O-4-160 N95 Fit Testing

👤 RESPONSIBLE POSITION  |  ROLE

Clinical Supervisor or Designee

🎯 PURPOSE

Define the process to conduct and document the fit testing procedure for fitting an N95 respirator to staff that are required to wear an N95 respirator during their work.

🔄 PROCESS

The Clinical Supervisor/The Clinical Supervisor/designee will fit test an employee per the manufacture instructions of the fit testing kit prior to the employee wearing an N95 respirator if required during their work day. The fit testing procedure must be conducted:

• Prior to being required to wear any respirator.
• If the Company changes respirator product.
• If employee changes weight by 10% or more when using respirator.
• If employee has changes in facial structure or scarring when using respirator.
• Annually if continued use is required.  
• As Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards require.

Manufacturer's Instructions in Performing the Fit Testing Procedure for the 3M FT-30 Qualitative Fit Testing Apparatus

Preparation

1. Attach hood to collar by placing drawstring between flanges on collar. Tighten drawstring and tie with square knot or bow.
2. Pour a small amount (approximately one teaspoonful) of the Sensitivity Test Solution (#1) into the nebulizer labeled “#1 Sensitivity Test Solution.”
3. Pour the same amount of Fit Test Solution (#2) into the second nebulizer labeled “#2 Fit Test Solution.”
4. Immediately recap the bottles.

Sensitivity Test

This test is done to assure that the person being fit tested can detect the bitter taste of the test solution at very low levels. The Sensitivity Test Solution is a very dilute version of the Fit Test Solution.

1. Have the test subject put on the hood and collar assembly without a respirator.
2. Position the hood assembly forward so that there is about six inches between the subject’s face and the hood window.
3. Instruct the test subject to breathe through his/her mouth with tongue extended.
4. Using Nebulizer #1 with the Sensitivity Test Solution (#1), inject the aerosol into the hood through the hole in the hood window. Inject ten squeezes of the bulb, fully collapsing and allowing the bulb to expand fully on each squeeze. Both plugs on the nebulizer must be removed from the openings during use. The nebulizer must be held in an upright position to ensure aerosol generation.
5. Ask the test subject if he/she can detect the bitter taste of the solution. If tasted, note the number of squeezes as 10 and proceed to the Fit Test.
6. If not tasted, inject an additional ten squeezes of the aerosol into the hood. Repeat with ten more squeezes if necessary. Note whether 20 or 30 squeezes produced a taste response.
7. If 30 squeezes are inadequate, in that the subject does not detect a bitter taste, the test is ended. Another type of fit test must be used.
8. Remove the test hood, and give the subject a few minutes to clear the taste from his/her mouth. It may be helpful to have the subject rinse his/her mouth with water.

Fit Test

1. Have the test subject don the respirator and perform a user seal check per the instructions provided on the respirator package.
2. Have subject wear any applicable safety equipment that may be worn during actual respirator use that could interfere with respirator fit.
3. Have the subject put on and position the test hood as before, and breathe through his/her mouth with tongue extended.
4. Using Nebulizer #2 with Fit Test Solution (#2), inject the fit test aerosol using the same number of squeezes as required in the Sensitivity Test (10, 20, or 30). A minimum of ten squeezes is required, fully collapsing and allowing the bulb to expand fully on each squeeze. The nebulizer must be held in an upright position to ensure aerosol generation.
5. To maintain an adequate concentration of aerosol during this test, inject one-half the number of squeezes (5, 10, or 15) every 30 seconds for the duration of the fit test procedure.
6. After the initial injection of aerosol, ask the test subject to perform the following test exercises for 60 seconds each:
   1. Normal breathing – In a normal standing position, without talking, the subject shall breathe normally.
   2. Deep breathing – In a normal standing position, the subject shall breathe slowly and deeply, taking caution so as not to hyperventilate.
   3. Turning head side to side – Standing in place, the subject shall slowly turn his/her head from side to side between the extreme positions on each side. The head shall be held at each extreme momentarily so the subject can inhale at each side.
   4. Moving head up and down – Standing in place, the subject shall slowly move his/her head up and down. The subject shall be instructed to inhale in the up position (i.e., when looking toward the ceiling).
   5. Talking – The subject shall talk out loud slowly and loud enough so as to be heard clearly by the test conductor. The subject can read from a prepared text such as the Rainbow Passage (see below), count backward from 100, or recite a memorized poem or song.

      • Prepared Text: Rainbow Passage

        When the sunlight strikes raindrops in the air, they act like a prism and form a rainbow. The rainbow is a division of white light into many beautiful colors. These take the shape of a long round arch, with its path high above, and its two ends apparently beyond the horizon. There is, according to legend, a boiling pot of gold at one end. People look, but no one ever finds it. When a man looks for something beyond reach, his friends say he is looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

   6. Bending over – The test subject shall bend at the waist as if he/she were to touch his/her toes. Jogging in place may be substituted for this exercise.
   7. Normal breathing – Same as exercise a.
7. The test is terminated at any time the bitter taste of aerosol is detected by the subject because this indicates an inadequate fit. Wait 15 minutes and perform the sensitivity test again.
8. Repeat the fit test after redonning and readjusting the respirator. A second failure may indicate that a different size or model respirator is needed.
9. If the entire test is completed without the subject detecting the bitter taste of the aerosol, the test is successful and respirator fit has been demonstrated.
10. Periodically check the nebulizer to make sure that it is not clogged. If clogging is found, clean the nebulizer and retest.

Cleaning

1. At the end of each session or at least every four hours, discard the unused solutions from the nebulizers.
2. Educate on N95 donning/doffing user seal check required prior to each use of the N95 respirator.

Complete Documentation of Results of Fit Testing with Name and Model of Respirator

1. After a Qualitative Fit Test with the employee is performed, document this information within the Worker Console.
   1. Select Worker Console > HR Log > Respirator Fit Test
   2. Completion Date: Date of the Fit Test
   3. Comments: Free type the following information:
      • Manufacturer/make/model of the N95 respirator 
      • Person performing the fit test procedure

      • If indicated, failed N95 models

        

2. For annual or if other fit testing is required, check the date of the last Respirator Fit Test.
   1. Select Worker Console > Renewable Requirements

   2. The Due Date is the date an annual fit test is due.

      

3. Check the model of the N95 respirator to ensure the model is available.
   1. Select Worker Console > HR Log > Respirator Fit Test

   2. The Comments will indicate the make/model of the N95 respirator.

      

4. Document as per number 1 above.

📅 Effective: 01.17.2024  | 🛠️ Revised: 11.02.2026 |  ✅ Approved: JM