Health care, construction, mining, or any other industry-the health and safety assurance for workers exposed to airborne contaminants is paramount. Mask fit testing has become an integral part in respiratory protection by identifying the right mask for a user’s face that can seal out contaminants effectively. This guide to mask fit testing in Australia outlines the importance of mask fit testing, masks used, and how to perform fit testing in order to meet compliance with workplace safety regulations.
The Importance of Mask Fit Testing
Mask fit testing is the process of ensuring that the selected RPE fits appropriately onto the face of the wearer to provide the required protection against airborne hazards, such as dust, fumes, vapors, and infectious particles. Fit testing of masks is of great importance in those workplaces where workers may be exposed to hazardous air contaminants or infectious diseases, since poor fitting of masks can lead to exposure and possible health consequences.
In Australia, mask fit testing ensures not only a benchmark for best practice in protection for the workers, but also forms part of the compliance requirement under Work Health and Safety laws. Testing should be performed periodically, especially when changing the mask type or user’s facial structure or when there is identification of new hazards.
Types of Masks Used in Australia
Australia uses many different types of masks, each designed to protect the worker against a different type of air hazard. Each mask type has a different class of protection associated with it, as well as its own particular fitting tests. A summary of most usable masks and their scope is as follows.
1. N95 and P2 Respirators
N95 and P2 are tight-fitting masks capable of filtering out at least 94-95% of dust, aerosols, and infectious agents in the air. While N95 refers to a US standard, the P2 designation refers to the Australian/New Zealand standard and provides a similar degree of filtration efficiency.
Applications include health care, industrial workplaces, and construction sites where workers are usually exposed to dust, hazardous particles, or biological agents.
Fit Testing Considerations: Because these respirators depend on a proper seal to the user’s face to operate effectively, a fit test should be performed to ensure that the mask will fit the wearer’s face properly and is likely to provide the expected level of protection. Both qualitative and quantitative fit testing methodologies may be performed with N95 and P2 respirators.
2. Half-Face and Full-Face Reusable Respirators
Half-face and full-face reusable respirators offer a greater level of protection than the disposable masks. They possess replaceable filters and cartridges for protection against particular contaminants such as organic vapors, acids, gases, and particulates.
Half-Face Respirators: Masks covering nose and mouth protect a person from inhaling harmful particles, vapors, and gases.
Full-Face Respirators: These masks completely cover the face, offering extra eye protection and extending the barrier to a wider area of the face from possible airborne contaminants.
Application: These masks find their application in highly toxic gas-exposure areas, chemical fumes, and hazardous particulates that may be found while painting, manufacturing, and handling chemicals.
Fit Testing Considerations: Since these respirators are designed for tight facial fit, they undergo a process called fit testing for protection of the user. The process will ensure that the user is appropriately sealed and there is no leakage.
3. Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPR)
PAPRs are those types of respirators that use a battery-powered blower to draw the air through filters before delivering it to the wearer. They come in two major styles: tight-fitting and loose-fitting.
Tight-Fitting PAPR: The mask would have to be fitted tightly around the face. Most of those masks have full-face, half-face, or even hooded options.
Loose-Fitting PAPR: These masks, in the form of hoods or helmets, are those that do not need a tight seal and give respiratory defence by the filtered supply of air.
Applications: These PAPRs are applied where longer use in respiratory protection involves ease and comfort in breathing. These have been typically applied in medical fields, particularly during outbreaks of contagious diseases; asbestos removal; and manufacture of chemicals.
Fit Testing Considerations: All tight-fitting PAPRs must undergo fit testing to ensure proper protection will be provided by the respirator. The loose-fitting varieties do not have any fit testing requirements since their operation does not depend upon a tight seal to the user.
4. Surgical Masks
Surgical masks are loose-fitting masks that cover the nose and mouth, which are designed to provide protection primarily against large respiratory droplets, splashes, and sprays. They create a physical barrier to fluids and do not offer protection against airborne particles or hazardous contaminants.
Applications: This mask finds its applications in various healthcare-related areas for the purpose of preventing infection spreading or protecting the wearer against big particles.
Fit Testing Considerations: Surgical masks are designed neither to fit tightly over the face nor to filter out airborne contaminants, so they cannot be fit tested. They shall not be relied upon when hazards require the use of respirators.
5. Elastomeric Respirators
Elastomeric respirators are reusable and made from more substantial materials, such as silicone or rubber. They may be half-face or full-face types, each with replaceable filter cartridges. Their design is for long-term respiratory protection and purposes that have innumerable applications.
Applications: These would usually be deployed in cases where the worker may possibly be exposed to a variety of chemical, gas, vapor, and particulate hazards; these would include but are not limited to agriculture and manufacturing, among firefighting applications.
Fit Testing Considerations: Elastomeric respirators, because of their tight-fitting nature, require fit testing for proper sealing and effective protection. Further, the proper cartridge should be selected for hazards in the workplace where the respirator will be used.
Mask Fit Testing Process
Fit testing is a process used to ensure the mask fits the correct face of the wearer and seals effectively against the face. There are two major types of fit testing:
1. Qualitative Fit Testing: It is a pass/fail test that relies on the wearer’s subjective ability to detect the taste, odour, or irritation of a test agent, such as sweet or bitter solutions. It usually occurs in the fitting of tight-fitting respirators, such as N95 or P2 masks.
2. Quantitative Fit Testing: This method utilises an instrument to quantify the amount of leakage into the mask and hence gives a numerical fit factor. Quantitative testing is generally more reliable and is utilised for all kinds of tight-fitting respirators, including those that are reusable and elastomeric.
Mask Fit testing should be part a comprehensive Respiratory protection program (RPP)
When to Perform Fit Testing
Fit testing shall be carried out in the following cases:
- Before using a mask for the very first time.
- When changes occur in the facial features of the wearer, which can also depend on variations in weight, dental changes, and injuries to the face area.
- Whenever the model and/or brand of the mask is changed.
- Routinely, with the passage of time, usually at least once a year, the face may undergo changes.
Ensure that fit testing is conducted prior to the use of a tight-fitting respirator by the worker. Provide proper training regarding the right use, maintenance, and storage of masks.
Ensure the use, maintenance, and fit testing of RPE be applied according to the Australian standard, AS/NZS 1715:2009.
The employers, through regular fit testing and proper use of RPE, can assist in safeguarding their workers against respiratory hazards, well comply with the relevant safety regulations, and enhance the healthy and safe culture at workplaces.
Conclusion
Fit testing is a very important component of workplace respiratory protection, enabling workers to be properly fitted with masks that will protect them from airborne hazards. Knowing the types of masks available in Australia, for what purposes each type is suitable, and the needs for fit testing is key to safety and compliance for many industries.
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