Respiratory Fit Testing

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires anyone who wears a respirator for work to undergo annual respiratory fit testing. At Monument Occupational Medicine in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Susan Cump, PA, Anjmun Sharma, MD, and their team provide respiratory fit testing to professionals in various industries. Call Monument Occupational Medicine today to schedule a respiratory fit testing appointment, or book your visit online.

What is respiratory fit testing?

Respiratory fit testing is an outpatient procedure that finds a respirator (mask) to fit your face. If you work in a potentially hazardous environment like a hospital, you must wear a mask that fits well to provide a tight seal. If it doesn’t, your lungs and the rest of your respiratory system can be exposed to harmful substances, increasing your risk of illness or injury.

Fit testing ensures that your mask meets your specific needs. Because respirator sizes vary across models and brands, a professional assessment is necessary.

How many types of respiratory fit testing do you offer?

The Monument Occupational Medicine Team provides two types of respiratory fit testing:

Qualitative fit testing

Qualitative fit testing is graded on a pass/fail basis. It measures your sense of taste and smell or reaction to irritants to detect respirator leakage. The team typically recommends this test if you wear a mask that only covers your mouth and nose, like an N-95.

Quantitative fit testing

Quantitative fit testing measures the amount of leakage into the facepiece of a tight-fitting respirator. The team recommends this test if you wear a full face mask at work and are regularly exposed to airborne chemicals or other substances.

How do I prepare for respiratory fit testing?

Preparing for respiratory fit testing is easy. Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking at least 15 minutes before the exam. Fill out the required OSHA evaluation questionnaire and make sure that you know how to safely put on and remove your employer-issued respirator (mask).

What happens during respiratory fit testing?

Respiratory fit testing takes 20-30 minutes.

At the beginning of the test, you’re asked to wear the facemask that you regularly wear at work. The team assesses your ability to smell or taste air leaking into it during seven different activities. These activities include:

• Normal breathing
• Deep breathing
• Turning your head side to side
• Moving your head up and down
• Talking
• Bending over (or jogging in place)
• Normal breathing again

If air escapes your face mask during any of these activities, your provider has you readjust your mask and go through the activities again. You pass the test if you complete every activity and can’t smell or taste any outside air.

After you pass the test, your Monument Occupational Medicine provider signs your OSHA paperwork.

Call Monument Occupational Medicine today to schedule a respiratory fit testing appointment, or book your visit online.