Respirator Fit Testing (Half Mask & Full Face)

Workers exposed to respiratory hazards in the workplace or worksite are required to wear a respirator (N95, a half mask, or a fullface-piece). Respirators are a unique piece of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) because workers are required to be trained on the selection, use, care, and maintenance of this critical piece of protective wear. As well as the training, a qualitative fit test is required every two (2) years to ensure the selected respirator fits the individual and provides the intended protection. Employers must also ensure that respirators are are used, maintained and stored according to manufacturers' instructions, applicable standards, and legislated requirements. Our fit testing program therefore includes training as well as fit-testing, and certificates are provided along with a record of training for health and safety record-keeping purposes.

ONTARIO COMPLIANCE ALERT: Respiratory Protection regulations as of January 1, 2020 The Ministry of Labour has finalized changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and it's regulations requiring more stringent guidelines on protecting workers from exposures to airborne respiratory hazards. Reviewing your respiratory protection program and fit testing schedule is recommended. Please let us know if you have any questions, we'd love to help.

Fit-testing for COVID-19 related respiratory hazards BEST PRACTICES should:

• Be completed by a third party and not an employer or management which creates a conflict of interest.
• Be with the Irritant Smoke Protocol at a minimum. The hood and sweet or bitter solution method is too subjective and depends on the wearer's taste/smell and honest response. While this method remains in the standards, it is not accurate and therefore leaves questions around liability.
• Be completed on all respiratory protection provided in the workplace (N95, Half-mask and Full Facepiece Respirators)
• Be a NIOSH-approved respirator.

RELEVANT REGULATIONS:

• CSA Standard Z94.4-18 (-11, -02, -18)
• O. Reg. 213/91, sections 21, 26 and 93 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act
• O. Reg. 490/09 (2019) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act - Medical Surveillance for Designated Substances *New for January 2020
• O. Reg. 449/19 Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL)
• OHS Act and Regulations that pertain to the use of respirators, multiple sections of the green book. Anyone required to wear a respirator on the job is required to be trained in it's use and have a fit test at least every two years.

IN PREPARATION FOR YOUR FIT TEST:

1. Candidates must be clean shaven within 16 hours as per the CSA Standards in order to be fit-tested. Some forms of facial hair that fit within the respirator are acceptable, though where the respirator seals to the face must be clean-shaven. For those with facial hair that cannot be removed for spiritual or personal reasons, models of respirators are available such as Powered-Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) that create a positive pressure system to protect the wearer.
2. Please remove facial jewelry or other items that come between the skin and respirator.
3. Fit tests are done on an exact make(s) and model(s) of respirator(s) and not on the category of respirator as a whole. There is great variance between makes and models and some face shapes fair better with specific models. Our expertise comes in to play when making recommendations. Please note that the respirator you are fit-tested on should be in adequate supply.
4. Candidates are required to provide their own respirator(s) to be fit-tested on or be prepared to purchase one here. We carry the 3M and North by Honeywell models. These do not include filters or cartridges. If it is an N95/P95/R95 particulate respirator that you're looking to be fit-tested on, please see alternate sessions for these. If you are bringing a half-mask or full facepiece respirator, please bring the P100 filters that match (unless it is a 3M or North by Honeywell brand, in which case we have filters for use during fit-testing) and ensure it has been inspected to be clean and is in good condition. If a respirator is missing components or not in good working condition, fit-testing can not safely be completed. Respirators are available to be purchased from our retail space for fit testing purposes as needed.

COURSE CONTENT:

Our Qualitative Respirator Fit Testing meets the CSA Standard Z94.4-18 on fit testing as well as on the selection, use, and care of respirators (Z94.4-02) and includes both a minimum instructional component that varies in length depending on the type of respirator. A qualitative fit test is then completed using accurate, objective irritant smoke test methods. Finally, a short written examination reviews the content for half-mask and full-facepiece respirators (as needed).

Topics covered include the regulatory requirements and responsibilities of the wearer in the use of their PPE, the proper donning and doffing of the respirator, care and maintenance including cleaning and sanitizing, limitations of various respirators, how to complete inspections, compatibility with other PPE, completing seal/pressure checks, identification of respiratory hazards, and information on the proper selection of a filter or cartridge based on the intended use of the respirator.

At First For Safety, we use the most accurate qualitative fit testing methods available.

TRAINING & FIT-TESTING REQUIREMENTS:

Qualitative respirator fit tests and training on the PPE is to be completed every 2 years as per the CSA Standards and enforced through our OH&S Act and Regulations. However, if someone changes jobs, losses or gains a significant amount of weight, experiences an injury to the face, has changed or been requested to change respirators, or if the hazards of the workplace have been re-assessed - a fit test is required. When in doubt, consult the respirator's user manual for the manufacturer's recommendation if under two years.

COMPLETION:

• Successfully demonstrate requirements donning/doffing and completing seal checks for the appropriate respirator (N95, Half Mask, Full Facepiece) and passed a qualitative fit test.
• Complete the written review test (Half Mask, Full Facepiece) as needed
• Attend and participate in 100% of the course including a fit test (Irritant Smoke method)

PARTICIPANT MATERIALS:

• Includes a copy of the Instructor's Fit Test Results and a Certificate of Completion, a laminated wallet card (upon request) and a Record of Training for Employers (as applicable).

PRICING - PUBLIC COURSES (Choose from dates below)

• Public Fit Test Session $68.50 +HST per participant
• Each additional mask/respirator fit-tested on: $10 +HST per mask for each person

PRIVATE SESSIONS (1:1) and GROUP RATES (Groups of 6+): Please request a quotation for the best pricing available by emailing us with the following information: (a) Number of Candidates, (b) Preferred location, (c) Type of Respirator(s), and (d) Type or hazard or industry.

• Private Appointment $85 + HST per participant

Public Fit Test Sessions are offered during peak demand periods. Otherwise, private appointments and private group training are available. Our office can also be reached during business hours of Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, by calling 705-526-3853, emailing info@firstforsafety.ca, or visiting us in-person at 105 Fourth Street in Midland, Ontario.