Today we are going to take a look at what fit testing is and why it is a necessary part of your respiratory protection plan.

Acute has over 100 years of combined experience with in-house or on-site worker environmental and safety training. We want to help you get the training you need to keep your workers safe.

We’ll explain what fit testing is, the government regulations surrounding it, and how you can get the best protection for your workers. So, let’s get going.

Fit testing measures the fit of your respirator to ensure that it is giving you effective protection

Do You Need Fit Testing?

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

Quantitative fit testing will give you an extremely accurate measurement of the fit of your respirators. As an employer, this type of respiratory protection will help you ensure that your workers’ respirators are providing them with adequate protection as required by law.

During your fit testing, you will be asked to do a series of moving, breathing and talking exercises to simulate your normal work environment so the tester can see that your respirator fits well during your daily routine.

You will be asked to perform movements similar to those you do during your daily routine

Why Is Fit Testing Important?

It Is Required By Law:

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.

Ensures a Proper Level of Protection:

Fit testing will ensure that your respirator is fitting you right and has a proper seal to provide you with effective protection. As an employer, you want to make sure that your workers are always protected on the job, especially in the COVID era, and you want to make sure that you are in compliance with government safety regulations.

Checks that You Have the Right Respirator:

There are different types of respirators available. Having a fit test will let you know that you are using the right make, model and size of respirator for your particular situation.

Great Training Resource:

Doing fit testing will give you the training you need to properly use your respirator.

Assesses Your Comfort:

Fit training will also help you assess the comfort level of your respirator and make appropriate adjustments. If you have to wear your respirator for long periods of time, it is essential that it fits properly and that you are comfortable wearing it.

If you wear your respirator for long periods of time, it’s important that it fits comfortably

Qualitative vs Quantitative Fit Testing

There are two types of fit testing: qualitative and quantitative.

Qualitative Testing:

Qualitative testing is a simple test where bitter or sweet aerosols are sprayed near you while you are wearing your respirator. If you are able to taste the spray, then your respirator isn’t fitting you properly. This test only gives you a pass or fail result.

Quantitative Testing:

Quantitative testing on the other hand is a much more accurate way of testing your respirator fit. It involves taking numerical readings of your respirator seal to show you how effective the seal is.

Quantitative testing is more accurate than qualitative

When Do You Need Fit Testing?

You need to have fit testing done:

• 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 be fit tested for a new one.

Special Requirements for Fit Testing

No facial hair:

If you wear a tight-fitting respirator, then you cannot have any facial hair that “comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interferes with the functioning of the respirator.”  When you have your fit testing done, you should be clean-shaven just like when you are wearing your respirator for work.

Prescription Eyewear:

If you wear prescription eyewear when you are on the job, then you need to wear it for your fit testing too.

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE):

You should also wear any personal protection equipment during your test if you wear this when you are on the job.

If you use PPE, wear it during your fit testing

Types of Respirators

There are many different types of respirators that require fit testing, including:

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

Respiratory Protection – Employers’ Responsibilities

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.

Some of the requirements 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

If you are unable to protect your workers from exposure to a hazardous agent, then you must provide them with a respirator that is appropriate to the situation they are working in

Respiratory Protection Training

Before you use a respirator on the job, you must receive proper training. This instruction needs to include:

• Understanding the limitation of the respirator
• Learning 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
• Cleaning and disinfecting the respirator
• For a complete list of all requirements please click here.

ACUTE Quantitative Fit Testing

ACUTE can provide you with quantitative fit testing. Not only will we make sure that your respirators fit properly, but we will also provide you with a fit test report and a fit test card for each individual testing.

ACUTE can conduct the quantitative fit testing training either at your facility or at our own training facility, whichever will suit your needs best. There are some great benefits to both approaches.

By completing your training on-site we can save your staff travel time. By completing your training at our facility you can benefit from our spacious training room, our state-of-the-art hands-on training space, and full use of our break room.

You can get your fit testing done at our facility or yours

Respirator & Quantitative Fit Testing Package

ACUTE Respirator & Quantitative Fit Testing Package

At ACUTE’s Location:

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

At Your Kitchener/Waterloo Location:

Includes: MSA 200LS Half Face Respirator and 1 pair of Advantage P100 Filter Cartridges (You need a minimum of 8 Fit Tests per session for this package)
*There is an additional rental fee for the PortaCount Pro

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 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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