Respiratory Fit Testing

Respiratory protection is often a critical control for atmospheric contaminants: dust, Respirable Crystalline Silica, etc.

OHS risks are required to be identified and managed and respiratory fit testing can be a critical part of managing occupational exposure risk.

Australian Standard 1715 (Respiratory Protection) directs that some form of respiratory fit testing be undertaken as part of the Respiratory Protection Program. This can be done qualitatively, using an odour or  it can be done quantitatively – a process that actually provides a personal fit factor – level of protection provided by that specific respirator for that person.

Advantages of the quantitative fit testing are:

• Provides more information about the fit of a respirator
• Supports training in how to properly wear respirators
• Identified when certain respirators are not providing an adequate level of protection

Periodic fit testing (yearly, for example) can be an important check that the control is working and a useful time to engage with workers about the importance of using respiratory protection to protect their health.

If you are using respirators – how are you meeting the regulatory requirements to maintain and review the controls?

Resile can conduct fit testing at your site or our clinics – contact our Workplace Occupational Risk Consulting team [email protected]