Mask Fit Testing Ontario: If you wear a tight-fitting respirator for work, then you need to have it tested to ensure that it fits you properly. Click on each the following sections to learn more.

1. Quantitative vs Qualitative Testing
2. Who Needs to Get It Done?
3. What Types of Respirators Require Fit Testing?
4. Do You Need Training Before You Use a Respirator?
5. When and How Often Do You Need Mask Fit Testing?
6. Facial Hair Restrictions
7. Other Requirements for Fit Testing

If you are looking for the most accurate mask fit testing Ontario has to offer, contact ACUTE.

Mask fit testing Ontario: If you wear a tight-fitting respirator for work, then you need to have it tested

Mask Fit Testing Ontario Regulations

Protect Your Workers:

According to the Government of Ontario, O. Reg. 833, if you are unable to protect your workers from exposure to a hazardous biological or chemical agent, then you must provide them with a respirator that is appropriate to the situation they are working in.

Get Respirators Tested:

As of January 1, 2020, all Ontario workplaces are required under O. Reg. 833 to make sure that any tight-fitting respirator that is to be worn by your workers, needs to be either qualitatively or quantitatively tested for a proper seal. In addition, workers are also required to conduct positive and negative pressure user seal checks before every use of their tight-fitting elastomeric respirator.

Other Requirements:

Some of the other requirements surrounding respirators for your workers outlined in Regulation 833 include:

• Setting up written procedures and protocols surrounding the selection, maintenance, and use of respirators
• Providing proper training and instructing your workers about the care and use of the respirators before they ever use them
• Ensuring that your respirators are well-maintained and kept in good condition
• Appointing a respiratory protection program administrator

Mask fit testing Ontario: If your staff works with harmful chemicals, they must be given an appropriate respirator

1. Mask Fit Testing Ontario: Quantitative vs Qualitative Testing

According to the government of Ontario regulations, if you wear a tight-fitting respirator for your job, then you need to get either a qualitative or quantitative fit test done on it.

Quantitative Fit Testing:

Quantitative fit testing gives you a numerical reading that will let you know how effective the seal is on your respirator. It uses a special measuring instrument called a porta count machine that can accurately measure face-seal leakage. Quantitative fit testing is a much more accurate form of testing than qualitative tests.

It is especially appropriate for workers who are wearing respirators in situations where there may be an immediate threat to life such as exposure to hazardous chemicals or contagions.

Qualitative Fit Testing:

Qualitative fit testing gives you either a pass or a fail result. This type of testing is performed by simply spraying some bitter or sweet aerosols near you while you are wearing your respirator.

If you can taste or smell the spray, or if you experience irritation then your respirator is not fitting you correctly.

Quantitative mask fit testing is a much more accurate form of testing than qualitative

2. Mask Fit Testing Ontario: Who Needs It Done?

If you wear a tight-fitting respirator for your job, then you need to get it fit tested. A respirator needs to fit you properly in order to keep you safe and give you the best protection possible.

3. Mask Fit Testing Ontario: What Types of Respirators Require Fit Testing?

There are several different types of respirators that need to be fit tested. These include:

• Filter Facepieces (N95)
• Half-Face Respirators
• Full-Face Respirators
• Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA’s)

Mask Fit Testing Ontario: There are several different types of respirators that need to be tested

4. Do You Need Training Before You Use a Respirator?

According to Ontario regulations, an employer needs to provide training and instruction to any worker before they use a respirator for the first time, teaching them how to properly care for and use it. This training needs to include:

• Understanding the limitations of the respirator
• How to inspect and properly maintain the respirator including “in the case of an air-purifying respirator, end of service life indicators or change out schedules for the cartridge, canister or filter”
• Proper fitting of the respirator
• How to properly clean and disinfect the respirator

For a complete list of all mask fit testing requirements please click here.

5. When and How Often Do You Need Mask Fit Testing?

You need to have respirator mask fit tested:

• Before you use your respirator for the first time
• At least once every 2 years
• If you change your respirator size – for example, if you lose weight and need a smaller respirator, then you will need to get fit tested for a new one.

Mask Fit Testing Ontario: You need to get respirator training

6. Mask Fit Testing Ontario: Facial Hair Restrictions

If you need to wear a tight-fitting respirator, then you cannot have facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of your facepiece and your face or any facial hair that will interfere with the proper functioning of your respirator.

When you have your fit testing done, you should be clean-shaven just like when you are wearing your respirator for work. Click here to see examples of acceptable Facial Hairstyles.

7. Other Requirements for Fit Testing

When you get your fit testing done you need to remember to wear your prescription eyewear if you need to wear it on the job. You also need to wear any personal protection equipment that you would normally wear on the job while you are getting your mask fit testing done.

Mask Fit Testing Ontario: You need to wear your prescription eyewear and any PPE you need

Why ACUTE Does Quantitative Fit Testing

ACUTE understands that as an employer, you want to ensure that your workers’ respirators are providing them with adequate protection as required by law. That’s why we provide the most accurate type of fit testing: Quantitative.

Most Accurate Measurement: As mentioned above, quantitative fit testing will provide you with the most accurate measurement. When it comes to your workers’ safety, you don’t want to be taking any chances, especially when they are working around harmful substances that can be life-threatening.

Meets Regulatory Requirements: The quantitative fit testing that ACUTE provides meets the regulatory requirements set out by the government of Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Allows an Employer to Provide Adequate Protection: Because quantitative testing is more accurate, it will help you as an employer ensure that your worker’s respirators provide them with adequate protection.

Gives You Proof of Testing: By doing a quantitative fit test, ACUTE can provide you with individual fit testing reports and fit testing cards which will give you proof that your testing has been completed and has been effective.

Respirator & Quantitative Fit Testing Packages

Held at Your Kitchener/Waterloo Location or at ACUTE’s Facility

Includes:

MSA 200LS Half Face Respirator and 1 pair of Advantage P100 Filter Cartridges

Get the Best Safety Training From ACUTE

You can trust ACUTE for the best safety training possible. ACUTE’s experienced team members have been serving safety professionals for over 20 years. You can rely on ACUTE for hands-on, physically distanced, practical safety training to keep your employees safe in the workplace. ACUTE is dedicated to workplace safety and understands the importance of course and training provider approval. Why get workplace safety training with ACUTE? Here are just some of the benefits of working with ACUTE:

• Open Door Instructor-Student Partnership – ACUTE’s training services emphasize client participation. Staff foster relationships with clients and serve as a touchstone for advice anytime moving forward.
• Serving Your Team and Industry – With a vast array of clients in the manufacturing, construction, health, academic, and government sectors, ACUTE brings the best safety practices from across the spectrum to your workplace.
• 100 Years Combined Experience – ACUTE provides comprehensive health and safety training, on-site safety services, and consulting services. With over 100 years of combined experience, our company staff offer more than theoretical or abstract ideas. ACUTE offers solutions.
• Track Record of Success – ACUTE is rated 4.9/5 stars on Google reviews, demonstrating a commitment to our clients, quality, and passion for training.

Check out our course calendar for times and dates of our courses.

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