Q: We currently train LPNs to review the OSHA questionnaires, and when there are any answers that are red flags, they would take the questionnaire to the providers to review. However, if the OSHA questionnaire is negative, the staff would then perform the fit testing at that time. Is this protocol correct?
A: Per OSHA guidelines, you are following the best practices. The key is the providers oversee the red flags, and it’s their decision for additional testing.
Respirator Fit Testing Policy
OSHA agencies require employers to fit test workers who must wear respirators on the job. A respirator can’t protect if it doesn’t fit the face. Certain respirators, known as tight-fitting respirators, must form a tight seal with the face or neck to work properly. If the respirator doesn’t fit the face properly, contaminated air can leak into the respirator facepiece, and the employee could breathe in hazardous substances.
Before an employee wears a tight-fitting respirator at work, the employer must be sure the respirator fits the employee. The employer does this by performing a fit test on the employees. That way, employees know their respirator fits properly and can protect them, as long as they use it correctly.
A fit test tests the seal between the respirator’s facepiece and employee’s face. It takes about fifteen to twenty minutes to complete and is performed at least annually. There are two types of fit tests: qualitative and quantitative.
Qualitative fit testing is a pass/fail test method that uses your sense of taste or smell or your reaction to an irritant to detect leakage into the respirator facepiece. It does not measure the actual amount of leakage. Whether the respirator passes or fails the test is based on your detection of leakage of the test substance into your facepiece. Four qualitative fit test methods accepted by OSHA are:
- Isoamyl acetate, which smells like bananas
- Saccharin, which leaves a sweet taste in your mouth
- Bitrex, which leaves a bitter taste in your mouth
- Irritant smoke, which can cause coughing
Qualitative fit testing is normally used for half-mask respirators, those that just cover your mouth and nose. Half-mask respirators can be filtering facepiece respirators, often called “N95s,” as well as elastomeric respirators.
Quantitative fit testing uses a machine to measure the actual amount of leakage into the facepiece and does not rely on your sense of taste, smell, or irritation to detect leakage. Three quantitative fit test methods accepted by OSHA are:
- Generated aerosol
- Ambient aerosol
- Controlled negative pressure
Employees must be fit tested before using a respirator in the workplace and must be retested at least every 12 months to make sure the respirator used still fits. Employees must be fit tested with the specific make, model, style, and size of respirator they will be using on the job. It’s very important you know which make, model, style, and size respirator fits your face properly and when and where you’ll need to wear it for protection.
