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854 Lead Safety in Construction
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Fit Testing

Fit testing is a procedure used to determine how well a respirator "fits"-that is, whether the respirator forms a seal on the user's face.

Respirator Fit Testing

Before any employee first starts wearing a respirator in the work environment, the employer must perform a respirator fit test. For all employees wearing negative or positive pressure tight-fitting facepiece respirators, the employer must perform either qualitative or quantitative fit tests using an OSHA-accepted fit testing protocol. Employees must be fit tested whenever a different respirator facepiece is used, and at least annually thereafter.

If an employee has difficulty in breathing during a fit test or while using a respirator, the employer must make a medical examination available to that employee to determine whether he or she can wear a respirator safely.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

3-6. What action must an employer take if an employee has difficulty in breathing during a respirator fit test?