Respirator Fit Testing

Weber Emergency Services can deliver OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 and MIOSHA Part 451 compliant qualitative and quantitative respirator fit testing at your facility.

We have staff who are well versed in these standards as well as the procedures and requirement for both types of fit testing.

These standards require that employees who wear tight fitting respirators be fit tested using an approved method to verify that the respirator fits properly, prior to sending the employee into a potentially hazardous atmosphere.

The standards also require that the fit testing be performed at least annually to make certain that the respirator still fits appropriately.

Qualitative fit testing involves placing the wearer under a small hood and atomizing a solution to see whether or not the wearer can take or smell the challenge solution through the respirator.

This method, while cost effective, is not as precise as quantitative testing.

Quantitative fit testing involves hooking the respirator up to a computer controlled device which measures the concentration of particles both inside and outside the respirator to determine precisely how well the respirator fits the wearer, while it is in use.

This method, while incredibly precise, is more cost prohibitive for most organizations and agencies. Weber Emergency Services has access to this equipment and can bring it on site for you.