Safety First Training Ltd. by Safety First Training Ltd

The use of a proper respirator is important for healthcare employees who are going to communicate with patients with transmissible respiratory diseases. The OSHA healthcare facilities sustain a respiratory protection program that establishes provisions such as annual fit testing, medical clearance, and training. Just like an overhead crane operator course is required to operate a crane in a proper way as same an initial respiratory mask fit test is needed before using a respirator. The fit testing is needed when there are changes in an employee’s physical condition that could impact respirator fit. However, during a contagious disease attack, such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), when there are many other requests for your time, and resources are being preserved, it is essential to go through a mask fit testing for all types of masks.

The Purpose of Fit Testing

Fit testing ensures the fit of any respirator that creates a tight seal on the user’s face before it is used in the workplace. This assures that users are acquiring the desired level of safeguard by minimizing impurity leakage into the face piece.

Fit Test Methods

There are two techniques of fit testing quantitative and qualitative. A quantitative fit test uses a tool to numerically calculate the usefulness of the respirator. A qualitative fit test is a test that depends on the individual’s senses (taste or smell). These techniques are explained in the OSHA rules and the hospital respiratory safety device kit. A prosperous fit test only permits you to use the precise brand and size of the respirator that you wore during that test.

Which Fit Testing is better for Conserving Time and Supplies

With the international impact of COVID-19, qualitative fit testing is the best method of N95 mask fit testing and other mask fit testing to help slow the insufficiency of the inventory of N95 respirators, because the respirator used for a qualitative fit test can be modeled again after the test. But, the operators getting out these fit tests must be well-trained and highly experienced.

Fit Testing Kits

With an expansion in the number of employees needing fit testing, questions emerge about being prepared with the proper number of fit testing kits.

The first thing to comprehend is that the number of fit testing kits bought should not be based on the number of fit tests that can be performed per kit.

Believe that not everyone will pass the fit test the first time, re-testing with different samples and sizes will take more time and resolution.

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