Special Note:
Overview of Respiratory Protection:
Fit Testing Workshop - days:
January 6, 2015
January 7-8, 2015.
Respiratory Protection Newsletter from Dr. McKay
November 2014
© 2014 All rights reserved, Roy McKay, Ph.D.
What is the frequency of fit testing?
OSHA addresses the frequency of respirator fit
testing in paragraph (f), sections 2, 3, & 4 of the
Respirator Standard 1910.134. In section (2) of the
OSHA standard, it states the following requirements
when tight fitting respirators are required to be worn:
“You really can’t say you have a good fit testing
program, if you haven’t evaluated it. This may be
especially true when very high fit factors are
common practice or when respirator wearer’s
frequently change sizes and/or models.”
Roy McKay, Ph.D. April 24, 2014. Presented at
Fit Testing Refresher & Advanced Topics.
(2) The employer shall ensure that 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.
Additional information is provided in sections (3) &
(4), where it states:
(3) The employer shall conduct an additional fit test
whenever the employee reports, or the employer,
PLHCP, supervisor, or program administrator makes
visual observations of, changes in the employee's
physical condition that could affect respirator fit.
Such conditions include, but are not limited to, facial
scarring, dental changes, cosmetic surgery, or an
obvious change in body weight.
(4) If after passing a QLFT or QNFT, the employee
subsequently notifies the employer, program
administrator, supervisor, or PLHCP that the fit of the
respirator is unacceptable, the employee shall be
given a reasonable opportunity to select a different
respirator facepiece and to be retested.
In essence, OSHA’s requirement is very
straightforward. OSHA requires fit testing prior to
using a tight fitting facepiece in areas that require
protection from respiratory hazards. It is then
repeated at least annually when respiratory
protection is still required. In addition, a fit test
should be conducted if a different (make, model,
style, or size) facepiece is to be used. This just makes
common sense. Sections 3 & 4 essentially state that
the fit test should be repeated when the previously
fitted facepiece no longer appears to fit.
“The question is? Do you want a higher fit factor
or do you want better respirator fit? They are not
necessarily the same.”
Roy McKay, Ph.D. February 28, 2014.
Presented at the ERC Respiratory Protection in
Health Care Environments.
© 2014, All rights reserved, Roy McKay, Ph.D.
Taking a training break in Dubai,
United Arab Emirates, November 6, 2014.
Reader Question:
Do fit testing exercises affect some respirator models
differently than others?
Yes. Some respirators models are affected by head
movement exercises more than others. For example,
some respirators have strap and/or buckle designs that
tend to loosen during the bending exercise, but
affected to a lesser degree with other exercises. For
these models, respirator leakage may not be detected
if the fit testing protocol excludes the bending
exercise, utilizes an exercise duration that is too short,
or when the fit test operator doesn’t conscientiously
watch the subject to ensure the exercise is properly
conducted. When respirators having these
characteristics are selected for use in the workplace,
the fit test operator should make sure all exercises are
properly performed and/or may need to supplement
the exercise protocol with exercises known to
Pg 1 of 8
challenge facepiece design. In other cases,
respirators equipped with heavy canisters,
communication devices, and/or other accessories,
may cause straps to loosen. The time necessary to
induce this leakage can vary considerably from one
model to another and may be influenced by strap
tension, strap design, buckle design and/or other
design features. Experienced fit testers should be
familiar with these issues and communicate this
information to the respirator trainer, who will in turn
incorporate this information into worker training
programs. In summary, two respirator models having
identical sealing surfaces, may respond to fit testing
exercises differently depending upon strap and/or
buckle design, material, wear & tear, and other
factors.
SCBA Buddy Breathing Acceptance
NIOSH is revising its policy on the use of Emergency
Breathing Support Systems (EBSS), also known as
“Buddy Breathers”. This
policy change will be
applicable only to SCBAs
meeting the requirements
of NFPA 1981, 2013, or
subsequent editions.
NIOSH will recognize
NFPA 1981, 2013compliant EBSS systems
as a part of the NIOSH
SCBA approval for users
who have received the
appropriate level of
training.
In a letter dated February 28, 2014 from Jonathan
Szalajda (Acting Chief, Technical Evaluations
Branch, NPPTL), this policy change was based upon
a review of submissions made to the NIOSH Docket
147, as well as the applicable OSHA standards.
NIOSH is therefore modifying the existing “Buddy
Breather” policy to further support and encourage
best practices in the fire service for the deployment of
EBSS. Accessories available on some manufacturers’
products enable users to have the option to provide
buddy breathing; however, effective training
programs are not in place across the nation. NIOSH
will require the manufacturer User Instructions to
provide training information. The approval label must
include these additional cautions and limitations. For
example, EBSS Activation or engagement of EBSS in
either the donor or receiver mode changes the SCBA
use to Escape-Only, approved service time for either
the donor, or the receiver is no longer applicable.
Additional critical cautions and limitations apply.
© 2014, All rights reserved, Roy McKay, Ph.D.
For additional information visit the NIOSH web page
at www.cdc.gov/niosh.
Fit Testing Refresher & Advanced Topics
This course is specifically designed for the person who has
been conducting fit tests, but has not had formal training or
needs a review. This course reviews OSHA fit testing
requirements and also helps the operator understand why
poorly fitting respirators pass fit testing and why good
fitting respirators fail.
Apr 29, 2015
Oct 27, 2015
Explaining Alphabet Soup for Closed Circuit
Escape Respirators
On July 24, 2014 NIOSH
issued the first approval for
a respirator that complies
with their new requirements
for Closed Circuit Escape
Respirators (CCERs). Some
of the new requirements
include features to warn the
users of changes to device
performance or capability to
withstand more rugged
environments. In addition, the new certification
process now utilizes a breathing simulator which is
expected to provide a more reliable approach to
evaluate the performance of these devices. Testing
and certification requirements for these respirators
were established by NIOSH in a new standard for
CCERs published in 2012.
Closed-Circuit Escape Respirators utilize compact
technology to provide self-contained, breathable air
to workers in emergencies, such as escape from a
shipboard fire below deck or a smoke-filled mine
from a mine fire. They are also used by workers
involved in tunneling operations, certain construction
operations, and for crew members on freight trains
carrying hazardous materials. Their compact size
allows them to be easily carried on a worker’s belt or
stored in close proximity to be accessible in an
emergency. The closed-circuit technology recirculates
and replenishes the user’s breathing air making the
most efficient use of the oxygen it contains. Oxygen
is replenished from either a chemical reaction or from
a compressed-oxygen supply and exhaled carbon
dioxide is chemically removed.
However, users may not readily understand or
Pg 2 of 8
become confused with all of the abbreviations used to
describe these respirators. Terminology often tends
to differ depending upon where the respirator is used.
With this in mind, let’s explore commonly used
abbreviations for these respirators:
CCER = Closed-Circuit Escape Respirator
EEBD = Emergency Escape Breathing Device
EEBA = Emergency Escape Breathing Apparatus
SCSR = Self-Contained Self Rescuer
CCER is the current abbreviation used by NIOSH for
this class of respirators.
EEBD & EEBA are abbreviations commonly used by
the U.S. Navy and commercial shipping industries.
SCSR is commonly used in the mining community.
As a point of information, a NIOSH certified CCER
is not necessarily permitted for mining applications.
For example, the first NIOSH certified CCER as a
“Cap I, 20 liter” is not certified for mining
applications.
NIOSH Respirator User Notice Feb 27, 2014
Readers of this newsletter commonly know that
OSHA requires the use of respirators approved by
NIOSH for occupational inhalation exposures when
engineering or administrative controls are not
adequate to reduce the
hazards to an acceptable
level. Furthermore, the
use of a non NIOSHapproved respirator places the employer at risk of
citation and fines by OSHA. The following
paragraphs may therefore be of interest and were
taken from a NIOSH User Notice with slight
modification.
NIOSH issues certificates of approval for specific and
complete respirator assemblies. The approval is
granted after the respirator has been evaluated and
found to be in compliance with applicable regulations
in Title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 84. In
the February 27, 2014 User Notice, NIOSH reports
that they are once again becoming aware of a
dangerous practice where respirator users are
swapping the hoses provided with supplied-air
respirators with those from another source. The
concern NIOSH has when using non-original
equipment are that size differences can result in too
little or too much breathing air being delivered to the
facepiece. In addition, because non-approved hoses
have not been subjected to the rigors of the NIOSHapproved quality assurance program they may have
© 2014, All rights reserved, Roy McKay, Ph.D.
other performance features that are not compatible to
the proper performance of the respirator.
Remember, respirators and their various component
parts, are approved as a single unit. Replacing
NIOSH-approved respirator parts, components, and
accessories with non NIOSH-approved parts
manufactured by another company voids the NIOSH
approval. This is because the level of performance
achieved may no longer be sufficient. Therefore, the
modified configuration puts the user at risk. Using a
modified configuration may also void the
manufacturer’s product warranty. For additional
information, visit the NIOSH web site at
www.cdc.gov/niosh
Thoughts Regarding the Institute of Medicine’s
Workshop on PAPR’s
On August 7 & 8, 2014, the Institute of Medicine
(IOM) held a workshop on respiratory protection for
use in health care settings. The name of the
workshop was: "The Use and Effectiveness of
Powered Air-Purifying Respirators in Health Care".
The workshop was open to the public and could be
attended remotely (as I did). Some of the speakers
were excellent. However, comments from other
speakers raised concerns regarding their
understanding of respiratory protection and PAPRs in
particular. For example, several speakers make
comments such as PAPRs require very little training.
Other comments were that PAPRs require less
training than N95 FFRs, etc. It some cases, it
appeared that the emphasis for some hospital
programs was how easy PAPR training could be.
These comments raise concerns regarding the content
of PAPR training programs in health care. Perhaps
the bigger concern is not the content included, but the
content excluded. An effective PAPR training
program requires hands-on training. Hands-on
training requires donning, doffing, inspection, and
verification that the respirator wearer can properly
conduct flow check procedures. Other components of
a PAPR training program should include;
assembly/installation of components, battery
maintenance, and recognition of worn, damaged
and/or missing components, safety issues, etc. This is
particularly important when PAPR users share
equipment with others. Industrial experience with
PAPR users has shown us that PAPRs are not
necessarily simple devices. While PAPRs have many
advantages, proper use of a PAPR requires
comprehensive training that goes well beyond
checking airflow, how to turn on the blower, and
being shown how to put it on. Of concern is whether
Pg 3 of 8
or not PAPR trainers in health care facilities have
adequate experience with PAPRs to train others.
PAPRs are air purifying devices. In this respect,
training includes many (if not most) of the same
content of negative pressure air purifying respirators.
Consequently, PAPR training includes components of
negative pressure air purifying respirators as well as
training on the powered air component itself. During
the conference, One participant questioned the panel
as to whether or not anyone has actually measured the
effectiveness of their PAPR training methods, at
which time there was a period of dead silence.
One comment expressed by several participants was
the recognition that many programs haven’t figured
out how to clean and disinfect PAPRs after use.
Some manufacturer instructions for cleaning and
disinfection are vague. One speaker specifically
mentioned that it would be helpful if user instructions
included specific recommendations regarding
cleaning agents that can be used.
Another speaker mad ethe comment that PAPRs are
not likely to replace N95 FFRs for all circumstances.
The conference included discussion and comment on
fit testing procedures used at some health care
facilities to fit test N95 FFRs. Many were said to be
deficient. I wonder if these deficient procedures
would be used to fit test family members prior to
entry into a potentially hazardous environment.
It was obvious that some programs have serious
problems with their fit testing programs. Some
participants were unclear regarding the need for
annual fit testing for tight fitting respirators. Others
incorrectly believe that the primary reason for annual
fit testing was to determine if there was a change in
the shape of the face.
During lunch and other breaks, the room microphones
were left on. Consequently, some participants didn’t
realize that their “private” conversations could be
heard by others who dialed in remotely. During these
times the true philosophy of respiratory protection
became apparent.
Spirometry Refresher:
December 18, 2014 in Tampa, FL
Apr 28, 2015 in Cincinnati
Sept 22, 2015 in Cincinnati
Interpretation of Spirometry: Beyond the Numbers
September 23, 2015 in Cincinnati
© 2014, All rights reserved, Roy McKay, Ph.D.
Transmission of Infection on Commercial Airlines
While returning from a training program in Dubai, I
was thinking of safety concerns some people
expressed for passengers
and crew during commercial
flights. With respect to
Ebola, the majority of
expert opinion suggests that
direct patient contact is
necessary for transmission.
Airborne exposure is
considered by most, as
unlikely. Flight times from
Dubai (which is not in West
Africa) to the USA are at
least 13 hours in duration. Halfway through my
return flight, a lady just two seats away developed a
productive cough with nasal and chest congestion.
Initially, she was fine immediately after boarding the
plane. Halfway through the flight she developed
symptoms consistent with a respiratory infection. At
one point I needed to use the restroom. When I
attempted to wash my hands, the water barely trickled
out of the faucet. In addition, it was difficult to
depress the faucet handles located at the top of the
sink, while simultaneously trying to position my
hands under the faucet. Hand hygiene is not my area
of expertise, but my hand-washing technique isn’t as
good on commercial flights as it is at home or work.
Trying to clean your hands is even worse, when the
flow of water is just a trickle. All of this made me
wonder. Has anyone ever evaluated the effectiveness
of hand washing with airline sinks?
Trends in Respiratory Protection for Healthcare
Workers
Do you remember a time when it was difficult, if not
next to impossible to implement the use of N95
filtering facepiece respirators in healthcare? Now the
trend appears to be toward the use of elastomeric half
mask and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs).
Comments from healthcare stakeholders in response
to a recent NIOSH request for information regarding
respirators used in healthcare indicate that this is a
recent trend that is likely to continue. It was noted
that PAPRs are becoming lighter in weight, easier to
operate, and less expensive, which contributes to this
trend. In other hospitals, elastomeric half mask
respirators are being introduced as another alternative
to N95 FFRs.
Pg 4 of 8
Test Your Fit Testing Knowledge:
Test your skill against these questions.
Answer appears in “Training Opportunities”
at the end of this newsletter.
of respirator worn, work environment, duration of
use, level of physical exertion, underlying medical
conditions that contributed to the complication, etc.,
is needed. You can send this information to
[email protected]
Question:
With regard to conducting qualitative fit
testing with sweetener and/or bitter
solutions, proper procedure during
sensitivity screening is to direct the aerosol
output from the nebulizer toward the nose
and mouth?
9 True
9 False
Question:
With respect to donning a two-strap filtering
facepiece respirator for persons with long
hair that falls behind the head (i.e., such as a
“pony tail”), the lower strap should be worn
around the neck, below the ears and should
be _________ the hair.
a) under (i.e., touching the skin)
b) over (i.e., not touching the skin)
Onsite Training Programs During 2014
An abbreviated list of locations visited by Dr. McKay
for on-site training programs during calendar year
2014 are:
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tampa, Florida
Dayton, OH
Louisville, KY
Washington, DC
Next stop: Budapest, Hungary
Medical Complications from Respirator Use
OSHA requires respirator medical clearance for
persons required to wear respiratory protection.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are
collecting information on persons who: 1) developed
a medical complication while wearing a respirator,
and 2) identify medical conditions causally related to
the complication that developed.
If you have information (published or un-published)
that established a link between a specific medical
condition(s) and a complication that developed as a
result from wearing a respirator, please share this
information with us. We are particularly interested in
cases where a medical complication was induced by
respirator use. Information such as the specific type
© 2014, All rights reserved, Roy McKay, Ph.D.
Wanted: Damaged Fit Test Adapters
Rather than throwing away damaged fit test adapters,
consider donating them to our fit testing workshops.
We strive to make our fit testing workshops as
realistic as possible. In some cases, incorporating
damaged fit testing adapters provide a valuable
training experience. If you wish to make a donation,
please email us at [email protected]
2014 McKay Publications
Xinjian He, Tiina Reponen, Roy McKay & Sergey
Grinshpun.
How does breathing frequency affect the
performance of an N95 filtering facepiece
respirator and a surgical mask against
surrogates of viral particles? Journal of
Occupational & Environmental Hygiene 11:
178-185, 2014.
He X, Grinshpun SA, Reponen T, McKay R,
Bergman M, and Zhuang Z.
Effect of Breathing Frequency and Flow
Rate on the Total Inward Leakage of an
Elastomeric Half-Mask Donned on an
Advanced Manikin Headform. Annals of
Occupational Hygiene 58:182-194, 2014.
Share Your Respirator Experience
Here’s an opportunity to contribute your knowledge
and experience to others. If you have an interesting
respirator selection or other challenging respirator
problem (and solution), please submit it to
[email protected]. I may use your real-life
problem to help train students in our graduate and
continuing education programs in respiratory
Pg 5 of 8
protection. This transfer of information will benefit
others, maybe even your children or grandchildren.
Respirator Training Courses:
The University of Cincinnati is pleased to
announce the following programs on Respiratory
Protection and Fit Testing that may be of interest
to your staff. They are:
Fit Testing Refresher & Advanced Topics
http://www.drmckay.com/rtc-resp-refresher-advanced
.shtml
Apr 29, 2015
Oct 27, 2015
Overview of Respiratory Protection:
http://www.drmckay.com/rtc-overview.shtml
Jan 6, 2015
April 21, 2015
Oct 20, 2015
Fit Testing Workshop (2-day):
http://www.drmckay.com/rtc-workshop.shtml
Jan 7-8, 2015
Apr 22-23, 2015
Oct 21-22, 2015
Fit Testing Workshop Quantitative (1-day):
http://www.drmckay.com/rtc-workshop1day.shtml
Dates to Be Determined
Respirator Selection & Cartridge Change Out
Schedule Workshop.
http://www.drmckay.com/rtc-resp_selection.shtml
May 13 & 14, 2015
All courses are held in Cincinnati, unless noted
otherwise. On-site training is available.
Respirator Selection & Change Out Schedules
This workshop provides guidance on respirator
selection and the development of OSHA compliant
change out schedules for respirator cartridges. A
combination of lecture with practice problem sessions
is used. The course is designed to teach students how
to select a respirator based on workplace conditions
(exposure level, type of contaminant, length of time
to be worn, etc.). The selection process goes beyond
the typical recommendation to "use a NIOSH
approved air purifying respirator". Students will
learn how to select a specific respirator as well as a
specific filter/cartridge (when appropriate). More
than a dozen guidelines for development of an OSHA
compliant cartridge change out policy will also be
taught, including common computer models and how
to use them.
© 2014, All rights reserved, Roy McKay, Ph.D.
Partial Listing of Topics
Respirator Selection
* Review of facepiece definitions and modes of
operation.
* Practical and theoretical basis for respirator
selection based upon:
Assigned Protection Factors (APF)
- MUC’s, HR’s, IDLH, etc.
* OSHA guidelines for respirator selection.
- IDLH and non-IDLH atmospheres.
* Selection steps and information gathering
procedures.
* Minimum respiratory protection versus practical
alternatives.
* Filter selection issues
- How to select an N, R, or P filter.
- Why filter selection is influenced by exposures
below the exposure limit.
- How to choose a 95 versus 100 filter.
* Practical methods for handling unknown
concentrations without defaulting to an SCBA.
* Calculating MUC’s for mixtures.
* Saturated Vapor Concentrations (SVC’s) and
selection concerns.
* When a particulate filter may be needed for
organic solvents.
* Equilibrium Vapor Concentrations.
* Selection Workshop
- Practical problems and solutions.
Development of Cartridge Change Out Schedules
* OSHA recommendations for a change out policy.
* Factors that affect cartridge service life.
* Learn how to develop an OSHA compliant
change out schedule.
* Understanding the breakthrough curve.
* Common methods used to define breakthrough.
* What level of breakthrough should be used?
* Work rate tables.
* Effect of high relative humidity.
* Methods for determining service life (use,
limitations, and practice problems)
- OSHA recommendations
- Rules of thumb
- Using laboratory data
- Using math models
- Using computer (software) models
- Cartridge testing methods (3 methods)
Combining methods
* Learn how to develop a change schedule when
computer models are not available.
* Recommendations for mixtures:
- OSHA compliance method
- mole fraction method
- multi vapor model
Pg 6 of 8
*
*
*
How to confirm your change-out schedule.
Storage and migration concerns.
Immediate Breakthrough Upon Reuse (IBUR)
concepts
Gain confidence that your current procedure is
correct!
Former students have found this information to be
extremely valuable. Even experienced students find
the material useful as a way to verify their current
procedures.
Next dates are: May13-14, 2015 in Cincinnati
Answers to Test Your Fit Testing Knowledge:
Question:
With regard to conducting qualitative fit testing with
sweetener and/or bitter solutions, proper procedure
during sensitivity screening is to direct the aerosol
output from the nebulizer toward the nose and
mouth?
Answer:
False. This would be a violation of the respirator
standard since it represents a modification of the
OSHA fit testing protocol. Perhaps more
importantly, modifying the procedure in this manner
could fail to identify a poorly fitting respirator.
Question:
With respect to donning a two-strap filtering
facepiece respirator for persons with long hair that
falls behind the head (i.e., such as a “pony tail”), the
lower strap should be worn around the neck, below
the ears and should be _________ the hair.
a) under (i.e., touching the skin)
b) over (i.e., not touching the skin)
Answer:
a) under (i.e., touching the skin)
Having the strap over the hair is inconsistent with the
majority of manufacturer instructions and creates an
opportunity for the hair to tug on the straps,
potentially moving the facepiece.
Overview of Respiratory Protection:
This one day course provides a practical overview of
respirators, standards, guidelines, use, and limitations
of commonly used air purifying respirators. This
class also provides an excellent overview of the
OSHA Respirator Standard. Little or no prior formal
training is required. The morning session includes
lectures on the types and use of respirators and basic
respirator selection procedures using APFs and
MUCs. The advantages and disadvantages of
© 2014, All rights reserved, Roy McKay, Ph.D.
different respirator facepieces, filters (N, R, & P),
cartridges, PAPR's, and the physiologic effects of
wearing a respirator will also be discussed.
Respirator standards and program requirements will
be reviewed to help the student comply with OSHA
regulations. Discussion of qualitative and
quantitative fit testing, user seal checks, worker
training, and respirator medical clearance
requirements will be provided. This course is
essential for individuals who oversee respirator users
in their work place or new to respiratory protection.
Fit Testing Workshop:
This two (2) day workshop provides comprehensive
lecture and "hands-on" training for students who need
to learn how to conduct an OSHA accepted
qualitative or quantitative respirator fit test. Students
will have an opportunity to fit test a variety of
different style facepieces, including filtering
facepieces, half, & full. A combination of lecture and
"hands-on" testing in the presence of a trained and
experienced instructor will be used to help
participants learn how to conduct respirator fit testing
to satisfy regulatory requirements. Hands-on fit
testing will include qualitative and quantitative
methods. The following types of fit testing
equipment will be available: Saccharin (sweetener)
and Bitrex (bitter) qualitative fit test kits using
squeeze-bulb nebulizers as well as powered pumps
using Qfit. Quantitative fit testing with the TSI
PortaCount (models 8020, N95 Companion, 8030 &
8038), and the OHD Fit Tester 3000/QuantiFit.
Class size will be limited to ensure a favorable faculty
to student ratio. Students will learn how to set-up,
operate, maintain, troubleshoot, analyze, and interpret
fit test results. Where appropriate, students will learn
how to calibrate testing equipment and record results.
All course materials, supplies, equipment, and
reference manuals will be provided.
Students will also learn how to disassemble, clean,
reassemble, and inspect respirators for common
problems. The workbook alone is a valuable
reference for solving fit testing problems in the
future.
This course uses a combination of lecture and small
practicum groups to ensure students have ample time
to practice and learn fit testing techniques. The
second day provides students sufficient time to
concentrate on the particular methods of interest to
them. The "Hands-On" approach is emphasized in
this course. Students will fit test several different
make and model respirators, not just one.
Pg 7 of 8
Individuals who plan to attend the fit testing
workshop, but have little or no experience with
respiratory protection should take the one day
overview class in addition to the 2-day fit testing
workshop. The fit testing workshop provides an
opportunity to see and experience many different
types of commonly used fit testing methods
(qualitative and quantitative). A substantial discount
is given when both courses are taken.
Dr. McKay is the current chair of the ANSI Z88.10
Respirator Fit Testing sub-committee, a voting
member of the full ANSI Z88 Respiratory Protection
Committee, the AIHA Respiratory Protection
Committee, and others.
Fit Testing Refresher & Advanced Topics:
This 1-day course is specifically designed for the
person who has been conducting fit tests, but has not
had formal training or needs a review. This course
reviews OSHA fit testing requirements and helps the
operator understand why poorly fitting respirators
pass fit testing and why good fitting respirators fail.
It is an excellent refresher for persons familiar with fit
testing, but has limited formal training or needs a
refresher. It also provides an opportunity to discuss
advanced topics not covered during a typical 2-day fit
testing workshop due to time limitations. This course
is also valuable for respirator program administrators
who need a better understanding of fit testing
procedures and assurance that their fit testing
program is being run properly. The emphasis of this
course is on quantitative fit testing with the TSI
PortaCount, although many of the concepts are
applicable to other fit test methods.
Partial Listing of Topics
Review of fit test procedures
Facial hair: issues & solutions
Selection process
Comfort assessment
Interference with PPE
Establishing pass/fail criteria
Interpretation of fit test results
Why user seal checks fail to detect leakage
Why user seal checks create leaks not present
Proper use of fit test adapters
Selecting sample probe location
Why leaking respirators pass fit testing
Why good fitting respirators fail fit testing
What does a high fit factor really mean
Wear time & non wear time issues
Understanding fit factor vs protection
When is quantitative fit testing required?
Opportunity to get answers to your questions
© 2014, All rights reserved, Roy McKay, Ph.D.
This course can also be given on-site.
Respirator Training at Your Location:
A variety of respirator training programs are available
on-site. Courses available include:
* Fit Testing Refresher & Advanced Topics
* How to Develop a Cartridge Change Out Schedule
(1 day)
* Respirator Selection (1 to 1.5 days)
* Fit Testing for Health Care Professionals (1 day)
* Basics of a Respiratory Protection Program (2
days)
* Overview of Respiratory Protection (1 day)
* Respirator Fit Testing: Quantitative (1 or 2 days)
* Respirator Fit Testing: Qualitative (1day)
* Fit Testing at your workplace. Not a course, but
a hands-on program with your staff and
equipment.
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If you wish to be removed from this list, please click
"reply" and put "Remove" in the subject heading. If
your email address has recently changed or have more
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body of the email.
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Thank you for your continuing support. Students
attending our programs help support our graduate
training programs and respirator research projects.
We hope to see you at a future training course.
Roy McKay, Ph.D.
Course Director
University of Cincinnati
www.DrMcKay.com
Dr. McKay does not receive any public or private funding
for this educational service. The opinions in this newsletter
are those of Dr. McKay and not the University of
Cincinnati.
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