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Professional Fit Testing – Covid-19 Information Resources
Resources for employers, workers, and the general public about the evolving spread of the SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus).
The best way to prevent transmission of the coronavirus is avoidance. Mitigation guidance focuses on aerosol and fomite transmission and close-contact by stressing the need for wearing face masks, maintaining physical distancing, and implementing enhanced cleaning procedures focused on surface decontamination.
Important Links:
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
Standards and Directives- for worker exposure to novel COVID-19
Info for Workers & Employers About the Evolving Coronavirus Outbreak
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Check and Record Everyday (CARE)
CDC Protects and Prepares Communities
EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency)
Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2
AIHA (American Industrial Hygiene Association)
Get Back to Work Safely with Industry Specific Guidelines from AIHA
Respirator Fit Test Resources
How often does my organization need to repeat respirator fit testing?
Annual testing is recommended, however, the respirator fit testing must be repeated when:
- The user (employee) has had substantial changes in facial contours (for example, facial or jaw surgery, broken nose)
- The user has had substantial dental work
- The user has experienced significant weight loss or gain
- The brand of mask/respirator has changed (the employer has bought from a new brand)
A Temporary Enforcement Guidance has been issued by OSHA for the healthcare industry, which is enforceable only in case specific criteria are met.
As an employer, it is your responsibility to make sure your employee has access to – and is wearing – a properly tight-fitting respirator after undergoing a fit test. After that, they should go through the respirator fit test at least annually or according to the conditions described above.
How to prepare my organization for a respirator fit test?
When your employees are required to wear a respirator, it is critical for you (the employer) to stay within compliance of standard 29 CFR 1910.134. This OSHA standard states that each worker wearing a respirator must be clean-shaven and medically-evaluated to ensure a tight seal around their mouth and nose. You should not allow tight-fitting respirators to be donned by employees who have facial hair (sideburns, mustache, beard), as it can come between the face and the sealing surface of the respirator. This will interfere with the fit and most likely render the respirator useless.
Since Professional Fit Testing Services is based in North Carolina, can you service our other locations?
Yes, absolutely! We provide respirator fit test services nationwide – even the most remote locations. We have several mobile units and our experts can travel anywhere in the country.
How do you handle make-up or missed fit testing of workers since you are on-site for a short period of time?
We will coordinate with your local medical or healthcare provider in order to tie in the medical evaluation aspect and develop a turn-key program that will utilize all record-keeping into our data management system.
Who is responsible for scheduling the respirator fit testing or training-the-trainer programs?
You or someone within your organization will have to schedule the tests or training. However, your Custom Program Designer will be a great asset and provide unmatchable support in logistics and scheduling for your respiratory health program.
Professional Fit Testing Services can design a Testing Guide that we’ll send to your organization prior to the program. This guide will include all the information you need to make sure the program goes seamlessly.
Want To Know More? Call Us!
Want to schedule a respirator fit testing or want to request a no-nonsense quote today? Call us at (336) 802-1759 or contact us online.
