• CLEARANCE SECTION
• POWERED AIR RESPIRTORS
• PELTOR ELECTRONIC HEADSETS
• HALF & FULL FACE RESPIRATORS
• SUPPLIED AIR RESPIRATOR SYSTEMS
• DUST MASK RESPIRATORS
• PERFORMANCE COATED GLOVES
• ARC FLASH PROTECTION
• DISPOSABLE COVERALLS & CLOTHING
• EAR PLUGS
• DISPOSABLE GLOVES

Respirator Fit Test Kits

Providing your employees with respiratory protection is just the tip of the iceberg; you have to ensure that it works like it’s supposed to before you implement it in the workplace. That’s where Enviro Safety Products comes in. We carry an extensive selection of respirator fit test kits and replacement components at extremely affordable prices, so you can make sure your employees stay safe without breaking your safety budget. We invite you to take a few moments, browse our comprehensive collection of respirator fit test equipment and order what you need today.

In order to ensure your employees stay safe, it’s important to conduct regular tests of their personal protective equipment. This is particularly true when it comes to respirator gas masks – because masks that do not work can cost your employees their lives.

Respirator Fit Testing: The Guidelines

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires respirator fit testing in all workplaces where employees will wear self-contained respirators and supplied air respirators. Every employee who will be required to wear a respirator must be fitted. Governed by 29 CFR 1910.134, OSHA outlines acceptable respirator fit testing protocols in Appendix A of their “Personal Protective Equipment" standard.

OSHA’s requirements include allowing the test subject to choose a respirator from a variety of sizes and models, taught how to properly don and position a respirator, and how to tell if it fits properly. Employers must also provide employees with a mirror during respirator fit testing.

Each employee participating in respirator fit testing must wear the respirator of his or her choice for five minutes to make sure it fits comfortably and can provide adequate respiratory protection. During the five-minute testing period, the user and the tester will evaluate the mask to make sure it leaves enough room for eye protection, allows the user to talk and doesn’t hurt the wearer in any way.

While the mask is on, employees must also:

• breathe normally, in a normal standing position, without talking
• breathe deeply, while standing
• turn his or her head side to side (and inhale on each side) to ensure the seal on the mask stays intact
• move his or her head up and down and inhale in the “up" position to ensure the seal on the mask stays intact
• speak slowly and loudly
• smile or frown
• bend over

If the mask fits properly, none of these movements or activities will cause the seal between the wearer’s face and the mask to break.

Respirator Fit Test Equipment: QLFTs and Odor Threshold Screening

In order to conduct a proper qualitative fit test, or QLFT, employers must use also odor threshold screening. That means that proper respirator fit test equipment is present at the testing site – and that it is used properly. Odor threshold screening should not be used for particulate respirator fit testing unless the respirator has an organic vapor filter.

A full qualitative fit test kit will include an instruction manual, sensitivity solution, test solution, nebulizers, a hood, a collar assembly and replacement nebulizer inserts. Test kits are available with both bitter and sweet sensitivity solutions, so employers can conduct a full range of tests with each employee as required by OSHA standards.

Replacing Components of Respirator Fit Test Kits

Each component of a respirator fit test kit is replaceable. Some components, like the test hood and the collar, are designed to be reusable. However, the sensitivity solutions run out after several tests, and occasionally, nebulizer inserts need to be replaced as well.

At Enviro Safety Products, we offer complete respirator fit test kits and replacement respirator fit test equipment at affordable prices, so you can ensure your employees stay safe without going over budget. If you have questions about which respirator fit test kit or replacement components you need to order, call our friendly and knowledgeable customer service representatives at (800)637-6606.