Is fit testing of respirators required?
A. Yes, OSHA requires that all respirators be fit tested in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134. A respirator must be fit tested before is can be issued to a user. A new fit test must be conducted any time the user changes respirator models or sizes. The Moldex Saccharin Fit Test Kit is recommended for fit testing Moldex N95 respirators. Q. What is a fit test? A. Fit testing is a way of ensuring that a respirator fits each individual wearer. Fit testing requires a subject to wear a respirator and a person to administer the test. There are two types of fit tests: quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative fit tests require sophisticated monitoring instruments. A qualitative fit test (QLFT) is a pass/fail test which requires the wearer to detect a test agent. OSHA accepts three protocols, which use isoamyl acetate (banana oil), saccharin, and irritant smoke as test agents. The isoamyl acetate test is used for chemical cartridges and relies on odor detection by the wearer. The Saccharin and I
