Respirator Fit Testing Services

Examinetics can help your organization implement a respiratory protection program to help your employees healthy and help keep you compliant with regulatory standards.

Call us at 800-493-5377

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Existing Clients: Schedule Testing

Examinetics Respirator Fit Testing Benefits

Stay compliant with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 - Standard on Respiratory Protection.

Nationwide on-site coverage

we can come to all your locations across the contiguous United States
Largest Fleet

Our fleet of more than 140 mobile units that come direct to your work site to perform respirator fit testing onsite
Near-Site Clinic Network

Our network of 6,500 occupational clinics allow fit testing for companies with a small employee population that needs testing.

Flexible Scheduling

Flexible on-site scheduling options based on your work shifts or we schedule directly with your employees for clinic testing.
Regulatory Compliance

We help you stay compliant with OSHA, MSHA, FRA, DOT and other regulatory agencies.
In-House Experts

Expert occupational health specialists and in-house nurses for confidence in our services.
Full Suite

Get fit testing across a broad range of respirators and medical clearance evaluations.

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Mobile Respirator Fit Testing Services

Respiratory protection violations are in the OSHA's Top 10 most frequently cited standards for fiscal year 2024.

Respiratory Protection is the fourth most frequently cited standard, up from seventh on the list only last year.

A most violated section of the standard regards fit testing. Section 1910.134(f)(2) states:
"the employer shall ensure an employee using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator is fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model or make) is used, and at least annually thereafter."

This requirement is known as respirator fit testing, but also referred to as mask fit testing, face fit testing or just fit testing.

An estimated 1 in 10 people will become sick due to respiratory hazards encountered in the workplace annually (American Journal of Respiratory Care and Medicine). Ensure your employee health and regulatory compliance with respirator fit testing services from Examinetics.

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Three Delivery Methods

When it comes to your workforce, safety and productivity are always top of mind. With Examinetics, you get both…while staying compliant with all regulations for respiratory protection. You need a partner who can deliver dependable services to protect your employees and your bottom line. Choose from one of our three delivery methods to create a program that works for your business needs.

Onsite Respirator Fit Testing

Our respirator fit testing services come directly to your work location. We have a fleet of 140 mobile units across the country, so we can service any location in the U.S.

Our friendly and qualified technicians will come directly to your facility for a testing event that minimizes disruption and productivity loss for your business.

Clinic Respirator Fit Testing

For some businesses, sending a small number of employees to a local clinic for mask fit testing may make sense. Examinetics has a network of more the 6,500 occupational health clinic partners across the country. No matter where you are located, we have a nearby clinic to serve your employees.

When you partner with Examinetics, we do all the heavy lifting for you. Once you place an order, our team will coordinate all aspects of the employee clinic visit, including scheduling with your employee and getting the results into the client portal with all your other data.

Respirator Fit Testing On-Demand

Examinetics offers a rental of a quantitative respirator fit testing machine. Perform onsite respirator fit testing on your employees on-demand…on your terms.

A short-term rental gives safety managers the flexibility and convenience they need to stay compliant and productive. We mail a kit, and you test your employees whenever and wherever is best for you. Simply send it back when you are done, while our support team is here for onboarding and whatever care you need.

Whether you are a small business, work at a remote location, or have a large number of off-site visits, it’s now easier than ever to implement in-house respirator fit testing

Testimonials

Offering the best choice in occupational health for innovation, reliability, and convenience.

Kearfott GND

Environmental, Health & Safety Coordinator; Operations Manager

We have more than 20 employees that are fit tested on an annual basis. The fit testing performed is Quantitative Fit Testing. Examinetics has been our vendor of choice for the past several years. They contact me in advance of scheduling the on-site testing vehicle and notify me of any changes or concerns.

The Health Specialist is on-site prior to the start time of testing, sets up his van as soon as he arrives, and stays on schedule during the day. The only thing I do is give him a schedule and ensure that the employees arrive for testing as scheduled. I find that the whole process is very efficient, and have never had any issues. I would recommend Examinetics to anyone who needsrespirator fit testing.

Solvay Composite Materials

Administrative Assistant

I work for a manufacturing company that requires our employees to wear respirators and I have to schedule the yearly fit testing and pulmonary testing for all 32 technicians on 4 different rotating 12-hour shifts. We have an Examinetics mobile unit come onsite for 4 days to get all employees. This year our technician came out on the first day and completed all testing for the first team, when in the past it has taken two days. Because he was organized, prepared, ready to start on time and very efficient at his job, everything ran very smooth and fast. All our employees were impressed and happy. We were also able to cut out one whole day. Even afterwards, the Examinetics technician sent me all the paperwork on everyone that had been tested in a timely manner so that I can send it to my SHE department.

Stella-Jones Corp.

Environmental Health & Safety Supervisor

The technician who provided us with our fit testing was professional, courteous, and extremely efficient. He processed my employees through the fit testing requirements as fast as I could get them to him. He explained everything in such a way that there were no questions and had an excellent “bed-side manner”. My employees are, at times, a surly bunch, but almost everyone of them commented on how nice he was and how he did not waste time.All in all, I have nothing but praise with the service provided by Examinetics.

Carrier Corp.

Operations Supervisor

We use Examinetics for our hearing and respiratory fit tests and everything has been flawless from the moment we inquired about their services. The examiner for our site was very knowledgeable and efficient with a pleasant demeanor, putting everyone at ease. The professionalism of every person I had contact with at Examinetics was unmatched!

Coca Cola

SES Coordinator

Examinetics has always provided us fantastic service for audiometric and respirator fit testing. From start to finish, Examinetics makes scheduling, onsite testing and viewing reports so simple. The customer service is great, as the staff is quick to respond and always ensures our needs for testing are being met. Plus, the onsite technicians are always friendly and knowledgable, which makes working with Examinetics even more enjoyable. It is a pleasure to work with and see Examinetics during our annual testing and I only wish more vendors left that same impression!

Qualitative and Quantitative Respiratory Fit Testing

Examinetics offers comprehensive respirator fit testing services to keep your workforce healthy and compliant with OSHA and MSHA regulations. We deliver both qualitative fit testing and quantitative fit testing onsite. Upon completion of passed tests, each eligible employee is issued a card listing the make, model and size of the proper-fitting respirator.

Learn more about qualitative testing

Learn more about quantitative testing

Fit tests across a broad range of devices

N95 masks
Dust masks
Half-face masks
Full-face masks
Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)

2 Common Mistakes You're Making With OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard

Download Guide

Easy-on-PC tablet-spirometry technology-diagnostics services-no bkgd new

If your services require pulmonary function tests (PFT), we use cutting-edge, NIOSH approved spirometry technology

Easy on-PC diagnostics devices:

Instant interpretation of results and quality insights
Graphs on screen as results appear in real time
Incentive animations to assist the participant during test

FAQs

What is a respirator fit test?

A respirator fit test determines whether or not a respirator fits over an individual’s nose and mouth and makes a tight seal to protect from hazardous airborne particles. There are two types of fit tests. A qualitative fit test determines if the person being tested can smell/taste external agents through the mask. A quantitative fit test uses a machine to assess the adequacy of the seal that is formed around the face by having the person do various exercises and maneuvers to detect potential leakage.

What is Qualitative fit testing?

Qualitative fit testing is a subjective pass/fail method used on half-masks that rely on a user’s sense of taste to detect air leakage from the respirator. The test uses Bitrex (a harmless, bitter-tasting chemical) or Saccharin (a sweet-tasting chemical), which will determine whether the mask passes or fails.

What is Quantitative fit testing?

Quantitative fit testing measures the precise amount of leakage into any tight-fitting facepieces. Instead of relying on your senses, the test is performed by a machine calculating the measurements. According to OSHA regulations, there are three acceptable quantitative fit test methods: general aerosol, ambient aerosol and controlled negative pressure, which are all available with Examinetics.

Do you have to shave for a respirator fit test?

All facial hair that may impede a tight seal for a facepiece must be shaven. Neatly trimmed, closely shaved facial hair, such as small goatees or mustaches, may be acceptable while wearing a respirator. Full beards are not acceptable. According to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134: The employer shall not permit respirators with tight-fitting facepieces to be worn by employees who have:

Facial hair interfering with the sealing surface or the value function
Any condition that interferes with the face-to-facepiece seal or valve function.
This requirement applies to both negative and positive pressure respiratory protective devices that rely on the principle of forming a face to facepiece seal.
Beard growth at points where the seal with the face and respirator occurs is a condition that has been shown by numerous studies to prevent a good face seal.

What type of respirators require fit testing?

A fit test is required for all negative or positive pressure tight-fitting facepiece respirators. This includes both supplied-air respirators and air-purifying respirators, such as filtering facepiece (N95), half mask, full facepiece and powered-air purifying respirators.

Is a fit test required for an N95 respirator?

In accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134, if it is mandatory to wear an N95 respirator for your work, a fit test is required.

How long is a respirator fit test good for?

Per the OSHA Standard, fit testing is required prior to initial use, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, model or make) is used, and at least annually thereafter.

Is fit testing required for voluntary use of respirators?

Even though a respirator may not be required for the job you’re doing, you may want to use a respirator for protection while doing certain tasks. Though fit testing is technically not required in this scenario, it is important to ensure that wearing the respirator will not be detrimental to your health. OSHA still requires certain obligations from your employer.

Should you make adjustments for glasses wearers?

Employees who wear glasses may struggle to wear both their glasses and a respirator. In particular, this affects employees requiring a full-face respirator or SCBA. However, OSHA requires employers to provide employees who wear respirators with an optical corrective lens when necessary.