Employees that wear improperly fitting respirators are at risk of breathing in harmful chemicals. A Respirator Fit Test ensures that the respirator is both comfortable and provides the user with the necessary protection.

• Qualitative testing (QLFT) relies on the employee’s sense of taste and smell to determine adequate respirator fit. QLFT is appropriate to ensure safety in low-risk environments, such as a well-ventilated paint booth.

• Quantitative fit testing (QNFT) measures the amount of leakage into the respirator to ensure employee safety in high-risk environments such as confined spaces. When concentrations of contaminants are ten times over OSHA’s limits, this type of testing may be required.

Not only does a fit test protect your team, but it is also an OSHA requirement (29 CFR 1910.134). Before they ever wear the respirator and annually thereafter, team members must pass Respirator Fit Testing with a respirator appropriately selected to protect against respiratory hazards at your facility. And prior to the respirator fit test, a medical evaluation must be completed.