Respiratory Training & Fit Testing

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Duration:  Varies on number of employees

Target Audience: Employees required to wear respirators; supervisors; program administrators

Regulatory Basis:

• Title 8 CCR § 5144 (Respiratory Protection)
• Title 8 CCR § 3203 (Injury and Illness Prevention Program – training)
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Learning Objective:
Ensure employees can properly select, use, inspect, and maintain respirators, and successfully complete fit testing in compliance with Cal/OSHA requirements.

• Purpose of respiratory protection programs
• Health effects of airborne contaminants:
  • Dusts
  • Fumes
  • Vapors
  • Gases
• Overview of employer responsibilities under §5144

• Written Respiratory Protection Program requirement
• Medical evaluation requirements (prior to respirator use)
• Training and fit testing requirements:
  • Initial and annual fit testing required
  • Voluntary vs required respirator use
  • Employee rights and responsibilities

• Air-purifying respirators (APR):
  • Filtering facepiece (e.g., N95)
  • Half-mask
  • Full-face
• Atmosphere-supplying respirators:
  • Supplied-air respirators (SAR)
  • Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
  • Assigned Protection Factors (APF) overview

• Matching respirator type to hazard
• Understanding exposure limits (PEL awareness)
• Cartridge and filter selection:
  • Particulates vs gases/vapors
  • Limitations of respirators

• Donning and doffing procedures
• User seal checks:
  • Positive pressure
  • Negative pressure
• Facial hair restrictions (seal interference)
• When to replace filters/cartridges

• Pre-use inspection steps:
  • Facepiece
  • Straps
  • Valves
• Cleaning and disinfecting
• Proper storage to prevent damage/contamination
• Removing defective respirators from service

• Purpose of fit testing
• Types of fit testing:
  • Qualitative Fit Test (QLFT)
  • Quantitative Fit Test (QNFT)
• When fit testing is required:
  • Before initial use
  • Annually
• When facial changes occur

• Oxygen-deficient environments
• Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) atmospheres
• When NOT to use certain respirators
• Emergency escape respirators

• Written knowledge assessment
• Practical evaluation:
  • Proper respirator use
  • Fit test completion
• Documentation of training and fit test results