Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld), s44(3aii) identifies the requirement for the PCBU to ensure that personal protective equipment is a suitable size and fit for the worker who is to use or wear it. Everyone’s face is a different size and shape so the only way to know the mask works is to test it.

A check of the facial fit of a respirator’s facepiece to ensure it fits properly and the user receives the expected level of protection from the respirator. It includes conducting a Fit-check and thorough Fit-test to achieve a proper fit for the worker.

A respirator face fit-test is a two-step process. Firstly, a sensitivity pre-check will be conducted to see if the candidate can taste the fit-test agent (a harmless sweet or bitter vapour) before the actual fit-test begins. A Fit-test will then be conducted to determine if the respirator fits properly. Below is a brief description of the process:

• The candidate puts on the respirator and performs a user fit-check.
• The candidate wears the clear hood over a respirator.
• The candidate performs a series of breathing exercises while a low concentration of harmless vapour/tasting agent is sprayed into the hood periodically
• This step takes a little over six minutes and during the breathing exercises the candidate is required to breathe with their mouth open and tongue slightly extended
•  If the candidate does not detect the tasting agent the respirator passes the fit-test
• If the candidate does detect the tasting agent the respirator fails the fit-test and the candidate will need to select an alternate respirator and have it fit-tested again

Onsite Testing will conduct the face-fit test with your worker and provide a report detailing the outcome of the test.

• Before a respirator is selected or used for the first time; and
• At least once per year to ensure it continues to fit adequately; and
• Whenever there is a change in the wearer’s facial characteristics or features which may affect the facial seal (including large weight loss or gain).

Yes, you are required to have them fit-tested:

• Before the type of disposable respirator is selected or used for the first time;
• At least once per year to ensure that type of disposable respirator continues to fit adequately;
• Whenever there is a change in the wearer’s facial characteristics or features which may affect the facial seal (including large weight loss or gain).

Fit-testing can be carried out by a competent person. Onsite Testing have trained and competent personnel to carry out qualitative half-face respirator fit testing.

A fit-test is a test by a competent person to check if any air leaks into the respirator through gaps in the seal between the
respirator facepiece and the user’s face.

• A fit-check is a quick check by the user to ensure the respirator, that has already been fit-tested, has been properly positioned on the face and there is a good seal between the respirator and face.
• Fit-checks do not replace the need for a fit-test.

• Your workplace issued respirator requiring fit-testing; and
• Any other required PPE or prescription glasses you normally wear when wearing a respirator in the workplace.

Yes, however long hair must be tied back so that it does not become tangled in the straps of the respirator and hairstyles must not interfere with the proper sealing of the respirator.

Yes, you must be clean shaven, stubble from one day will prevent you from being able to complete the fit-test. Facial hair must not interfere with the proper sealing of the respirator.

Yes, providing the jewellery does not interfere with the proper sealing of the respirator. If the jewellery interferes with the proper sealing of the respirator you will need to remove it.

No, your face must be free from makeup.

As the test relies on taste do not eat, drink or chew gum for at least 15 minutes before the fit-test.

If you have a chronic lung or heart conditions including emphysema, asthma, heart disease, anaemia, or epileptic seizures, you will need to seek advice from your medical practioner before using a respirator.

The severity of an individual’s claustrophobia varies. You will need to be able to calmly tolerate wearing a respirator while having a large clear hood placed over your head multiple times for as long as 6 to 7 minutes. The image below is typical of the hoods used during the fit-test.

No, if you require a fit-test for a full-face respirator or a supplied-air respirator you are required to undertake quantitative fit-testing by a recognised provider.

No, full-face respirators and PAPR (Powered Air Purifying Respirator) must be fit-tested using the quantitative method.