Respirator Fit Test Beard

Fit testing considerations for conserving time and supplies.

Respirator fit test beard. This letter is in response to your inquiry on beards respirator use and fit testing of respirators. If you have facial hair please note that a fit test. Employers accommodating the beard of an employee with a respirator alternative like a hood will incur additional costs. The worker would have to be fit tested again.

Before a mask is approved for use by an individual testing must demonstrate that it meets the minimum fit factor standard for that person. The respiratory protection standard paragraph 29 cfr 1910 134 g 1 i a states that respirators shall not be worn when facial hair comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interferes with valve function. Some sources believe that facial hair should not be permitted with a full facepiece independent of any fit test results. For more detailed information on fit testing rpe read our publication guidance on respiratory protective equipment rpe fit testing indg479.

A spraying operation within your plant requires employees to use respiratory protection consisting of a tight fitting full face air purifying respirator. Individuals with mustaches and short goatees that do not interfere with the seal of the respirator can be fit tested and wear a respirator. A properly fitted mask is essential to allow the employee to comfortably and safely perform his or her job tasks. Facial hair is allowed as long as it does not protrude under the respirator seal or extend far.

In all instances however facial hair never is. What you need to do. Facial hair can impact the effectiveness of the face seal. You have a beard.

The eight employees who work in this area and therefore must wear a respirator have completed the medical questionnaire have been determined to be fit have had fit tests conducted and. Temporal changes in filtering facepiece respirator fit zhuang z m. The best time to do fit testing is at the initial selection stage when individual users can be given a choice of adequate models of rpe. A mask fit test is designed to ensure that the respirator mask selected for an individual employee fits correctly.

2017 new niosh study supports the osha annual fit testing requirements for filtering facepiece respirators 2016 videos. With the global impact of covid 19 qualitative fit testing is the preferred method of fit testing to help slow the depletion of the inventory of n95 respirators because the respirator used for a qualitative fit test can be worn again after the test. This includes weight fluctuations of 10 pounds or more new dentures facial scars or piercings. As you are aware 29 cfr 1910 134 g 1 i states the following.

As background information it may be helpful to state in general terms osha s requirements about the respirator face seal and beards. To beard or not to beard.