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Mullins, H.E.; Danisch, S.G.; and and comparison data with the saccharin-
Johnston, A.R.: Development of a New aerosol protocol. The reference for the article
Qualitative Test for Fit Testing Respira- is:
tors. American Industrial Hygiene
Journal. Vol. 56: 1068-1073 (November Myers, W.A.; Jaraiedi, M; and
1995). Hendricks, L.: Effectiveness of Fit
Check Methods on Half Mask Respira-
Based upon the information presented in this tors. Applied Occupational and Envi-
peer-reviewed article, OSHA will accept for ronmental Hygiene Journal. Vol. 10
an interim period the common Bitrex aero- (11): 934-942 (November 1995).
TM
sol QLFT procedure when performed using
the protocol described in the article, as a valid One of the main conclusions of the article
alternative to the other QLFT protocols. All was that when employees donned a respira-
of the QLFT protocols will be reviewed as tor and followed the manufacturers’ recom-
part of the 29 CFR 1910.134* revision. mended fit check procedures, the wearer was
better able to detect and thus prevent a
User seal checking Procedures: poorer-quality fit of the respirator. Hence,
the fit check provided an added assurance
In contrast to a QNFT or QLFT fit-test, a fit that the respirator was correctly being worn.
check is a quick determination of respirator This is currently under review by OSHA as
fit by the wearer each time a respirator is part of the 29 CFR 1910.134* revision.
donned to assure that a proper face-to-respi-
rator seal has been achieved. The require- Reuse of Disposable Respirators:
ments for fit checking are spelled out under
the last two sentences of 29 CFR According to NIOSH, the reuse of the Part 84
1910.134(5)(I):* particulate respirators is permitted for tuber-
culosis provided the respirators have not
“To assure proper protection, the been damaged, soiled, or the breathing resis-
facepiece fit shall be checked by the tance becomes great enough to cause discom-
wearer each time he puts on the respira- fort to the wearer (overloaded) or the
tor. This may be done by following the integrity of the mask has not been compro-
manufacturer’s facepiece fitting instruc- mised. OSHA accepts this view. Apparently
tion.” some suppliers of the new disposable respira-
tors are informing clients that the respirators
Concerns have been raised from the field can only be used one time and then must be
about user seal checking procedures and replaced.
whether or not there is a valid procedure for
user seal checking disposable respirators. The We suggest individuals who have any addi-
user seal check on a disposable respirator is tional questions or require any further assis-
difficult and often less reliable than fit checks tance should contact either Richard Fairfax of
done on an elastomeric half mask respirator. my staff at (202) 219-8036 or the local OSHA
However, a recently published article does Regional Office (see attachment).
provide valid information on how to conduct
a user seal check with a disposable respira-
tor. The article also provides a validation
* 29 CFR 1910.134 is now codified for protection against TB as 29 CFR 1910.139.
95
