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H
A APPENDIXPPENDIX H
Appendix A to 1910.134: Fit Testing Procedure
Part I. OSHA-Accepted Fit Test Protocols
A. Fit Testing Procedures—General Require-
ments
The employer shall conduct fit testing using the
following procedures. The requirements in this
appendix apply to all OSHA-accepted fit test
methods, both QLFT and QNFT.
1. The test subject shall be allowed to pick the
most acceptable respirator from a sufficient
number of respirator models and sizes so that
the respirator is acceptable to, and correctly fits,
the user.
2. Prior to the selection process, the test subject 7. The following criteria shall be used to help
shall be shown how to put on a respirator, how
it should be positioned on the face, how to set
strap tension and how to determine an accept-
able fit. A mirror shall be available to assist the
subject in evaluating the fit and positioning of
the respirator. This instruction may not consti-
tute the subject’s formal training on respirator
use, because it is only a review.
3. The test subject shall be informed that he/
she is being asked to select the respirator that
provides the most acceptable fit. Each respira-
tor represents a different size and shape, and if
fitted and used properly, will provide adequate
protection.
4. The test subject shall be instructed to hold
each chosen facepiece up to the face and elimi-
nate those that obviously do not give an accept-
able fit.
5. The more acceptable facepieces are noted in
case the one selected proves unacceptable; the
most comfortable mask is donned and worn at
least five minutes to assess comfort. Assistance
in assessing comfort can be given by discussing
the points in the following item A.6. If the test
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subject is not familiar with using a particular
respirator, the test subject shall be directed to
don the mask several times and to adjust the
straps each time to become adept at setting
proper tension on the straps.
6. Assessment of comfort shall include a review
of the following points with the test subject and
allowing the test subject adequate time to deter-
mine the comfort of the respirator:
(a) Position of the mask on the nose
(b) Room for eye protection
(c) Room to talk
(d) Position of mask on face and cheeks
determine the adequacy of the respirator fit:
(a) Chin properly placed;
(b) Adequate strap tension, not overly tight-
ened;
(c) Fit across nose bridge;
(d) Respirator of proper size to span distance
from nose to chin;
(e) Tendency of respirator to slip;
(f) Self-observation in mirror to evaluate fit and
respirator position.
8. The test subject shall conduct a user seal
check, either the negative and positive pressure
seal checks described in Appendix B-1 of this
section or those recommended by the respira-
tor manufacturer which provide equivalent
protection to the procedures in Appendix B- 1.
Before conducting the negative and positive
pressure checks, the subject shall be told to seat
the mask on the face by moving the head from
side-to-side and up and down slowly while