When to Use Fit Testing

Any employee who must wear a respirator with a tight-fitting respiratory inlet covering must undergo a fit test with a respirator of the same make, model, style, and size as the one he or she will be using. This fit test must be administered before the user is required to wear the respirator in a hazardous atmosphere and must be repeated at least once per year.

A new fit test must be conducted if an employee's physical condition changes in a way that could affect the fit of the mask. This could include (but is not limited to) facial scarring, dental changes, cosmetic surgery, or significant changes in body weight.

If, after passing a fit test, an employee notifies the employer that the fit of the mask is in some way unacceptable, that employee must be allowed to select a new facepiece and be retested.

To learn more about Respiratory Protection visit our Cal/OSHA Respiratory Protection Online Training web page.