If you wear a close-fitting respirator for work that relies on the face seal to achieve the designed protection, then you need to ensure that your respirator has been properly fit tested. This is a requirement of the standard AS/NZS 1715.
Fit testing is required for employees wearing tight-fighting respirators, such as disposable or reusable respirators. This procedure helps ensure the user has selected the correct size respirator and that a seal against the face can be made in order to provide the expected protection.
Fit testing should be conducted:
- Before a respirator is issued to ensure the correct size and a proper fit is achieved.
- Whenever there is a change of facial characteristics or other features e.g. loss of teeth, excessive change in weight, if biological testing shows excessive exposure to contaminants.
- At least every 12 months.
There are two types of fit tests that are generally used:
Qualitative fit testing:
- These are fast and easy to perform. However, the test relies on the respirator wearer's subjective response and as such, it is not as reliable as a quantitative fit test.
- The wearer will have a hood placed over their head while fitted with a respirator and be asked to perform a series of movements and tasks such as breathing deeply, moving their head side to side or up and down. A fine spray that has a distinctive smell or taste will be sprayed into the hood. If the wearer is unable to smell or taste the spray, then a good face seal has been achieved.
Quantitative fit testing:
- pH7 uses the latest PortaCount Fit Tester 8048+ with FitPro Ultra software to accurately measure the efficiency of a respirator at preventing material in the atmosphere from entering the wearer's breathing zone.
7 reasons to choose pH7 for your fit testing
- Commit2Fit certified fit testers.
- They come to you.
- While their fit testers are qualified in both Qualitative and Quantitative fit testing, pH7 only conducts the latter.
- Fit testing is conducted primarily at their office in Highbrook, Auckland.
- On site fit testing, by arrangement and where practical, is subject to a minimum group size of 10 people.
- Affordable pricing.
Call now for a quote on 0800 323 223 or send ph7 an enquiry by clicking on the enquiry button at the bottom of this article.
The New Zealand Occupational Hygiene Society (NZOHS) Commit2Fit Training and Competency Scheme.
Commit2Fit aim to increase the number of fit testers and to ensure a minimum level of competency is achieved sofit testing is correct and reliable.
Commit2Fit respiratory protective equipment (RPE) competency assessment scheme is based on ISO 16975-3 criteria.
All those who pass the C2F scheme become competent fit testers and are added to the NZOHS RPE Fit Test Provider register. Individuals can then be approached directly by workplaces to conduct fit testing for tight fitting respirators.
Commit2Fit have worked closely with the experts in WorkSafe NZ. Following this scheme is not compulsory and employers are free to take other action to comply with the law. But if you follow this scheme, you will be doing enough to demonstrate good practice.
The RPE FitTester Register as well as additional information about Commit2Fit can be accessed through the website linked at the bottom of this article.
Worksafe Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) Advice
WorkSafe also offer guidance for businesses and workers, and information about the respirator selector tool.
You can access these resources by clicking the link at the bottom of this article.
Advice for businesses
This quick guide is for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) and it explains some factors to consider when providing your workers with RPE.
Advice for workers
This quick guide is for workers who use RPE at work.
Respirator selector tool
The respirator selection tool has been developed to help workplaces find the right respirator for their employees and help manage their respiratory protection programme.
The tool was developed by the Health and Safety Executive, NHS Health Scotland and Healthy Working Lives (HWL), and can be used by New Zealand workplaces to assist in choosing and managing the correct respiratory protection.
Enquire with ph7 NZOHS Commit2Fit 3M™ Fit Testing Overview 3M™ ANZ Fit Testing White Paper WorkSafe RPE Information
