Types of Respirators
Physical examination performed by a physician or licensed health care professional for individuals required to wear a respirator in accordance with job description. An OSHA Respirator Questionnaire Part A and/or B must be reviewed prior to or with the physical in order to clear the individual healthy and safe to wear a respirator. The OSHA employer authorization and Physician Written Opinion must be used with this service.
We test all kinds of respirators including N95, Full Face and Half face, SCBA masks, PAPR, etc. With Full Face, Half Face, and N95 respirators the wearer will need to shave any facial hair that will prevent the respirator from having a flush surface to seal against the face.
Qualitative Fit Testing
Qualitative fit testing is conducted by putting a hood over the test subject who is wearing the mask being tested. Bittrex or Saccharin are sprayed into the hood and the mask’s fit factor is decided if the test subject can smell or taste anything. If the mask fits properly, all seams should be leak-proof which means the subject should not be able to smell or taste the spray. While this test can be subjective to each person’s specific senses, qualitative testing can be used if the individuals are not in direct contact with any exposure. The individual wearing the respirator must remove any facial hair that lies where the seal has contact with the face.
Quantitative Fit Testing
Quantitative fit testing is done by probing the mask so a machine can scientifically prove that there are no leaks in the mask and that the wearer is properly protected. The individual wearing the mask will have to go through a series of simple movements and exercises to ensure that the respirator remains sealed to the face during common movements. Quantitative testing is the preferred form of testing for environments involving hazardous viral or airborne exposures. The individual wearing the respirator must remove any facial hair that lies where the seal has contact with the face.
N95 Fit Testing
OCS is certified to conduct either Qualitative or Quantitative fit testing. Because it is a respirator, an N95 mask needs to be tested just like full-face and half-face respirators. With N95 respirators being introduced to new types of industries, it is important for employees to wear a properly fitted mask to avoid any negative side-effects of breathing through a respirator over time. The individual wearing the respirator must remove any facial hair that lies where the seal has contact with the face.