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OSHA Respirator Fit Test Requirements

Respirators protect workers against designated hazards. However, an important fact about respirators is this--one size does not fit all. A fit test should be performed on any worker using a respirator, and the employee should only use the respirator on which the test was conducted. OSHA Standards 29 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 1910.134 covers the requirements for respirator fit testing.

  1. Medical Evaluation

    • Before fit testing and using a respirator, a medical evaluation on the worker is required. A licensed medical professional must conduct the evaluation, then fill out a medical evaluation questionnaire (available in OSHA's CFR Manual, section 1910.134, appendix C.) The evaluations should be kept in the workers' files.

    A Tight Fit is Mandatory

    • OSHA requires employers to provide at least two brands of respirators for employees to choose from. A tight fit is required, and providing a variety of brands helps workers obtain the best fit for them. Another aspect of the "tight fit" rule is that the worker must not have hair or facial hair that prevents the tight fit of a respirator. OSHA mandates that workers remove any hair or facial hair that causes a nuisance in the correct respirator fit.

    Correct Fit Considerations

    • A respirator fit test shall review the comfort of the fit on the worker. Facts to consider include position of the mask on the nose, room for eye protection, room to talk, and position of the mask on the face and cheeks. Safety requirements for the adequacy of the respirator fit include the same aspects as the comfort requirements, plus strap tension and the tendency of the respirator to slip. A seal-check test should be performed by the testing personnel, as well as by the worker wearing the respirator to ensure a correct fit.

    Exercise Regimen

    • A proper fit test requires that a worker perform certain exercises while wearing a respirator. The worker should be able to breathe normally and to perform deep breathing, without experiencing any breathing distress. Movement tests are also conducted, such as being able to turn the head from side to side as well as up and down. The worker should be able to talk and move his mouth into a frown or smile. Bending over to touch his toes, and jogging in place are also tests to ensure that a respirator will retain a tight seal during active work.

    Keeping Out Hazardous Air

    • A QLFT (Qualitative Fit Test) Protocol or a QNFT (Quantitative Fit Test) should be conducted to test the quality of the air that a worker might be exposed to. The QJFT is least expensive and is the test that many employers choose. In this "smell and taste" test, workers are exposed to three OSHA-mandated substances to determine whether a worker can smell or taste any of the three. Under a saccharin test, which is well-known, workers detect a sweetness if there is a leak somewhere in or around the respirator.

      QNFT is a test that measures particles that go through a respirator. A sampling probe is installed inside the mask within the breathing zone of the worker to temporarily sample the air. A smoke test is also conducted by blowing smoke near the worker who is wearing a respirator to determine whether harmful smoke or gases can penetrate the mask or get in around the seal on the face.

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