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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.
