Essential Time for a Respirator Fit Test. 30 to 45 Min.
Essential Time for a Respirator Fit Test. 30 to 45 Min.
The Essential Time for a Respirator Fit Test should be 30 to 45 minutes. You need to be instructed on the essential aspects of respirator safety. Others advertise a time frame for a fit test is only 15 minutes. WorkSafe BC clearly states in Regulation 8.40(2) that “ Fit tests must be performed in accordance with procedures in CSA Standard CAN/CSA-Z94.4-02, Selection, Use, and Care of Respirators.
With that being said, this particular standard is over 110 pages long. To fully deliver the safety narrative required as directed by WorkSafe in 15 minutes is next to impossible. Furthermore, if the respirator fit testing your receiving is only 15 minutes long, you are NOT being delivered the required information and training.
Mind you, not all the information in the standard is required for every person. Depending on the task at hand, what the worker is being exposed to, and other aspects requiring the use of a respirator, only certain aspects will need to be instructed to the worker. It’s not just insuring a correct face to mask seal.
This is especially true for those having a fit test for the first time. It is essential that the workers requiring a respirator fit test not only hear the information, but understand it. Otherwise, their safety is at risk. In addition , demonstrations are conducted in regards to the Care section of the instructional.
Respirator Selection and Use
Respirator Selection and Use details the correct respirator and filtration for different tasks and environments. Donning the incorrect one can be life threatening. For example, wearing a N95 style when drilling concrete will result in Silicosis due to Crystalline Silica Dust. This procedure required a Half Face respirator with P100 HEPA filters. Moreover, a person who paints cars will also need different filters. They will require P100 Organic Vapor Cartages.
Care of Respirators
Within the Care of Respirators instructional not only is information being delivered, demonstrating curtain aspects are vital. The information conveyed to the worker consists of proper storage, pre use inspections, how to clear their respirator, cleaning products to use and products never to use, and what tools can help in the cleaning process
Demonstration how to disassemble and reassemble a respirator is crucial. Special care must be explained in detail. Otherwise, specific parts of a respirator can be damaged such as the intake and exhaust one way check valve diaphragms. The overall message being instructed with in this section is this; If you do not take care of your respirator, it will not take care of you.
Additional Information
Other areas FreeBird Safety covers during a respirator fit testing procedure are hazard assessments and controls, medical concerns, general safety aspects, and other PPE that could interfere with a respirators seal. For example, the use of safety glasses while donning a Half face respirator. If worn on the nose, safety glasses can work their way under the nose part of the respirator mask. This intern will cause a gap thereby allowing the harmful substance to be inhaled by the worker. In addition, safety glasses can become fogged up inhibiting vision.
The solution for this can be anti fog whips. Or safety glasses with the anti fog chemicals imbedded into the glasses themselves. However, to remove both issues would be to place the bridge of your safety glasses on the nose of the respirator itself and securing them down with a small piece of tape.
So you see, the Essential Time for a Respirator Fit Test is much longer then 15 minutes. If its not taking 30 to 45 minutes then you are not getting your moneys worth for the service and you’re also going to be at risk.
