Case Study: Qualitative Respirator Fit Testing

RHP’s Industrial Hygiene staff performed qualitative respirator fit testing for 500+ employees over a six-day period for a pharmaceutical company as part of their annual requirements under the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2)).

  • RHP provided the client with a portal for online medical evaluation questionnaire for its employees. OSHA requires employees to be medically cleared to wear a tight-fitting respirator prior to fit testing.
  • RHP qualitatively fit tested employees for multiple sizes of N-95 respirators; Employees who did not initially pass were successfully re-fit with a model size that better fit their face.
  • RHP followed protocols outlined in Appendix A of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 including respirator seal checks, placement of a test hood over the employee’s head, and completion of the eight-step qualitative fit testing protocol which incorporated required movements and reading of the Rainbow Passage.
  • During the eight-step exercise, OSHA-accepted test agents (e.g. Bitrex® and saccharin) were used to assess whether the respirator maintained an adequate seal to the employee’s face.

Case Study: Quantitative Respirator Fit Testing

RHP conducted quantitative respirator fit testing for half-face and full-face respirators for a dental and orthodontic manufacturer to ensure OSHA compliance as part of the client’s annual requirements under the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard [29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2)].

  • RHP provided the client with a portal for online medical evaluation questionnaire for its employees. OSHA requires employees to be medically cleared to wear a tight-fitting respirator prior to fit testing.
  • RHP followed protocols outlined in Appendix A of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 within a 10 ft. x 10 ft. room including respirator seal checks, generation of aerosolized salt, and completion of the eight-step quantitative fit testing protocol using a TSI PortaCount 8030.
  • Employees that did not pass the initial test were re-fit with alternative respirator makes or models to achieve a proper respirator fit.
  • All employees satisfied OSHA-required fit factors and successfully passed their tests. This reinforced the adequate implementation of the client’s respiratory protection program.