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Dust and harmful gases can cause immediate and long-term respiratory problems. Wearing protective equipment is vitally important when working in a situation where there is the potential for a respiratory hazard. And it is a fundamental part of a safety program.
Ensuring a worker is fit to wear a respirator and monitoring the health of employees exposed to air borne substances is a fundamental part of a occupational health program.
Now health and safety can come together by including respirator fit testing to your medical surveillance protocol.
Respirator Fit Testing
Depending on the specific hazard, failing to wear the proper respirator, or wearing it improperly, can result in health effects ranging from temporary discomfort to long- term lung problems and even death. The effectiveness of a respirator depends on several factors including ensuring the respirator fits the user properly.
Wearing a respirator incorrectly is as dangerous as not wearing one at all. If the respirator does not provide a tight seal around the nose and mouth, the contaminant will leak out through the seal
Allegro Bitrex Fit Test is a light-weight sealed hood-testing apparatus worn over the head. Bitrix is sprayed into the hood environment and if the wearer does not detect a taste, the mask is declared “acceptable”. Any particulate respirator or gas/vapour respirator with a particulate prefilter can be tested. Fit to wear respirator and type of respirator tested will be reported to employer.
Although there are sweet or smoke solutions available, Bitrex is the most highly recommended solution and produces safe and accurate results.
Medical Surveillance Exams
Medical surveillance exams ensure that the worker is fit to wear a respirator and to monitor the health of employees exposed to designated substances. Medical conditions such as asthma, emphysema or chronic heart disease may prevent a worker from being fit to wear a respirator.
A respirator fit test includes a pulmonary function test (PFT), which test the lung capacity (the amount of air you can breath in), a questionnaire to review the environmental conditions and exposures and a physical exam.
Workplace Medical Corp. is on-site at a client company providing medical surveillance exams 3 to 4 days per week. These exams are also performed regularly at our occupational health clinics and through our national network of physicians. Call to ask about adding a Respirator Fit test to your medical protocols.
For more information about Respirator Fit Testing, check out the article in the latest issue of OHS Canada Magazine at http://www.ohscanada.com/BonusStories/AccidentPrevention.asp or consult the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
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