FitTick - Respirator & Mask Fit Testing
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Respirator Fit Testing
FitTick makes complying with legislation for Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) fit testing easy. We operate Australia-wide and offer mobile on-site, pop-up and in-house fit testing of Respiratory Protective Equipment of all types and brands. To reduce the impact on your workflows, we can offer 24/7 testing utilising our purpose-built mobile fit testing booth or by setting up pop-up testing facilities on-site or close to your location.
What is a Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) fit test?
An RPE fit test assesses if a respirator (for example a mask) is fitted properly to the wearer’s face. It ensures that the RPE provided is the right type and size, is maintained well, and produces a proper seal between the respirator and the face of the wearer.
Our expert FitTick team are experienced in testing all brands, styles and types of masks. We test workers in many different industries, including hospital and health care, mining, stone cutting, manufacturing and pharmaceutical.
RPE fit testing is recommended in the Australian Standards but it also helps to ensure workers are safe and organisational occupational health and safety (OHS) risks are reduced.
Australian Standard
AS/NZ 1715:2009
Why Respirator & Mask (RPE) Fit testing?
Duty of care
FitTick fit testing ensures that employees adjust their RPE properly so it provides an adequate seal on the wearers face, even when combined with other PPE such as glasses or hard-hats, or when the employee is doing work that requires movement.
Risk Management
Fit testing can provide your business with valuable OHS insights by uncovering risks such as wrong masks, old masks needing replacement, employee non-compliance, and seal risks such as employees with facial hair.
Ongoing Compliancy
Ideally, fit testing should form part of your pre-employment or onboarding process to produce current test results for your employee file.
Fit testing Procedure
For any person who is required to wear a respirator, a general health survey is conducted to gather information about existing health conditions such as asthma, as well as habits of the participant such as smoking.
Please note if the participant at any time during the RPE fit testing process becomes dizzy or feels unwell, the test can be stopped and repeated at any stage.
Our FitTick technician will explain the RPE fit testing procedure to the participant, how the test will be conducted, how the equipment determines if the mask is fitted properly, and how the individual can help to make sure an adequate seal is being achieved during the test.
Respirator Fit Testing is a simple process of 7 stages, each one takes approx. 1 min and they are typical activities the participant would go through while normally wearing a mask at their workplace.
These stages are:
- Normal Breathing
- Deep Breathing
- Head Side to Side
- Head up and down
- Talking
- Bending over and upright
- Normal Breathing
Based on the report produced by our respirator fit testing equipment, the FitTick consultant will review and discuss the results with the participant and will be available to answer questions.
FitTick uses the qualitative testing procedure to ensure a minimal time impact on your operation. Our standard procedures apply to mobile, on-site and pop-up testing, and we are happy to test wherever and whenever it suits you.
Our specialised and experienced staff will guide the participant through the testing procedure as the test is conducted. A fit test usually does not take more than 20 minutes and produces objective results. A report will be sent to the employer immediately, usually on the day of the test. The FitTick Card will be sent within a week after testing has commenced.
*Testing is recommended to be conducted annually or if there if there has been any weight loss/gain, if any major facial changes have occurred, or if a new mask is purchased.
Mobile Pop-Up
We offer pop-up testing at your workplace or anywhere Australia-wide at a suitable location.
Mobile Booth
Our purpose-built and calibrated testing booth is available throughout South Australia.
Testing location requirements
Pop-Up (onsite)
Please provide a lockable room or office (approx. 20sqm) in a quiet and clean area of your worksite that offers at least two power points, a table and two chairs. Offices close to the source of dust and airborne material will influence the test results.
Pop-Up (offsite)
We will set-up a testing facility as close as possible to your worksite or as easy to access for your workforce (e.g. CBD) as possible. Please make sure that your employees are instructed that the test will be conducted offsite.
Mobile Testing Booth
Please assign us an appropriate parking area. Even though testing is conducted in a closed environment, results can vary greatly if the surrounding dust levels are too high (e.g. when parked next to open manufacturing plants).
Tips for employees to prepare a
Respiration Fit Test
Please arrive clean-shaven*
To assure the best possible seal workers required to wear RPE should always be clean shaved.
Test results can be significantly impacted by facial hair and passing the test is unlikely if the participant is not clean-shaven.
*As a general rule, employees should always be clean-shaven when wearing a respirator.
Please bring your own mask (optional) and replace/renew filters if possible.
Long hair should be tied back away from face.
Please do not drink coffee for 1 hour prior to test (Including iced coffee).
Please do not smoke for 1 hour prior to test
Fit testing Results
Each test produces a digital file containing the details of the person tested, a date and time stamp and the results of the test. Our system also produces a computer print-out which, on completion of the respirator fit test, is sent to the employer for their records. The digital file is used by FitTick to produce the FitTick Card, and to provide information to the employer any time when needed.
FitTick Card
The durable FitTick card is designed to be carried with you so you can prove your PPE is up to the relevant standard, including the date of your test and the due date of the next test.
All employees passing the assessment will receive a card, while their employer can rest assured that their testing information is held safely and securely in our database, ensuring timely reminders once tests are due, even if the employee misplaces their card.
Request a Quick Quote or book online
We are happy to provide you with a custom quote, however for one-off tests or low amounts of tests (less than 10) please book online.