Respirator Fit Tester Certification

Modes of Instruction:

Safety Links offers this service in the following formats:

• "Open" enrollment in Central Florida
• At your site anywhere in North America

Service Introduction/ Synopsis:

This four hour Train-the-Trainer class is designed to provide attendees with information on how to perform a qualitative fit test and quantitative fit test. The class will focus on the OSHA standard pertaining to respirators and OSHA fit testing protocols.

Each participant will perform a series of hands on fit tests utilizing the OSHA step-by-step method for various protocols. Safety Links will provide the fit test kit and supplies to demonstrate the protocol during the training. If possible participants should bring their own respirator to be fit tested on.

Respirator Fit Tester Certification

By the end of this course you will be able to: Select a respirator, inspect and don a respirator, Conduct and document a qualitative fit test, Conduct and document a quantitative fit test

Topics include:

• The general requirements of OSHA's respirator standard, 29 CFR 1910.134
• The purpose of respirator fit testing
• The basic forms of air contaminants
• The types of respirators requiring fit testing
• The respirator donning procedure
• The qualitative fit test procedures (Bitrix, Saccharin, Banana Oil, Irritant Smoke, etc.)
• The quantitative fit test procedure (using a Portacount)

Details:

When OSHA's revised Respiratory Protection Standard, 29 CFR 1910.134, became effective on April 8, 1998, it provided employers with an all-inclusive reference source for fit testing guidelines. Before its revision, the standard made reference to testing a respirator's "face-piece-to-face seal," but provided no additional guidance on how to perform the test. The standard now specifies what needs fit testing, the kinds of fit tests allowed, the procedures for conducting them, and how frequently fit tests must be performed.

29 CFR 1910.134(f) states, "Before an employee may be required to use any respirator with a negative or positive pressure tight-fitting face piece, the employee must be fit tested with the same make, model, style, and size of respirator that will be used." This statement is noteworthy because it mandates that tight-fitting positive pressure face pieces such as those used in PAPRs and airline respirators be fit tested. The statement also does not exclude disposable particulate respirators from fit testing.

How long is the certification good for?

This certification does not expire however we recommend re-training every three (3) years especially if you do not conduct fit testing often.