Training Presentation
THE BEST RESPIRATOR IS ONLY AS GOOD AS ITS FIT WHEN USED CORRECTLY –
RESPIRATOR FIT TESTING TO MAXIMIZE RESPIRATOR PROTECTION
INTRODUCTION AND REFRESH: FIT TESTING
WHAT?
WHY?
HOW?
WHY?
HOW?
Who we are?
Presenter:
- Janina Sander
- Application Specialist H&S, EMEA
- janina.sander@tsi.com
Attendees
- Channel Partner
- End-Users
- Interested parties
Most working and living in European, Middle Eastern, African countries without regulations for fit testing
Organizational
Agenda
- What is fit testing?
- Why you need to fit test respirators?
- How to fit test respirators with the PortaCount® instrument?
- Fit test protocols
What is fit testing?
- Verification whether a specific tight-fitting respirator is donned correctly and can create a tight fit on a wearer’s face.
Why you need to fit test respirators?
how does a respirator work?
Why you need to fit test respirators?
LEAKAGE
Leakage mainly through the face seal
But…it‘s only a small leakage
But…the respirator has a CE mark
But… no law, hence no obligation
- Directive 89/656/EEC - Use of personal protective equipment:
- “All personal Protective equipment: [...]
- (c) take account of ergonomic requirments and the worker’s state of health;
- (d) fit the wearer correctly after any necessary adjustment.”
- “The employer shall arrange for training and shall, if appropriate, organize demonstrations in the wearing of personal protective equipment.”
But… no law, hence no obligation
Official recommendations/state of the art
But… no law, hence no obligation
Agenda
- What is fit testing?
- Why you need to fit test respirators?
- How to fit test respirators with the PortaCount® instrument?
- Fit test protocols
Reasons for fit testing
For the employer
Regarding the employees
How to fit test respirators?
Qualitative fit testing
Qualitative fit testing
CNC - Measurement
BASICS
CNC - Measurement
FIT FACTOR
CNC - Measurement
PARTICLES
Measurement – Counting
CONDENSATION NUCLEI COUNTER - CNC
Fit testing – To Do‘s
Fit testing – To Do‘s
1. General preparation
Fit testing – To Do‘s
2. Respirator selection*
- Potential hazards
- Work rate
- Wear time
- Temp/humidity
- Clarity of vision
- Clarity of communication
- Mobility
- Other PPE?
- Medical factors?
- Glasses?
- Facial Hair?
Fit testing – To Do‘s
3. Provide selected respirator with sample probe, fit test adapters and filters
Fit testing – To Do‘s
4. Assess comfort & tight fit
- Acceptable?
- Restrictions?
- Health complaints?
5. Instruction in the Fit Test
- Goal
- Procedure
- Tasks
- Interpretation of result
Fit testing – To Do‘s
6. Connect respirator and PortaCount® instrument
Fit testing – To Do‘s
7. Conduct the fit test
- Start the fit test
- Perform different movements
- According to different protocols
- Mimic the movements of the animated person
- See the result
Agenda
- What is fit testing?
- Why you need to fit test respirators?
- How to fit test respirators with the PortaCount® instrument?
- Fit test protocols
Fit test exercises
Fit test result
Achieved Fit Factor ≥ Required Minimum Fit Factor
- OSHA/ISO: Overall fit factor
- HSE:
Fit factor of each exercise
Result evaluation automatically by PortaCount® Respirator Fit Tester
Agenda
- What is fit testing?
- Why you need to fit test respirators?
- How to fit test respirators with the PortaCount® instrument?
- Fit test protocols
Summary
What
- Method for determining how well a respirator fits the wearer when used correctly
Why
- Legal requirements, safety, comfort, training, sensitization
How
- Quantitative fit testing – PortaCount® Respirator Fit Tester
- Condensation nuclei counter
- Counting particles in ambient air and in the respirator
- Fit test exercises (represent certain movements)
- Concentration ratio = Fit Factor
Further information
Brochures, Application Notes, Spec Sheets, …
Practical Guidance on Handling the PortaCount® instrument
Additional webinars
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Questions
Presenter:
- Janina Sander
- Application Specialist H&S, EMEA
- janina.sander@tsi.com
Tel: +49 241 5230 314
Mobile: +49 151 57531734
Email: janina.sander@tsi.com
TSI GmbH
Neukoellner Str. 4, 52068 Aachen, Germany