FAQ
Workers must take all necessary steps to ensure the proper fit and use of respirators. When wearing tight-fitting respirators, workers must ensure an effective face seal. Facial hair, including beards, moustaches, sideburns and stubble, between the sealing surface of a tight-facing facepiece and the face will stop the respirator from sealing properly. Workers should be clean shaven where the respirator facepiece comes in contact with the skin before wearing their respirator. Fit tests will not be conducted if the worker is not clean shaven. This is a requirement under AS/NZS 1715. Click here to see facial hair styles which may be suitable for half and full face respirators.
On your test day you are required to bring the mask you would like to be tested in, whether it is disposable or reusable. You are also required to bring any other PPE that your wear while using the mask which could interfere with the respirator seal (such as goggles, hearing protection, face shields, hard hat, etc). You must not consume anything by mouth in the 30 minutes preceding the test, including (but not limited to) smoking, eating, drinking, chewing gum, or vaping. Consuming these may introduce contaminants into the breathing space of the respirator which may be detected by the Portacount machine, causing an incorrect result.
At the end of a successful fit test you will be provided with a card with your name, respirator model, test results,and date. We also issue a certificate to provide to your employer for their RPE testing records, and for your own records.
You can - As long as the mask meets Australian Standards and you pass the test you won't need to purchase a new mask. Please bring your mask along on the day of the fit test.
We can test you in whichever masks you require - If you use disposable masks for certain jobs and reusable ones for others, we can test in both. We can also fit test in medical/N95 masks. We'll ask for this infomation when you make your booking, so you'll need to know the manufacturer and part number of the masks you are currently using.
Fit testing is required for employees wearing tight-fighting respirators, such as disposable or reusable respirators. The fit test will help ensure the user has selected the correct size respirator and that a seal against the face can be made in order to provide the expected protection. It’s required by AS/NZS 1715, and should be assessed at least annually, and also:
- Whenever a different size, style, model or make of respirator is used
- When any facial changes occur that could affect fit, such as significant weight fluctuation or dental work (Including any other facial changes like scars, moles, effects of ageing in the area where the respirator seals to the face)
- Facial piercings
- Introduction or change in other head-worn PPE
