BLR’s Safety Training Presentations

1. BLR’s Safety Training Presentations Respirator Fit Testing29 CFR 1910.134 App.A

2. Goals • General fit test requirements and qualitative fit test procedures • Quantitative fit test procedures • Quiz

3. Selecting a Respirator • Choose from different models and sizes • Find the best fit • Learn how to put on respirator • Become familiar with the respirator • Wear for 5 minutes

4. Assess Comfort • Position on nose • Room for eye protection • Room to talk • Position on face and cheeks

5. Respirator Fit • Chin placement • Strap tension • Bridge of nose • Spans nose to chin distance • Does not slip

6. Positive Pressure Seal Check • Cover exhalation valve • Exhale gently • Slight inflation • No evidence of leaks

7. Negative Pressure Seal Check • Cover inlet opening • Inhale gently and hold breath • Face piece remains deflated • No inward leakage

8. Fit Test Issues • Facial hair • Difficulty breathing • Unacceptable respirator fit • Exercise description • Applicable safety equipment

9. Test Exercises • Normal breathing • Deep breathing • Turn head to side • Move head up and down • Talk • Grimace • Bend over • Normal breathing

10. Isoamyl Acetate Protocol • Odor screening • Two bottles prepared • Bottle shaken and sniffed • Unidentified—no fit test • Identified—fit test

11. Isoamyl Acetate Fit Test • Test chamber • Organic vapor cartridges • IAA in test chamber • 2-minute waiting period • Fit test exercises • Smell—fail test • Pass—remove respirator and take breath

12. Saccharin Solution • Taste threshold screening • Enclosure about the head • Breathe through mouth, tongue extended • Spray 10 squeezes of threshold solution • Note when tasted • No taste after 30 squeezes—fail

13. Saccharin Fit Test • Do not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum • Wear respirator, put on enclosure • Breathe through mouth, tongue extended • Spray same number of squeezes • Perform fit test exercises • Taste saccharin—fail • No taste—pass

14. BitrexTM Solution • Taste threshold screening • Enclosure about the head • Breathe through mouth, tongue extended • Spray 10 squeezes of threshold solution • Note when tasted • No taste after 30—fail

15. BitrexTM Fit Test • Do not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum • Wear respirator, put on enclosure • Breathe through mouth, tongue extended • Spray same number of squeezes • Perform fit test exercises • Taste Bitrex—fail • No taste—pass

16. Irritant Smoke • HEPA or P100 filter • Irritates eyes, lungs,nasal passages • Break tube—squeeze bulb and tubing • Smell weak concentration of smoke • No reaction—fail

17. Irritant Smoke Fit Test • Close eyes • Direct smoke around face seal • Begin test exercises • Smoke detected—fail • No response—pass • Sensitivity check

18. Goals • General fit test requirements and qualitative fit test procedures • Quantitative fit test procedures • Quiz

19. Quantitative Fit Test • Nonhazardous test aerosols • Ambient aerosols • Controlled negative pressure • Performed by qualified persons • Clean and calibrated equipment

20. Aerosol Quantitative Fit Test • Test chamber • HEPA or P100 filter • In-mask air sampling • Test atmosphere • Clean and inspect respirator

21. Aerosol Quantitative Procedure • User seal check • Stable test agent concentration • Concentration measured inside respirator • Respirator comfortable and not adjusted • Test exercises • Fail—5% half mask, 1% full face

22. CNC Quantitative Fit Test • Inspect respirator and probe • Wear respirator for 5 minutes • Begin test—perform exercises • Results will be calculated automatically • Keep a record of the test

23. Controlled Negative Pressure • Tester must be trained • Maintains constant negative pressure • Determines leakage air flow • Attachments replace filter cartridge • Employee closes mouth and holds breath • Minimum fit factor required to pass

24. CNP Fit Test • Normal breathing • Deep breathing • Turn head side to side • Move head up and down • Talk • Grimace • Bend over • Normal breathing

25. CNP REDON • Normal breathing • Bending over • Head shaking • REDON #1 • REDON #2 • Calculate fit factor

26. Goals • General fit test requirements and qualitative fit test procedures • Quantitative fit test procedures • Quiz

27. Summary • Select a comfortable respirator • Do user seal checks • Tell the tester when the chemical is tasted or smelled • Perform all the test exercises • Only wear respirators that have been fit tested

28. Quiz 1. What should you consider when assessing the comfort of a respirator? 2. How should you check your respirator’s seal each time you put it on? 3. What is the purpose of the test exercises? 4. What is another name for isoamyl acetate? 5. How do you breathe during the saccharin fit test?

29. Quiz (cont.) 6. How many squeezes of BitrexTM does a person get during the fit test? 7.What are some of the health hazards of the irritant smoke test? 8.What does a quantitative fit test measure? 9.What does the CNP test require after each exercise? 10.What different test exercises does the CNP REDON test require?

30. Quiz Answers 1. Position on nose, room for eye protection, room to talk, fit on cheeks 2. Perform positive and negative seal checks 3. To simulate movement during work to see if the respirator remains sealed 4. Banana oil 5. Breathe through open mouth with tongue out

31. Quiz Answers (cont.) 6. The same number it took to taste the Bitrex during the taste threshold screening 7. Irritates eyes, lungs, and nasal passages 8. Concentrations inside and outside the respirator 9. Hold breath for 10 seconds during sampling 10. Employee must remove and redon the respirator two times