Safety Knights

Respiratory Protection Week - Day 4

𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟒: 𝐅𝐢𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬
If employees are required to wear respirators at any time, then the employee must complete a respirator fit test prior to wearing the respirator in the workplace, as well as annually thereafter. 1910.134, Appendix A provides the mandatory fit testing procedures for both qualitative (QLFT) and quantitative fit testing (QNFT). Below are a few areas that I see either not done at all or are done improperly.
• The fit test must be performed while the test subject is wearing any applicable safety equipment that may be worn during actual respirator use which could interfere with respirator fit. This includes hard hats, helmets, bulky coats, and a number of other things.
• "In a normal STANDING position, without talking, the subject shall breathe normally." Many times, people conducting fit testing allow the user to sit in a chair for the fit testing procedure (with the exception of the "bending over" exercise. For exercises 1 through 4, OSHA specifically states that the person must be standing.
• The user must be allowed to pick the most acceptable respirator from a sufficient number of respirator models and sizes so that the respirator is acceptable to, and correctly fits, the user. If, during the fit test, the user finds the fit of the respirator unacceptable, the user must be given an opportunity to select a different respirator and to be retested.
• When performing qualitative fit testing (QLFT), if you are using irritant smoke (stannic chloride), the test must be conducted WITHOUT a test enclosure or hood (contrary to Isiamyl Acetate, Saccharin Solution Aerosol, and Bitrex). In addition, the user must be instructed to keep their eyes closed during the fit test procedure.
• When performing qualitative fit testing (QLFT), you must expose the user to whichever test solution you are using BEFORE performing the fit test. This odor threshold, taste, and sensitivity screening processes ensures the user can detect the odor, taste, or irritating properties of the test solution being used. Each type of test solution has a specific screening procedure that must be followed.
• Prior to performing the fit test, the user must don the respirator and wear it for at least 5 minutes. This will allow the user to make any final adjustments before starting the fit test procedure, as well as help expel any contaminants inside the respirator.