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Employees working a position that is regulated by OSHA Respirator Standard CFR 1910.134 are required to have a respirator fit testing done at least once a year. The test is always done before working with a new mask or after changes in the employee’s facial characteristics. Annual or more frequent tests ensure a continuous protection against mask wear and tear and facial changes.
Respirator Fit Testing (RFT) is mandated by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) on the federal level and state level for most localities. Failure to comply can be costly to employers who are fined up to $7,000 for the first offense and $70,000 for repeated offenses. These penalties are much higher when compared to a RFT that averages under $100 per test.
QUALITATIVE RESPIRATOR FIT TEST
For job positions where a mask is required, CPR Baltimore specializes in the affordable and effective testing procedure called Qualitative testing. In this test, the employee wears the facemask along with a hood over their head. The tester then applies a series of test agents and gauges the employee’s ability to detect the smells and tastes. Individuals who are able to detect these agents must have their mask adjusted or changed for proper fitting.
The test agents generally used include:
- Saccharin – a sweet tasting solid aerosol.
- Isoamyl acetate – a liquid that produces a sweet smelling vapor similar to bananas.
- BitrexTM – a bitter tasting solid aerosol.
- Irritant smoke – a solid aerosol made of stannic oxychloride that produces hydrochloric acid when it comes in contact with water vapor.
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