What is a Mask Fit Test?
When a student for a school program (i.e., medical, clinical related, industrial), or a worker (medical, dental, construction, manufacturing), for their profession must wear a mask or respirator. This mask must be professionally fitted respirator mask. The face fit mask test determines the right size respirator size for their face.
There are two types of mask fit testing, a Qualitative Fit Test (QFLT) and Quantitative Fit Test (QFNT). A QFLT is a subjective test that uses of a tasting solution. A QNFT involves the use of a computer readout. Both are effective tests when requiring a mask fitting test. A Qualitative Fit Test certification is quite common and cost-effective for many professionals in school programs, long-term care, hospitals, dental offices, construction, and manufacturing.
What Masks Require Mask Fit / Respirator Fit Testing?
N95 Masks, half face respirators, full-face respirators, KN95 masks
Who needs a mask fit test?
There is a growing need for mask respiratory protection in many industries. It’s not just about protecting people from COVID, it’s about keeping people safe for noxious or dangerous airborne particles that could impact their breathing and health!
Our clients include college and university students, who are taking nursing, person support workers (PSW), pharmacy, physiotherapists, medical research, industrial programs, to professions in the medical field, such as nurses, pharmacracies, physiotherapists, maintenance workers, painters, welders, construction, engineers, plant workers, dental professionals, personal support workers (PSW) and more…
If an N95 mask/ ½ face mask or full-face mask is introduced in the workplace or required for a school program, the wearer MUST meet the OHSA regulations CAN/CSA Z94.4-18 standard. They MUST be fit tested.
What are the CAN-CSA Standards?
- Keeps all Canadian workers safe who are exposed to respiratory hazards.
- Provides requirements for the selection, use and the care of respirators. Also provide the administration in the workplace to support effective respiratory protection programs.
- Every 5 years, standards are reviewed and updated.
- Standards are based on the testing requirements developed by NIOSH. For any special criteria specific to firefighting applications, this will be based National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard.
What is a Respirator?
A mask-like device is used as a facial covering that is worn over the nose and mouth to prevent the inhalation of contaminated airborne substances.
What is an N95 mask or N95 respirator?
An N95 respirator or N95 mask is a mask or repository protective device designed to achieve a very close facial fit with very high filtration of airborne particulates. The N95 brand designation means that the wearer must undergo a mask fit test certification process. This respirator blocks at least 95% of these very small airborne particulates. To be more precise, N95 masks filter out 95% of airborne particulate from .3 microns to .5 microns in size.
What is a NIOSH approved mask?
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts research and makes recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH publishes masks and respirators that have passed their stringent requirements.
For a list of the CDC NIOSH-Approved N95 Masks/Respirators CLICK HERE.
