID-19 pandemic affected
respirator usage or procurement at your company.

How do I know this is an official survey?
You can visit {NIOSH URL} to read the official
announcement of this survey. You can also contact our
contracted partner, Abt Associates, at XXX-XXX-XXXX or
[email protected] to make sure the survey is official.
If you would like to contact someone at NIOSH, please
email [email protected] to request information about the
project. We are not selling anything or asking for money.

Is this part of an enforcement effort?
SRUP is conducted for informational purposes only and
results will not be used for any type of enforcement
activity. All responses will remain confidential and
used only for statistical purposes. All data will be
reported at the aggregate level with the inability
to link you or your company to your responses.
This research is covered by a Certificate of Confidentiality
from the National Institutes of Health. This means that
the researchers cannot release or use information,
documents, or samples that may identify you in
any action or suit unless you say it is okay. They also
cannot provide them as evidence unless you have
agreed. This protection includes federal, state, or
local civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other
proceedings. An example would be a court subpoena.

Who should complete SRUP?
Someone knowledgeable about the use of respirators
in your company should complete the survey. If you
think someone else in your organization knows more
about respirator usage than you do, please pass the
survey instructions on to them. Complete this survey
even if no workers at your company use respirators.

Why should I participate in SRUP?
The information collected in this survey is important
to provide NIOSH with the data it needs to evaluate
and improve the respirator approval program.
This information helps NIOSH maintain a current
understanding of respirator use in the U.S. which
improves the education provided by NIOSH’s respirator
approval program, as well as supporting necessary
respiratory protection research and development.

What will the data be used for?
The information will be used to understand how and to
what frequency employees are using respirators in the
workplace, identify how the COVID-19 pandemic may have
affected the use of respirators and other devices, and to
guide respiratory protection research and development,
including updates to the respiratory approval program.

Who will have access to my responses?
Abt Associates is the consulting firm that has been
contracted to conduct the SRUP. Only project staff at
Abt will have access to any information you provide. Your
company name, your name, and any other identifying
information will be removed from data provided to NIOSH
and OSHA. The information you provide will be used
to inform research only. All data will be reported at the
aggregate level and neither NIOSH nor OSHA will be
able to link you or your company to your responses.

Is participation mandatory?
Participation by your company is voluntary but we
hope you will take part. Your responses will provide
NIOSH with valuable information to aid in the effort
to make America’s workplaces safer and healthier.

How long will the survey take?
The length of the survey will vary depending on
the answers you provide, but most people find that
it takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

What will I receive for taking this survey?
In appreciation for the time you’ve taken to complete
the survey, we will provide you with a respirator
usage summary for the industry of your choice.