When is a Respirator Fit
Test Needed?
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A fit test is required before any worker or employee begins a task that demands a tight-fitting respirator. These respirators can include:
- Disposable P2/N95
- Half-face reusable
- Full-face reusable
- Tight-fitting Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR)
Each piece of Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) must be correctly fitted and sized to the individual wearer.
When respiratory protection is necessary to manage exposure to occupational hazards, management must ensure a Respiratory Protection Program (RPP) is part of the overall risk control strategy. This includes conducting fit tests for employees required to use RPE.
Why is Fit Testing Required?
Fit testing is essential for several reasons:
Ensuring Proper Fit: Since every face is unique, respirators must be tested to ensure they fit securely and minimize exposure risks.
Protection Against Respiratory Hazards: A well-fitting respirator maximizes protection against airborne particles and hazardous substances in the workplace.
Regulatory Compliance: Health and safety regulations, such as those from WorkSafe Victoria, mandate fit testing as part of an RPP. Not adhering to these requirements can lead to fines or penalties.
Employee Comfort and Confidence: A properly fitting respirator is more comfortable and boosts employee confidence in their protective equipment, encouraging compliance.
Risk Control Strategy: Fit testing is crucial to risk control strategies, ensuring adequate protection when exposure to respiratory hazards cannot be fully eliminated.
In short, fit testing is vital for ensuring worker safety, regulatory compliance, and effective risk management in environments with respiratory hazards.
Is Respirator Fit Testing Required?
Yes, if employees are required to wear a tight-fitting respirator, fit testing is mandatory. Regulatory bodies, including WorkSafe Victoria, require that employees undergo a fit test before initial use of a tight-fitting respirator. This test confirms an effective seal between the respirator and the wearer’s face, ensuring optimal protection against airborne contaminants.
What is Fit Testing?
Respirator fit testing, also known as mask or facial fit testing, is a procedure to verify that a respirator forms a secure seal on the wearer’s face. Without a proper seal, the wearer is left vulnerable to potential health risks from their surrounding environment.
Our Mask Fit Testing Services We're Industry Accredited
How is a Respirator Fit Test Conducted?
Fit testing can be conducted using two main methods: Qualitative Fit Testing (QLFT) and Quantitative Fit Testing (QNFT).
QLFT: This method uses a challenge agent in a controlled hood environment. It determines if a respirator forms an effective seal by assessing the wearer’s ability to taste or smell the agent, producing a pass/fail result based on sensory response. This method is suitable for disposable and half-face reusable respirators.
QNFT: This method uses a machine, such as the Controlled Negative Pressure (CNP) or Condensation Nuclei Counter (CNC), to verify the respirator’s seal. The CNC method, for example, measures particle concentration inside and outside the mask. It is suitable for all types of respirators, including disposable, half-face, and full-face models.
We prefer QNFT and use the advanced Portacount (CNC) machine, allowing us to fit test all types of tight-fitting respiratory protection devices.
Can You Conduct Fit Testing Onsite?
Yes! For groups of 5 or more, our team of mobile fit testers can come to your location.
We’ve conducted onsite fit testing at various venues, such as construction sites, break rooms, first aid rooms, hospitals, educational institutions, boardrooms, and aged care facilities.
All we need from you is a table, chairs, and a power source. We provide everything else necessary for fit testing, including machines, consumables, and adapters. If requested in advance, we can also bring a selection of respirators to meet your specific needs.