If you work in the medical, manufacturing, or construction industry, you’re probably familiar with the respirator fit test. This is a test that will show if a tight-fitting respirator can be worn without experiencing any leaks that would allow airborne hazards to pass through the mask.
A respirator can’t protect you if it doesn’t fit your face. It’s that simple!
Fit testing is a pass/fail test method that uses your sense of taste or smell or your reaction to an irritant in order to detect leakage into the respirator facepiece. Advantage Physical Therapy – FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Center in Ventura, CA offers fit mask testing to test for protection against gasses such as H2s.
Certain respirators, known as tight-fitting respirators, must form a tight seal with your face or neck to work properly. If your respirator doesn’t fit your face properly, contaminated air can leak into your respirator facepiece, and you could breathe in hazardous substances.
Contact our office today to learn more about our services and how we can help your employees to be as safe as possible.
What is the fit mask test?
If your employees are required to wear a respirator to work, OSHA requires that you ensure each employee’s mask fits properly during a Qualitative Fit Test (QLFT). OSHA accepts four testing methods, including the use of Isoamyl acetate (smells like a banana), saccharin, bitrex, or smoke (causes coughing if the test fails). OSHA also only requires respirator fit testing on tight-fitting respirators, and those respirators that don’t rely on a tight seal around a person’s face do not require testing.
The VPPA explains that respirators are either categorized as loose-fitting or tight-fitting. Because tight-fitting respirators can’t protect you unless they fit, they’re held to tougher standards.
A qualitative respirator fit test is performed mostly for masks such as the N-95 face mask. It uses a person’s sense of taste or smell, and/or their reaction to specific irritants in order to detect leaks. If the person wearing the mask can detect leakage of the test subject, the test will be marked as failed.
Other fit mask testing requirements
Respirator fit tests at Advantage Physical Therapy – FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Center in Ventura, CA must be administered before an employee wears the respirator for the first time, as well as annually. If there are changes to an employee’s face (weight change, surgery, or scarring, for example), the test must be given again.
Employees that take the test must wear the exact make, model, and size respirator that they will be wearing on the job. If an employee wears goggles or glasses on the job, they must be worn during the test as well to ensure that the respirator will still fit properly. Our trained physical therapists are dedicated to helping you achieve a pain-free life.
Contact Advantage Physical Therapy – FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Center today for information
Do your employees require a fit mask test? Contact our office today to learn more about our testing services and how they can help you set yourself and your employees up for the safest working conditions possible. We know your employee’s safety is a top priority, and we’re here to help!