Quantitative Fit Testing

According to OSHA, a "fit" test tests the seal between the respirator's facepiece and the face of whom is wearing it. This test takes about fifteen minutes to complete and is performed at least annually. This type of test should not be mistaken for a user seal check. A user seal check is a quick check that is preformed by the wearer each time the respirator is put on. This test assures that the respirator is properly sealed to the face or needs to be readjusted. The two types of  respirator fit testing consists of qualitative and quantitative.

Quantitative fit testing is normally used for half-face respirators.These type of respirators only cover the mouth and nose. These are often filtering facepiece respirators that are called "N95s" and elastomertic respirators. This type of testing uses a machine to measure the actual amount of leakage into the facepiece and is not reliant on taste, smell, or irritation in order to detect leakage. The respirators in this testing will have a probe attached that will connect to a machine by a hose. There are three different type of quantitative fit testing methods that are accepted by OSHA: generated aerosol, ambient aerosol, and controlled negative pressure. These types of testing can be used for any type fitting respirator. Workers must wear personal protective equipment such as safety glasses and or earmuffs while preforming their job and if so, these workers must wear the same personal protective equipment (specific make, model, style, and size of the respirator) for completing the fit testing.

(http://www.hasc.com/site/Fit_Test.htm)

Quantitative Fit Testing Example

You must be fit tested before you use a respirator in the workplace and you must be retested every 12 months to see if the respirator you use still fits you. Not every respirator passes the fit test. If it fails, another make, model, and size must be tested in order to ensure that the respirator has a perfect seal. Employers must provide a reasonable variety of different respirators in order to ensure that the respirators of their workers are fitting properly. Knowing the make, model, and size as well as when and where you need to wear the respirators is important to ensure protection. The fit of the respirator must be retested whenever there is a change in physical conditions that could affect the way the respirators fit. These physical conditions include: large weight gain or loss, major dental work (such as new dentures), facial surgery that may have changed the shape of your face, and significant scarring in the area of the seal. These physical conditions can affect the way the respirator's ability of sealing the face properly. Any facial hair can affect the ability the ability of the respirator to protect you. Anything that comes in the way of the respirator's seal or gets into the valve can allow for contaminated air to leak in and cause less protection.

(http://www.ec-si.com/fit-testing.html)

Advantages and Disadvantages of  Quantitative Fit Testing

Although fit testing can follow you from job to job, the current employer is fully responsible in ensuring the fit testing and recordkeeping requirements of OSHA are well recorded and documented . The employer must ensure that the respirator is appropriate for the hazards to your face, the respirator is properly cleaned, maintained, and stored, and the proper schedule for replacing cartridges and filters are allowed.