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Respirator Fit Testing

$75 + GST per test
Discounts available for group bookings

Testing available onsite, nationwide or at our training and testing facility located in Brisbane.




If you have employees that wear tight fitting respirators, either disposable/reusable/half and full face, then it is a requirement to have a “Fit Test” conducted and ensure your employees have optimal protection. 

Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1715:2009 - Selection, Use and Maintenance of Respiratory Protection, states that:


"Employers shall ensure a suitable fit test is carried out for all users of Respiratory Protective Equipment with a close fitting face piece at least annually or whenever there is a change in the wearer's facial characteristics".


The proper fitting of respiratory protective equipment requires the use of some type of fit test to determine an adequate match between the facepiece of the RPE and face of the wearer.

 

A respirator fit test should be conducted when any close fitting RPE is being worn per the below guidelines. 

 

•Before the respirator is issued. This will ensure the choice of respirator is suitable.

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•At least annually or whenever there is a change in the wearer's facial characteristics or other features which may affect the facial seal of the respirator. i.e. Excessive weight gain or loss and major dental work. 

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•If the wearer will be required to wear a different make, type or size of respirator

 

Keys Testing Services can provide a fast professional solution - our Quantitative Face Fit Testing is available on-site* throughout Australia.

 


Quantitative and Qualitative fit testing explained
 
Quantitative Fit Testing (objective) Gold Standard
A quantitative fit test measures the adequacy of a respirator's fit by numerically measuring the amount of leakage into the respirator. This method of fit testing eliminates any guess work as it does not incorporate a person's sense of smell, taste or sensitivity to irritant chemicals.
 
The PortaCount works by measuring the concentration of microscopic dust particles in the ambient air and then measuring the concentration of those dust particles that leak into the respirator. The ratio of these two concentrations is called the fit factor. The filters stop essentially all the particles so anything that gets into the mask must have come through the face seal. A quantitative fit test is not affected by the person's sense of smell, taste or sensitivity to irritant chemicals. This fit test procedure takes about 10 minutes.


 
Qualitative Fit Testing (subjective) - not advocated by Keys HR Testing Services
A qualitative fit test is a test that relies on the participants response to a test agent such as Bitrex.
 
In a Bitrex test, a technician administers a participant not wearing a respirator with a test aerosol to gauge taste sensitivity. The subject dons the respirator to be tested and a fit test hood. The test aerosol (Bitrex) is sprayed inside the hood while the subject performs prescribed exercises. If the subject can taste the test Bitrex, the respirator fails the test and another respirator must be tested until no Bitrex is detected. The fit test procedure requires about 15 to 20 minutes.

 

 

 







Contact us on (07) 38762202 or email fittesting@keyshr.com

  •   KEYS HUMAN RESOURCES
  • 41 Nundah Street, Nundah, Queensland, 4012, Australia | P: (07) 32607111 | E:jobs@keyshr.com