Fit Testing Disposable Respirators

Here are the key things you need to know about wearing disposable respirators and testing that they fit correctly:

Most disposable respirators used in the workplace are one size fits all i.e. they are not offered in different sizes.

The result is that most workers end up using disposable respirators that do not provide a good seal around their face, which exposes them to the airborne contaminants the mask is intended to protect them from.

Choose Brands with Variable Sizes

Employers should seek brands which offer varying size range e.g. large, medium and small to cater for as many of the natural variations in the workforce as possible.

Best practice businesses and high-risk industries that use respiratory protection have conducted fit testing for many years to ensure that the respiratory protection provided to their workers fits correctly and is effective.

Most workers who use disposable respirators do not know how to adjust them correctly. Passing a fit test alone does not guarantee that the workers will be protected from hazards. Workers need to be trained how to conduct a pre-use ‘fit check’ of their respirator every time before commencing work.

A qualified assessor needs to conduct the respirator fit testing, as while the testing procedure is standardised, the method for achieving a good fit differs.

Some fit testers with limited experience of the wide range of disposable respirators brands get more failed test results.

Good fit testing also involves coaching users in practical adjustments to help achieve the best result with available respirators, opposed to simply failing the fit test, and guidance on wearing and maintaining their selected respirator.

Find A Reliable Supplier

When selecting your choice of respirator(s) consider their reliability of supply, as some brands are experiencing shortages, which may cause a change of brands, which then need more fit testing.

If any workers experience a change in their facial structure, e.g. significant weight gain/loss, surgery or dental work, their usual respirator may not fit. In these circumstances employers need to arrange a new fit-test, as per the relevant Australian Standard AS 1715.

AS 1715 also recommends annual fit testing for personnel required to wear respirators regularly, particularly if the workplace contaminants are harmful e.g. toxic or pose serious health risks.

Workers who use disposable respirators and are required to also wear other personal protective equipment (PPE) may need assessment to ensure they do not interfere with each other. For example, if spectacles or safety glasses are normally worn at work, they should also be worn during the fit test.

Safety and Comfort

Finally, when choosing the preferred make and model of disposable respirator, comfort for the wearer is an important factor, along with cost and effectiveness.