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S Step 6 tep 6 User Seal Check, Fit-Test, & Issue RespiratorsUser Seal Check, Fit-Test, & Issue Respirators

Respirator Face Fitting Procedures
Respirator Face Fitting Procedures

The following step presents procedures for user
seal checking and fit-testing respirators used by
health care workers exposed to TB. All respira-
tors (excluding loose-fitting models) must be
fit-tested and user seal checked. A user seal
check is a method for determining whether a
respirator has been put on and adjusted to fit
properly and is performed every time a respira-
tor is worn. A fit-test is a method used to select
the respirator that provides an adequate and
comfortable fit. Fit tests should be completed at
regular, periodic intervals (e.g., annually) to en-
sure continued adequate fit.

Note: Respirator users who are not clean-
shaven, should not be fit-tested with tight-
fitting respirators because facial hair between Portacount unit.
the skin and the sealing surfaces of the Photo courtesy of 3M.
respirator will prevent a good seal. Tight-
fitting respirators cannot be assigned to or used when the respirator fits properly. Such knowl-
by workers with facial hair that interferes with edge is important because TB aerosol can leak
the seal. around the facepiece into the respirator and be
inhaled if the respirator does not fit the user’s
face. In the December 11, 1998, MMWR article,
Fit-Testing NIOSH found that fit testing " N95 respirators is
Fit-Testing ProceduresProcedures
essential in programs employing these respira-
A fit-test must be conducted to determine which tors and can eliminate poorly fitting respirators,
brand, model, and size of respirator fits the user ensuring at least the expected level of protection.
adequately and to ensure that the user knows Without surrogate fit testing, average exposure

for the 25-person panel was reduced to 33% of
the ambient level, which is much less protection
than expected of this class of respirators (i.e., ex-
posure reduced to <10% of ambient levels) How-
ever, when fit tested first, the panel received
substantially greater protection than normally
expected (the average exposure was reduced to
4% of the ambient level). Without fit testing, per-
sons unknowingly may have poor face seals, re-
sulting in excessive leakage and exposure" [CDC

Saccharin or 1998a]. Fit-testing is also required by OSHA [29
Bitrex Qualitative CFR 1910.139(e)(5)]. Determining facepiece fit
Fit Testing. involves qualitative fit-testing (QLFT) or quanti-
tative fit-testing (QNFT). A QLFT test relies on
Photo courtesy of
3M. the wearer’s subjective response to taste, odor, or

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