Don’t confuse N95 fit testing with user seal checking

By: David LaHoda September 10th, 2009

Even with all the attention given to N95 respirator use for H1N1 protection and the need to fit test, some safety officers and IC managers still don’t understand that fit testing is not just teaching employees how to use N95 respirators.

Fit testing is only one element of a respiratory protection plan. See Scrambling for a respiratory protection plan for the elements required of an OSHA-compliant plan.

A fit test is a protocol to qualitatively or quantitatively evaluate the fit of a respirator on an individual. It is done prior to respirator use in conjunction with selection of respirators. It is not something that employees do themselves. OSHA requires employers to follow Appendix A of the respiratory protection plan for fit testing protocol. If you take a look at the document, it is obvious that fit testing is different from teaching employees how to put on and take off a respirator.

Don’t confuse fit testing with user seal checking either. That is a step in respirator training that employees are trained to do each time they put on a respirator.

One safety officer asked me, “If I show them how to put on the N95 and then pinch the metal band on the nose bridge for comfortable wearing, does that meet the OSHA fit test requirement?”

My reply: “No, that is not fit testing; it’s not even completely covering the basic training steps.”

Take a look at the two respiratory training video clips below. It visually shows the difference between fit testing and basic employee respirator use training.

By the way, the video from the clips below is a good way to cover basic respirator training, but NOT fit testing. That you cannot do by video. To purchase the entire video, click here.

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Comments(4) Featured, Pandemic Influenza

Comments

By Jeff Wesley on September 16th, 2009 at 3:40 pm

It is still not clear to me what is required for N95 Respirator fit testing. It appears that expensive equipment and dedicated space are necessary–not particularly feasible in a physicians’ office setting. Could you be more specific about EXACTLY what is required for fit testing of the N95 Respirator?
Also, does OSHA require N95 respirators for healthcare personnel in physician offices? With the deluge of information being flung at us all, a little simplicity would be welcome!

By David LaHoda on September 16th, 2009 at 4:18 pm

See Appendix A of the respiratory protection plan for fit testing protocol referenced in the post above. It doesn’t get more explanatory than that.

It’s a misconception that OSHA qualifies adherence to its standards based on the size or type of healthcare facility. An exposure is an exposure to OSHA, and it doesn’t matter whether it occurs in a hospital or doctor’s office.

The current CDC guideline, which OSHA will reference in matters of enforcement, Interim Guidance for Infection Control for Care of Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in a Healthcare Setting says: “All healthcare personnel who enter the rooms of patients in isolation with confirmed, suspected, or probable novel H1N1 influenza should wear a fit-tested disposable N95 respirator or better.”

It is worth repeating that this is the current recommendation. Click here to read the qualifier about possible changes to the CDC recommendation in this blog post.

By Kevin Wiley on October 1st, 2009 at 1:16 am

Mr. Wesley,

I am presuming you work for a Dr’s office
and from the questions you are asking it sounds like your office is not currently following the fit testing requirements. I will suggest that you need to hire a Occupational safety consultant to set up a respiritory protection plan as required, and have them do the fit testing for your staff. If your office is small enough, it may be cost effective for the fit testing to be contracted out. I will also recommend the same consultant look at your entire operation for overall OSHA compliance and set up your office to stay legal. OSHA fines are horrendus and may also lead to criminal complaints.

By MARGIE BRIGGS R.T. on March 26th, 2010 at 5:22 pm

WHY IS IT NECESSARY FOR HOSPITALS TO FIT TEST EMPLOYEES YEARLY? I HAVE WORN A SIZE MEDIUM FOR 12 YEARS AND UNFORTUNATELY HAVE GAINED 48 LBS IN THOSE 12 YEARS BUT STILL STAYED THE SAME SIZE MASK.