Why Personal Support Workers Require Mask Fit Testing

Personal support workers are very important people. These vital members of healthcare teams, all across Canada, follow clearly identified care plans and established policies and procedures of their work agencies. PSWs are adept at providing personal care while assisting with routine activities of daily living and household management. It goes without saying that, for both themselves and their care recipients, a “safety first” approach must always be practiced.

This is why, in addition to other elements of their training, personal support workers must undergo mask fit testing for both their school clinicals and work.

Compliance with health and safety regulations.

Mask fit testing is not just a recommendation. It’s required by Canadian and Ontario legislation. As per Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), employers are required to protect workers from hazardous or “biological or chemical agents.” In Ontario, respirators are required as part of a company’s respiratory protection programs if exposure to hazards cannot be avoided or effectively controlled through hazard control methods like elimination or engineering controls.

According to the OHSA, “an employer who provides a worker with a respirator shall provide training and instruction to the worker in the care and use of the respirator before the worker first uses the respirator.” When PSWs are properly fitted with their N95 masks, they help to maintain a safer working environment for all healthcare staff members and the patients they serve.

Preventing cross-contamination in healthcare settings.

Obviously, preventing health risks in healthcare settings is a top priority. In such environments, pathogens can easily be spread from one patient to another. Of course, staff members are at risk too. When a mask doesn’t fit a PSW properly, it can allow respiratory droplets to either escape or enter his or her mask. As you can imagine, this is particularly dangerous in settings where PSWs work with multiple patients throughout their shifts.

Mask fit testing guarantees that a N95 mask fits securely and effectively. This helps to prevent cross-contamination while also filtering out harmful particles. As you can imagine, this was especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, maintaining the health of both patients and healthcare workers remains a top priority.

Promoting a culture of safety.

When personal support workers undergo mask fit testing, it reinforces the importance of protective measures in the workplace. In school clinicals, this training helps to instil “safety first” values early in a PSW’s career. It prepares them for the rigorous demands of the healthcare profession.

In addition, when personal support workers know that they are wearing properly fitted masks, their confidence and morale are significantly improved. This can lead to more positive and productive work environments.

Contact MaskFit Plus for testing!

We perform Qualitative Fit Testing (QFLT) that is Occupational Health and Safety (OHSA) approved. This certification program meets the requirement for mask fit testing under the Canadian CSA-Z94 standard (use and care of respirators). We offer mask fit certifications with high-grade medical and industrial grade N95 disposable masks and 1/2 face reusable respirators. As well, we perform fit testing on masks and respirators for corporate clients.

For more information, please don’t hesitate to call us at 289-643-6222. You may also fill out the form on our Contact Us page!