In Ontario, Occupational Health and Safety legislation often requires face fit testing to be performed as part of a sound overall respiratory protection program, which should also include policies, procedures, and fit test training. They note, “The test must be performed before the worker first uses the respirator.”  The test is often referred to as a 3M fit test since 3M masks are among the most popular.

A “fit test” is performed to determine if a respirator such as an N95 or KN95 mask fits the user’s face properly.  If the respirator is to provide adequate protection it must form a tight seal against the wearer’s face.  Mask fit testing is mandatory when a user is required to wear a respirator on the job.  The fit test certification needs to be attained annually or whenever a different size, style, model or make of respirator is used.  Any change in facial hair or significant weight fluctuation would require face fit testing to be renewed as fit could be adversely affected.

A qualitative fit test or quantitative fit testing must be performed before the worker can perform duties in a workplace requiring a mask. Mask fit testing is critically important to the health and wellbeing of workers. The A properly-fitted respirator can help protect workers from hazardous airborne particles that may lead to disease or illness.

A fit test is a test protocol conducted to verify that a respirator is both comfortable and provides the wearer with the expected protection. Fit testing uses a test agent, either qualitatively detected by the wearer’s sense of taste, smell, or involuntary cough (irritant smoke) or quantitatively measured by an instrument, to verify the respirator’s fit.

Medlee offers 3M™ Qualitative Fit Test Apparatus, FT-30, bitter

The 3M™ Qualitative Fit Test Apparatus FT-10 meets the performance criteria for fit testing respirators under the current CSA Z94.4 respirator standard and US OSHA Standard for Respirator Protection: 29 CFR 1910.134, Appendix A.

3M™ Qualitative Fit Test Apparatus Kits and Accessories are designed to help your organization meet CSA Respriatory standard Z94.4 and US OSHA fit testing requirements for respirators. These products can be used to check face-to-respirator seals on any particulate respirator or gas/vapour respirator with a particulate prefilter. The 3M™ Qualitative Fit Test Apparatus FT-10 includes one instruction booklet (English, Spanish, Portuguese, French), one 3M™ Sensitivity Solution FT-31 (bitter), one 3M™ Fit Test Solution FT-32 (bitter), two 3M™ Nebulizers FT-13, one 3M™ Test Hood FT-14, one 3M™ Collar FT-15, and two sets of replacement nebulizer inserts.

• Can be used to check respirator-to-face seal on any particulate respirator or gas/vapour respirator with a particulate prefilter
• Includes a test solution of sodium saccharin that produces a sweet-tasting aerosol

Are fit test required?

Yes. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (29 CFR 1910.134) requires respirator users to be fit tested to confirm the fit of any respirator that forms a tight seal on your face before using it in the workplace. Fit testing is important to ensure the expected level of protection is provided by minimizing the total amount of contaminant leakage into the facepiece through the face seal.

What types of respirators require fit testing?

Tight-fitting respirators used within a workplace respiratory protection program are required to be fit tested prior to use. Tight-fitting respirators include filtering facepiece respirators, elastomeric half and full facepiece respirators, tight-fitting powered-air purifying respirators, self-contained breathing apparatus, etc..

How often do I need to complete a fit test?

You should be fit tested at least annually to ensure your respirator continues to fit you properly. Because each brand, model, and size of respirators will fit slightly different, you should be fit tested every time you wear a new model, manufacturer type/brand, or size. Also, if your weight changes or facial/dental alterations occur, a fit test should be done again to ensure your respirator remains effective.

What is a quantitative fit test?

A qualitative fit test (QLFT) relies on the respirator wearer’s senses to determine if there is a gap in the seal of the respirator to the wearer’s face. 3M™ Qualitative Fit Test Apparatus, FT-30, bitter provide a fast, easy method for performing qualitative fit testing. Can be used with any particulate respirator or any gas and vapour respirator with a particulate filter. Helps satisfy respiratory program requirements. Can be used during respirator training programs. Convenient, reliable and economical to use. Determines employee's taste threshold to fit test solution. Allows exercises to be performed in a test atmosphere

Please click here to purchase 3M™ Qualitative Fit Test Apparatus, FT-30, bitter