RESPIRATOR FIT TESTING
Lung disease is a leading cause of death in Canada. 1 in 5 Canadians have an existing respiratory conditions. The risk of developing a respiratory condition doubles for workers employed in specific industries including mining, manufacturing, construction, agriculture and others. Repeated and long term exposure to certain hazards in a workplace can lead to lung diseases that can have severe effects.
Companies that operate in industries where workers work with hazardous materials need to make sure that their employees are protected. Proper fitted respirators are essential for workplace safety as they help to prevent the inhalation of air-borne hazards which can lead to the development of respiratory illness. If the respirator does not fit properly, workers are at an increased risk to exposure of air-borne hazards at the worksite.
As per the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), respirator fit testing needs to be completed at least once every two years. Companies where workers are exposed to hazardous materials need to make sure that they comply with federal and provincial regulations such as Manitoba’s Workplace Safety & Health Regulation 217/06 Respiratory Protective Equipment 6.15 (1).
Intrinsic Analytics’ team of trained professionals perform respirator fit testing to make sure your employees are protected. Our technicians perform quantitative respirator fit testing that meets the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) (CAN/CSA-Z94.4-18) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (29 CFR 1910.134 and 29 CFR 1926.103) guidelines for testing.
What is Respirator Fit Testing?
Respirator fit testing testing ensures that the use of a respirator meets the individual needs of the person using it. A fit test is conducted to verify that a respirator is both comfortable and correctly fits the user. It is important because it is the best way to determine if the respirator fits properly and protects the worker.
Respirators are commonly used for protection from respiratory hazards, such as silica, asbestos and airborne pathogens.
There are three basic types of respirators that a worker can be fit tested for:
N95 respirator
Is a respiratory protective device designed to achieve a close facial fit and efficient filtration of airborne particles of a certain size. The edges of the respirator are designed to form a tight seal around the nose and mouth.
Half Face respirator
Is a respirators that works by removing gases/ vapors/ aerosols from the air through the use of filters and cartridges. It is a type of respirator designed to cover the nose and mouth.
Full Face respirator
Is a type of air purifying respirator designed to cover the face forming a tight seal against the user’s face, covering the nose, mouth, and eyes.
Intrinsic Analytics’ team of trained professionals performs quantitative fit testing for all three respirator styles.
Quantitative Fit Test
Quantitative respirator fit testing is considered the gold standard for fit testing. This test measures and compares the particles in the surrounding air to the air particles that leak into the respirator. The comparison helps confirm the integrity and performance of the respirator. The worker/client is made to perform certain breathing exercises to mock their working conditions.
Intrinsic Analytics offers quantitative respirator fit testing using the OSHA and CSA compliant TSIPortaCount® to perform the test. The results are quick and reliable. The test can used for almost all the different respirators such as tight-fitting half- and full-face masks.
How is the Respirator Fit Test Conducted?
Our respirator fit testing program ensures that your workers can be confident in the respirator they are using.
First, we ensure that the worker is able to demonstrate proper donning and doffing techniques of the respirator
Second, we confirm that their respirator fit maintains the integrity for which the respirator was designed by doing a series of exercises that mimics actions in the workplace
Third, we educate the worker on the importance of maintaining respirator integrity in various environments that they may be exposed to.
Fourth we ensure that the worker understands what conditions may warrant re-testing.
Who Needs to Be Tested?
There are several regulations describing the appropriate use of respirators. According to the Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Regulations, qualified employees must wear National Institute for Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved respirators in accordance with CSA guidelines. Screening (medical history and questionnaire) is required prior to first use of a respirator, followed by ongoing periodic monitoring which is recommended annually but required at least bi-annually.
Many workplaces consider a respirator and a proper respirator fit test as the only components of an employee’s respiratory protection program. For example, workers that may be exposed to asbestos are enrolled in Intrinsic Analytics’ Fibrogenic Dust Monitoring Program. Our program also includes Surveillance, Spirometry, and Chest X-Rays after various levels of exposure. In addition, we often provide guidance to companies on the governmental reporting requirements that accompany such testing.
Learn more about our Lung Surveillance Program or Fibrogenic Dust Monitoring Program here.
What Makes Intrinsic Analytics a Leader?
Many industrial companies and healthcare professionals have come to depend on Intrinsic Analytics for properly fitting their employees with respirators. Intrinsic Analytics uses TSI PortaCount® respirator fit testing systems for quantitative respirator fitting. It takes real-time particle measurements both inside and outside of the respirator while the user is wearing it. It performs a series of exercises that are designed to mimic similar movements made in a real work environment.
Quantitative respirator fit testing is the only method that should be considered when trying to ensure that respirator integrity is being properly maintained. Our technicians perform quantitative respirator fit testing that meets the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) (CAN/CSA-Z94.4-18) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (29 CFR 1910.134 and 29 CFR 1926.103) guidelines for testing.
Frequently Answered Questions
1. Once a worker is fit tested, can they use any brand/make/model respirator as long as it is the same size?
No. A successful fit test only qualifies an employee to use the specific brand/make/model and size of respirator that he or she wore during the test. Respirator sizing is not standardised across different brands and models.
2. Can a worker have facial hair and still be fit tested to wear a tight fit respirator?
No. As per the OSHA respirator standards, tight fit respirators should not be worn by workers with facial hair that come between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face of the person. Facial hair such as beards, sideburns or mustaches interfere with the respirators that rely on the seal for proper protection.
Research shows that facial hair under the sealing surface causes 20 to 1000 times more leakage compared to clean shaven individuals.
3. Are workers legally required to get a fit test if they use respirators for work?
Yes, according to the Canadian Standards Association (Z94.9.1.6) every worker using a respirator must be fit tested if they are required to wear one.
4. What happens if a worker passes a respirator fit test?
If a worker passes the respirator fit test, this indicates that the respirator they were tested for is a good fit for them. Documentation will be provided that states whether they passed or failed the fit test and includes details such as, make and model of the respirator they were tested for. Passing the fit test allows the worker to use that specific respirator type for up to two years. However, they may require another fit test if the physical conditions of the user changes at the workplace.
5. What happens if a worker fails a respirator fit test?
If a worker fails a respirator fit test, the respirator is not a good fit or a good seal was not achieved. The worker may have to get tested for a different make/model/type of respirator till a good fit is achieved. A successful respirator fit test contributes to worker safety.
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Intrinsic Analytics is Manitoba’s premier bioinformation services company. We provide personalized and customizable bioinformation and biochemical analysis for individuals, commercial enterprises and government agencies. We offer two main platforms, occupational health and personal health. In addition, we engage in health research aimed at developing new health related assays.