Respirator Fit Testing Has Been Made Mandatory for the Medical Industry
Respiratory Protection for Medical Use
Respirators used in the medical industry do more than just protect the wearer. They form a barrier that prevents the wearer’s exhaled breath from entering the environment. In this way, protection is available for both the health care worker and their patients. However, this is only effective with the right fit.
That’s why respirator fit testing is now mandatory in the medical industry. With these vital facts in mind, we realised how important it is for us to provide insight into respirator fit testing. Today’s blog offers some helpful information on selecting your respirator and meeting fit testing requirements.
Types of Medical Respirators
Most are familiar with the standard surgical mask, but there are many types of medical respiratory protection. Here is a quick breakdown of the different kinds of respiratory protection for the medical industry.
Surgical Masks
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Disposable Respirator
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Reusable Elastomeric Respirators
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Powered Air-Purifying Respirator Solutions
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How to Provide the Best Respiratory Protection
Ensuring the respiratory protection of health care workers relies on a four-step procedure. Delta Health and Safety can advise you on your PPE. However, to ensure maximum protection we recommend consulting with an Occupational Hygienist.
1. Identify the Respiratory Hazard
Workers in the medical industry risk exposure to a range of hazards. These include bioaerosols and other particulates, gases and vapours.
Coughing, sneezing and breathing, and various procedures generate these airborne particles. It is essential to identify which risks are present and how long they remain in the air.
2. Assess the Risk
The next step is to assess the chances of medical practitioners encountering harmful particles and droplets. Infectious organisms like Influenza, TB and COVID-19 transmit through the air.
Health care workers are at particular risk of coming into contact with these. The risk will increase in cases where the practitioner works in a quarantined environment.
3. Select The Right Respiratory Protection
You now have a clear view of the particles present and the chances of affecting your staff. This gives you the necessary information to select appropriate respiratory protection.
One must also consider the respiratory protective equipment (RPE) mandated by the Department of Health. If you are unsure, the Delta Health and Safety team can guide you towards the correct RPE for your needs.
4. Respirator Fit Testing and Training
To ensure the effectiveness of RPE, you must first check that what you are purchasing perfectly fit your staff members. Once you are confident in this, it’s vital that you provide the wearers with training.
This training covers when and how to wear the respirator correctly and how to maintain reusable equipment.
More About Respirator Fit Testing
A face seal must be present to be sufficiently protected by any tightfitting RPE. Respirator fit testing checks whether this is the case and identifies any seal leaks.
This allows the correct fitting and appropriate training of a wearer in their RPE.
Why is Fit Testing Necessary?
The Department of Health has made fit testing a mandatory requirement for the healthcare space. The latest RPE policy issued cites this as necessary due to the “vast array of respirators now in circulation”.
The policy signed in August 2020 requires fit testing to be specific to the respirator brand and size to be worn by the individual. It also demands formal training of health workers to conduct their seal checks when donning RPE.
Respirator Fit Test Procedure
Respirator fit testing must be conducted when any RPE is issued and has to be repeated annually.
Two fit test procedures exist, the qualitative method and the quantitative method.
Qualitative Fit Testing
This method is easy and inexpensive to carry out. It does not require any equipment calibration or modification, and training allows staff to do it themselves. Unfortunately, it is not suitable for testing full face masks and is subjective, relying on the wearer’s responses.
Qualitative fit testing involves using the taste test method. A hood is fitted over the wearer’s head whilst wearing the RPE, and a controlled aerosol concentration is introduced.
If the aerosol concentration leaks into the respiratory device, the wearer will experience a specific taste. Depending on the chosen testing solution, this taste can be bitter or sweet. Testing the wearer’s sensitivity to the solution is crucial before trying it.
3M supplies two qualitative fit test kits, the FT-10 sweet solution and the FT-32 bitter solution.
Quantitative Fit Testing
The second fit testing method is objective and not subject to human influence. However, quantitative fit testing requires modification to the RPE facepiece and a trained operator to conduct it. This can often be expensive.
There are various ways to carry out this method, the simplest and least expensive is using a counting device. Portable particle counters measure the number of particles of a specific size within the RPE compared to external amounts.
Special Considerations in Respirator Fit Testing
You cannot wear tight-fitting respirators over facial hair. The hair creates a gap between the face and the RPE, preventing sealing. Ensuring that the wearer is cleanly shaven when fit testing is essential. The wearer should remain cleanly shaven for the duration that RPE is required. If this is not possible for any reason, such as religion, use other respiratory protective equipment.
The fit of RPE will also be affected by a weight loss or gain of 10 kgs or more. If a wearer experiences a significant weight change, it is necessary to repeat fit testing. This also applies if the wearer undergoes any major dental work or suffers a facial injury.
Delta Health and Safety Will Help You Meet Respirator Fit Testing Requirements
Take respiratory protection personally and ensure that you supply and fit healthcare workers with the appropriate equipment.
Delta Health and Safety’s extensively trained and knowledgeable staff are on hand to assist you. We can:
- Provide knowledgeable insight into your specific RPE needs
- Conduct fit testing for you on product purchased from us (Approx. R200 ex VAT per test per user subject to number of tests and location, further conditions apply)
- Conduct fit testing on product not purchased from us (enquire for costing)
- Equip you with the relevant fit testing machinery and training
- Supply your chosen form of RPE
We pride ourselves on going the extra mile and giving our clients complete peace of mind.