Respiratory fit testing - Articles

OSHA details most commonly-cited COVID-19 violations

November 18, 2020

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued guidance and an accompanying one-page summary outlining which standards are most frequently cited during coronavirus-related inspections.

Best Practices

Despite benefits in testing and observation, there are many risks to smoke tubes

Dan Markiewicz MS, CIH, CSP, RMP

October 14, 2020

Beneficial uses of smoke tubes include respirator fit tests and air flow observations and measurements. Users of smoke tubes must be aware, however, of the significant risks if the tool is misused. Proper use of smoke tubes, therefore, is essential.

GHD deploys digital industrial hygiene tool for essential employees during COVID-19

May 6, 2020

In response to COVID-19, global professional services company GHD rapidly developed and deployed a digital tool to help clients meet regulatory and operational requirements for essential employees.

RESPIRATOR FIT TESTER- AccuTec-IHS Inc.’s AccuFIT 9000™ RFT

November 4, 2018

AccuFIT 9000™ is a new RFT that uses a single mode of operation to perform fit tests on all respirator types including N95. Based on time-proven CNC Particle Counting it is both a ‘stand-alone’ device, or connects to PC’s and tablets using WiFi, Ethernet or USB to run 4 tests simultaneously.

OSHA 1910.134 Appendix A: Fit testing procedures (mandatory)

December 26, 2017

Certain respirators, known as tight-fitting respirators, must form a tight seal with your face or neck to work properly, according to OSHA. If your respirator doesn't fit your face properly, contaminated air can leak into your respirator facepiece, and you could breathe in hazardous substances.

NJ concrete co. exposes workers to airborne silica

January 19, 2017

County Concrete Corp. of East Orange, New Jersey is facing $88,544 in penalties after OSHA inspectors found multiple safety and health violations at the company. Foremost among them: employees were exposed to silica above the permissible limit as they cleaned concrete mixers. OSHA cited County Concrete for these same hazards in 2013.

OSHA’s interpretation of facial hair and respirator fit

From a 2016 OSHA Letter of Interpretation:

January 10, 2017

Question: If an employee with a neatly trimmed goatee is wearing a respirator and it does not interfere with the seal of the face piece or valve function, and has passed a fit test, does this meet the intent of the OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard?

OSHA wants to change respiratory protection standard

Fit-testing flexibility is the goal

October 10, 2016

OSHA has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to add two quantitative fit-testing protocols to the agency's Respiratory Protection Standard. The protocols would apply to employers in the general, shipyard and construction industries.

NIOSH’s 5th annual N95 Day is September 6

August 26, 2016

Here are NIOSH’s top 5 reasons to tune into N95 Day this year: 1. Using social media for respiratory protection resources – it’s like a breath of fresh air If you’re all about respiratory protection, then it’s all about #N95Day on September 6th.

Nextteq offers patented all-in-one irritant smoke generator

The VeriFit® Irritant Smoke Generator revolutionizes respirator fit testing

December 9, 2014

Nextteq’s VeriFit® Irritant Smoke Generator integrates all the necessary components of a traditional irritant smoke fit testing kit into one convenient device, and offers users cost and safety advantages compared to other qualitative fit test kits.