Entries tagged with “fit test”.


There are two types of fit testing, 1. quantitative and, 2. qualitative. For quantitative fit testing you’ll need a machine (ex. Portacount),  a respirator that will protect more than 50x the limits (>full face).  I will not cover this type of fit testing in this post, but it is very similar.

For qualitative fit testing you will need:

A medical clearance (not needed if you are wearing a paper dust mask) for each employee wearing a respirator.

Respirator w/P-100 filters (1/2 face respirator or more protective), aka HEPA filters, purple in color.

fit test kit -your choices are: saccharine, irritant smoke, Bitrex, or isoamyl acetate-bananas. Buy it online, or at your local safety supplier. Look at their instructions.

My preference is to use irritant smoke. The reasons are;

  1.  if they cough, it means they smelled it.
  2. it doesn’t require a containment to be built to perform the fit testing.

The employee must be clean shaven around where the mask touches the face.  I allow “short” goaties where the facial hair does not touch the mask. The fit test procedures are easy to follow and found inside the kit. There are 8-steps, do each one for about 1 minute each.

As you fill out each individual’s form, make sure you include:

  • if the employee is clean shaven
  • what type of respirator is being worn (size, brand, model)
  • what type of filters are being worn
  • what type of fit test kit you used

While you have the employee captive, you might as well give them some training. Here are some questions and/or points to note.

  • did you train them on positive & negative fit checks?
  • why are they wearing a respirator?
  • what are the limitations of their respirator?
  • how will they store the respirator?
  • how will they sanitize it?
  • will they share their respirator?

Finally, sign and date the form. It expires one year from this date. Simple? yes.  Easy to forget something? yes.

This blog-post is directed to employees….the drywall framers, hangers, tapers, fireproofers & plasteres who sand and finish mud & drywall.

Question: What type of respirator do you wear when you sand?

…answer? Anything I can find.

This question misleading… and is similar to the one where the attorney asks in divorce court, “Do you beat your wife only when you’re drunk, or all the time?”

But, reiterate.  Do you ever NOT wear a respirator when sanding?  Answer: No. We always wear a respirator. It’s dusty.

So if I may ask a leading question (as a bad attorney): What type of respirator would you wear if you were worried about OVERexposure?

Answer: a tight fitting 1/2 face (or full face, for eye protection & fogging control) negative pressure respirator with HEPA cartridges.

I think I’ve made my point. Why would you choose a paper dust mask? The fit is mediocre, they are disposable, you cannot fit test them (very well). Who cares if it’s a N95 or P100. You can feel the dust escaping around your nose. Below are some “average” pictures of people sanding. What will you do?   more info here