WAC 296-307-60605   Conduct fit testing.  

     You must:

     • Provide, at no cost to the employee, fit tests for ALL tight fitting respirators on the following schedule:

     – Before employees are assigned duties that may require the use of respirators

     – At least every twelve months after initial testing

     – Whenever any of the following occurs:

     ▪ A different respirator facepiece is chosen such as a different type, model, style, or size

     ▪ You become aware of a physical change in an employee that could affect respirator fit. For example, you may observe, or be told about, facial scarring, dental changes, cosmetic surgery, or obvious weight changes

     ▪ An employee notifies you, or your LHCP, that the respirator fit is unacceptable. During the retest, you must give an employee reasonable opportunity to select a different respirator facepiece (size, model, etc.).

Note:	You may accept a fit test completed by a previous employer IF:
	• You obtain written documentation of the fit test
	AND
	• The results of the fit test are not more than twelve months old
	AND
	• The employee will use the same respirator (the same type, model, style, and size)
	AND
	• The fit test was conducted in a way that meets the requirements of WAC 296-307-606 and 296-307-62010.

     You must:

     • Select an appropriate fit-testing procedure from WAC 296-307-62010 of this part AND:

     – Use quantitative fit-test methods when a negative pressure respirator will be used in concentrations requiring a protection factor greater than 10. This includes:

     ▪ Full facepiece air-purifying respirators

     ▪ SCBAs operated in demand (negative pressure) mode

     ▪ Air-line respirators operated in demand mode.

     – Make sure PAPRs, SCBAs, or air-line respirators are fit tested in negative-pressure mode.

     • Make sure the person conducting fit testing is able to do ALL of the following:

     – Prepare test solutions if required

     – Make sure equipment works properly

     – Perform tests properly

     – Recognize invalid tests

     – Calculate fit factors properly if required.

Note:	• No specific training program or certification is required for those who conduct fit tests.
	• You should consider evaluating these individuals to determine their proficiency in the fit-testing method to be used.
	• You can use an evaluation form such as the form included in the American National Standard for Respirator Fit Testing Methods, ANSI/AIHA Z88.10-2001 to determine if the individual meets these requirements. Visit www.ansi.org or www.aiha.org.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. 05-01-166, § 296-307-60605, filed 12/21/04, effective 4/2/05.]