N95 Mask Fitting FIT Testing and Medical Clearance OSHA

N95 Mask Fitting, 1/2 face and Full Face Mask FIT Testing

Here at KSA Occupational Services, we know a respirator mask is only as good as its fit — and, in these times of need, we’re here to help with your FIT testing and Medical Online OSHA Respirator Medical Clearance.

Whether you’re an employer or an individual needing an N95 or other respirator mask for work, KSA welcomes you to take advantage of our Respirator Mask Fit-Testing services, performed by trained professionals. Especially during these unprecedented times, it’s important to ensure your team is outfitted with the correct size and model masks for each individual’s face.

As OSHA puts it: “A respirator can’t protect you if it doesn’t fit your face. It’s that simple.”

WHAT IS A FIT TEST?

A “fit test” tests the seal between the respirator’s facepiece and your face. It takes about 15-20 minutes to complete and should be performed at least annually. After passing a fit test with a respirator, you must use the exact same make, model, style, and size respirator on the job to ensure a proper fit. If your respirator doesn’t fit your face properly, contaminated air can leak into your respirator facepiece, putting you at risk for breathing in hazardous substances. This test can be performed on N95, half-face and full-face masks.

A fit test should not be confused with a user seal check, which is a quick check performed by the wearer each time the respirator is put on to determine if the respirator is properly seated to the face or needs adjusting.

WHAT TO EXPECT

KSA Occupational Services conducts Qualitative fit-testing AND Quantitative Fit-testing,

Qualitative FIT testing is a pass/fail test method that uses your sense of taste or smell to detect leakage into the respirator facepiece. Whether the respirator passes or fails the test is based simply on you detecting leakage of the test substance into your facepiece. KSA uses Saccharin, which leaves a sweet taste in the mouth, to test masks for leakage.

Quantitative fit testing uses a machine to measure the actual amount of leakage into the facepiece and does not rely upon the sense of taste, smell, or irritation in order to detect leakage. The respirators used during this type of fit testing will have a probe attached to the facepiece that will be connected to the machine by a hose.

There are three quantitative fit test methods accepted by OSHA:

• Generated aerosol
• Ambient aerosol
• Controlled Negative Pressure

Quantitative fit testing can be used for any type of tight-fitting respirator.  Many workers need to wear prescription glasses or personal protective equipment, such as safety goggles or earmuffs, while performing a job. If this is the case, then one must wear these items during the fit test to be sure there is no interference with the respirator’s fit.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Wear prescription glasses or personal protective equipment on the job?

Bring these items with you and wear them during the test to be sure they don’t interfere with the respirator’s fit.

Not everyone can get a good fit with one specific respirator.

If the respirator fails the fit test, then another make, model, style, or size must be tried until one is found that fits you properly. Therefore, you may want to arrive with a selection of sizes and models to choose from. Ask your employer to provide you with several different styles and sizes for the test.

Have you recently lost or gained a significant amount of weight or had facial or dental surgery?

Anyone who has experienced changes to their physical condition since his or her last fit test should consider coming in for retesting, as these changes could affect the ability of the respirator to seal property to the face, allowing contaminated air to leak into the facepiece.

Do you sport a beard or mustache? 

Facial hair can also affect your respirator’s ability to protect you. Anything that comes between your face and the respirator’s seal or gets into the respirator’s valves can allow contaminated air to leak into the respirator facepiece and you will not be protected.

QUESTIONS? Call KSA Today

Contact Us

• 529 Hartsville Pike
• Gallatin, TN 37066
• [email protected]
• 615-426-9556