Half Mask Respirator I: Donning, Doffing and Fit Testing

Demonstration of the correct procedures involved in the donning, doffing and fit testing of a half mask respirator. Some steps refer to specific UNMC policies and procedures and may need to be altered for your organization.

Respirator Fit Testing (Qualitative)

For those who wear filtering face pieces or other half mask respirators with a protection factor of less than 10, Safety Links can provide qualitative fit testing. This procedure uses a chemical such as Bitrex, saccharin, or even irritant smoke to qualify the face seal leakage. www.safetylinks.net

Influenza Respirator Fit Testing Portacount Quantitative Method

Sadly, healthcare workers worldwide are often not getting the protection they need from airborne disease,such as the current swine flu. In this current swine flu outbreak, CDC began suggesting that surgical masks will do to protect healthcare workers (without the nylon stockings mentioned in this song). Much evidence regarding airborne transmission and the need for true respirators has accumulated since this video was made. A recent report by the US Institute of Medicine (IOM) RESPIRATORY PROTECTION FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN THE WORKPLACE AGAINST NOVEL H1N1 INFLUENZA A (WWW.NAP.EDU ) supports that health care workers who interact with patients suspected or confirmed to be infected with novel H1N1 influenza Ashould wear fitted N95 respirators, which filter better than looser medical masks. However, wearing N95 respirators should be only one element of workers' and health care organizations' infection control strategies. This video shows the importance of respirator fit testing for healthcare workers who will be exposed to H1N1 (swine) flu. It also demonstrates the quantitative fit testing protocol, (using the TSI Portacount machine) one of two methods generally approved for employers to use. Check with your occupational health and safety agency for their specific requirements. Without passing a fit test, a respirator will not provide the expected protection and the wearer will be at an increased risk of becoming ill from the flu. We need our healthcare workers to stay ...

The JSP Fit Testing Solution

Qualitative Fit Testing can be used on what are defined as tight fitting respirators, with the exception of full face masks. Within the JSP Respiratory Protective Equipment range these products are: Moulded Disposable Dust Masks Vertical Fold Flat Dust Masks Tradesman 2 and 3 (fitted with dust filters) Maximask 2000 Half Mask (fitted with dust filters) Full face masks cannot be tested because the test hood is not large enough for the mask fitted with a filter. For testing this product it will be necessary to use the Quantitative method (discussed below). Qualitative Fit Testing can be used not only as a test method to ensure your employees are properly protected; but also as a very effective way of training them in the correct way of fitting a mask. Dust and half masks commonly fail to do the job they are intended to do because of poor fitting and care by the user. The seal between the face and the edge of the mask is the most common problem area. You will also see users using a mask after having kept it on their head or hanging round the neck. The test employs a hood to create a small test chamber around the users head, and a test solution. This test solution has a bitter taste. It is the same type of solution that is put on childrens toys and fingernails to stop them chewing them. As the test uses these two consumable parts and is designed to be carried out by the employer; it is a very cost effective solution for assessing the ability of the selected Respiratory ...