PDFWAC 296-307-60605

Conduct fit testing.

You must:
• Provide, at no cost to the employee, fit tests for all tight fitting respirators on the following schedule:
– Before employees are assigned duties that may require the use of respirators
– At least every twelve months after initial testing
– Whenever any of the following occurs:
■ A different respirator facepiece is chosen such as a different type, model, style, or size
■ You become aware of a physical change in an employee that could affect respirator fit. For example, you may observe, or be told about, facial scarring, dental changes, cosmetic surgery, or obvious weight changes
■ An employee notifies you, or your LHCP, that the respirator fit is unacceptable. During the retest, you must give an employee reasonable opportunity to select a different respirator facepiece (size, model, etc.).
Note:
You may accept a fit test completed by a previous employer if:
 
• You obtain written documentation of the fit test
 
and
 
• The results of the fit test are not more than twelve months old
 
and
 
• The employee will use the same respirator (the same type, model, style, and size)
 
and
 
• The fit test was conducted in a way that meets the requirements of WAC 296-307-606 and 296-307-62010.
You must:
• Select an appropriate fit-testing procedure from WAC 296-307-62010 of this part and:
– Use quantitative fit-test methods when a negative pressure respirator will be used in concentrations requiring a protection factor greater than 10. This includes:
■ Full facepiece air-purifying respirators
■ SCBAs operated in demand (negative pressure) mode
■ Air-line respirators operated in demand mode.
– Make sure PAPRs, SCBAs, or air-line respirators are fit tested in negative-pressure mode.
• Make sure the person conducting fit testing is able to do all of the following:
– Prepare test solutions if required
– Make sure equipment works properly
– Perform tests properly
– Recognize invalid tests
– Calculate fit factors properly if required.
Note:
• No specific training program or certification is required for those who conduct fit tests.
 
• You should consider evaluating these individuals to determine their proficiency in the fit-testing method to be used.
 
• You can use an evaluation form such as the form included in the American National Standard for Respirator Fit Testing Methods, ANSI/AIHA Z88.10-2001 to determine if the individual meets these requirements. Visit www.ansi.org or www.aiha.org.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. WSR 05-01-166, § 296-307-60605, filed 12/21/04, effective 4/2/05.]