How Respirator Fit Tests are Done N95
How to conduct a Respirator Fit Test
For N95 and Respirators, when searching the question “How Respirator Fit Tests are Done N95” or similar How to conduct a Respirator Fit Test? , it seems every answer on Google starts the same way. They jump right into the actual procedures and miss the entire front end of the process. The WorkSafe BC Regulations 8.40 Fit Tests under section (2) states the following. “Fit tests must be performed in accordance with procedures in CSA Standard CAN/CSA-Z94.4-02, Selection, Use, and Care of Respirators.”
Now you might ask what that has to do with testing the face seal of a persons respirator. The answer is Everything. A proper fit test just doesn’t jump right into putting a hood over the person being tested and squirting in some sweet or bitters solution, or pumping irritant smoke around d their head while performing the required exercises. In fact, those are the last steps in a Respirator Fit Test.
Respirator Instructional Safety Orientation
Respirator Fit Test Procedures
Respirator Fit Test Procedures have three main sections that are vital. The focus of these sections is educational and delivered in the form of a pre test Respirator Instructional Safety Orientation. When conducting this part, I use a form I developed and have the person being tested check off each section and part their off as I verbally give the narrative. These sections are, Selection, Use, and Care of Respirators.
Yet prior to these sections, as a professional fit tester I always ask the worker about their medical history. Have they been sick in the past 6 months. Are they sick now. Have they ever breathed in any toxic fumes in the past, are they smokers. Any lung related allergies. All these question circle around one main question. Are they going to be able to breath through a HEAP filter with out any discomfort or prior medical condition getting in the way of the health and safety. Over long periods of time breathing through a filter can become difficult and in some cases even cause the worker to feel claustrophobic or even like they are suffocating.
Selection Use and Care of Respirators
1. Selection
Since Covid-19 there has been several new manufactures in the N95 cloth respirator market place. Yet for Half-Face and Full-Face Respirators that require a HEPA filter to be attached, the 2 main brand name manufactures are Honeywell International Inc. and 3M. Between these two, there are dozens upon dozens of different types, sizes and models to choose from.
However, with in the general construction industry, there are only a few that are consistently being used. This is due to a couple different reasons. One being, price point. For the most part, companies will not spend over $50 per respirator per employee. Added to that are the cost of HEPA filters and the cost of fit testing itself. This can add up to $100 for each worker.
Size is also a variable in the3 selection process. Most workers either require a medium or a large respirator. This can be increasingly difficult when it comes to the N95 cloth respirators as most of these are manufactured in a large size. Yet some are available in small as well. An example of this would be the 3M 1860s. A small version of the 8210 and mostly found in the medical communities.
2. Use
This section covers a whole range of questions asked and discussed during the pre test portion. For example, what type of a environment is the worker working in requiring the need for a respirator in the first place. Not only will the answer determine the type of respirator, but the HEPA filters that are required. Once again there are several to choose from. What are the Hazards? Silica dust, asbestos, biological, acids, solvents, and the list goes on. Using the correct filters is vital for the situation and hazards that will be encountered. Using the wrong ones could be inviting injury or worse to the worker.
In addition to this section is explaining how to properly donn and respirator and where gaps could occur if worn incorrectly. For example, if unshaven a face seal will not be achieved. Or how face jewelry, dentures, and even scares can interfere with the seal. As well what else can interfere with a perfect face seal. Like safety glasses sliding under the nose bridge of the respirator.
Next, demonstrating how workers must conduct a self check pre task or pre shift, with every use of their respirator. Once instructed, have the worker perform the act to ensure they understand how its done.
3. Care
With in this section the fit tester has to demonstrate how to disassemble clean and reassemble their respirator. Added to that is proper storage for both their respirator and filters. During Covid, one of the main topics for this was disinfecting your respirator. In the case of N95 cloth masks several videos on YouTube gave a number of ways to do this. Most of them if followed would have resulted in the worker becoming very ill. Not from the contamination, but from the products suggested to be used for disinfecting. One went as far as to suggest Lysol be used. That would be a defiant NO.
In short, after a complete disassembly of your respirator just use dawn dish soap in warm water and hand clean each piece thoroughly. Never use a chemical. To disinfect and to keep fresh throughout the day, 99% Isopropyl Alcohol is best. Why? Because any excess will just evaporate.
Crucial is proper storage. Explaining to never just hang their respirator on a hook by their work area is the worst idea. Dust and debris will find their way inside the breathing area, and next when worn again, inside the person lungs. At the very least, using a freezer Ziploc bag works great. Better yet is Rubbermaid or Tupperware type of box. The same goes for their filters. Some filters contain charcoal which is a magnet for odors. If not separated from the outside air, they keep on working. Magnetically attracting odors, soon they’ll become saturated and non functioning. With prices now a days, the bad habit of not securing your filters could become very expensive over time.
Finally in the care section, where a worker or company can get replacement respirator parts and filters is always beneficial. Purchasing prices very considerably across the marketplace. Specifically, safety supply stores tend to be a whole lot cheaper then the average general use hardware stores. As well, suggesting the use of a filter exchange program is a good idea. In this way a company can keep track of when new filters are being signed out. Filters get saturated at different times depending on other hazard controls and what hazardous materials are being used.
How is a Respirator Fit Test done? When the narrative of those 3 main sections are completed, that’s when the fit test procedure can commence, and not before hand.
To see an in-depth breakdown of the in house form used, please see the page
Questions on a Respirator Fit Test Form in 6 sections
For more on Fit Testing or to Contract FreeBird Safety to perform Respirator Fit tests on your workers,
