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Exemption:
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This section does apply to any respirators that
are:
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1. Voluntarily used. See WAC
296-842-11005 for voluntary use
requirements.
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2. Mouthpiece respirators and other escape-only
respirators.
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3. Loose-fitting respirators.
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IMPORTANT:
1. Fit testing is an activity where the seal
of a respirator is tested to determine if it's adequate.
2. This section covers general requirements
for fit testing. Specific fit testing procedures are covered in WAC
296-842-22010.
(1) Provide, at no cost to the employee, fit
tests for ALL tight fitting respirators on the following schedule:
(a) Before employees are assigned duties that
may require the use of respirators;
(b) At least every twelve months after
initial testing;
(c) Whenever any
of the following occurs:
(i) A different
respirator facepiece is chosen such as a different type, model, style, or
size;
(ii) 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;
(iii) 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.).
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Note:
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You may accept a fit test completed by a previous
employer IF:
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1. You obtain written documentation of the fit
test;
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2. The results of the fit test are not more than twelve
months old;
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3. The employee will use the same respirator (the same
type, model, style, and size); and
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4. The fit test was conducted in a way that meets the
requirements of WAC
296-842-15005 and
296-842-22010.
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(2) Select and use an appropriate fit-testing
procedure from WAC
296-842-22010 of this
chapter.
(3) Use quantitative
fit-test methods when a negative pressure respirator will be used in
concentrations requiring a protection factor greater than 10. This includes:
(a) Full facepiece air-purifying
respirators;
(b) SCBAs operated in
demand (negative pressure) mode;
(c) Air-line respirators operated in demand
mode.
(4) Make sure
tight-fitting PAPRs, SCBAs, or air-line respirators are fit tested in
negative-pressure mode. This must be done by either:
(a) Temporarily converting the respirator
user's actual facepiece into a negative pressure respirator using the
appropriate filters; or
(b) Using
an identical negative pressure air-purifying respirator facepiece as a
surrogate for the SCBA, air-line or PAPR. The surrogate facepiece must have the
same sealing surfaces as the SCBA, air-line, or PAPR.
Remove any modifications made to the respirator facepiece for
fit testing and return the facepiece to the NIOSH approved configuration before
the facepiece is used in the workplace.
(5) Make sure the person conducting fit
testing is able to do ALL of the following:
(a) Prepare test solutions if
required;
(b) Make sure equipment
works properly;
(c) Perform tests
properly;
(d) Recognize invalid
tests;
(e) Calculate fit factors
properly if required.
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Note:
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1. No specific training program or certification is
required for those who conduct fit tests.
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2. Yo u should consider evaluating these individuals to
determine their proficiency in the fit-testing method to be used. 3. 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 orwww.aiha.org.
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Notes
Wash. Admin. Code §
296-842-15005
Amended by
WSR
17-18-075, Filed 9/5/2017, effective
10/6/2017
Statutory Authority:
RCW
49.17.050 and 29 C.F.R. Subpart Z. 09-19-119,
§ 296-842-15005, filed 9/22/09, effective 12/1/09. Statutory Authority:
RCW
49.17.010,
49.17.040,
49.17.050,
49.17.060. 07-05-072, §
296-842-15005, filed 2/20/07, effective 4/1/07; 03-20-114, § 296-842-15005,
filed 10/1/03, effective 1/1/04.
