The International Safety and Health Specialists – Respirator Fit Testing Workshop

Course Description:

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires annual fit-testing for most respirators. The proper fit-testing of respirators is one be the most important elements of your respiratory protection program. Fit-testers must be able to apply understand the logic and theory behind Fit-Testing. Because fit-testing can appear to be routine and repetitive, it is important that Fit-Testing is done correctly.

Although OSHA does not have a certification requirement for fit tester training, it requires that the fit-tester be familiar with 29 CFR 1910.134 and the two acceptable fit test methods as well as the limitations of the models of respirators being tested:

Fit test trainer requirements, according to OSHA’s Fit Testing Procedures—1910.134 App A Mandatory:

Quantitative Fit Test (QNFT) Calibrate equipment Perform tests properly Recognize an invalid test Calculate fit factors properly Ensure equipment is in working order

Qualitative Fit Test (QLFT) Prepare test solutions Calibrate equipment Perform tests properly Recognize an invalid test Ensure equipment is in working order

This fit-testing course reviews the 8 Respirator Program elements required in the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134), clarifies when fit-testing is needed and when Quantitative Fit Test (QNFT) and Qualitative Fit Test (QLFT) are necessary,. It also reviews the ASTM F23, AIHA/ANSI Z88.10-2010 “Respirator Fit Testing Methods”. Dr. Terpin is a ASTM F23, Z88 and ANSI Z88.10 committee member.

Appendix A, 29 CFR 1910.134: Fit Testing Procedures (Mandatory), Part I. OSHA-Accepted Fit Test Protocols, A. Fit Testing Procedures — General Requirements – The employer shall conduct fit testing using the following procedures. The requirements in this appendix apply to all OSHA-accepted fit test methods, both QLFT and QNFT

1926.103 Respiratory protection. – The requirements applicable to construction work under this section are identical to those set forth at 29 CFR 1910.134 of this chapter. [63 FR 1297; Jan. 8, 1998]

EPA Directive (OSWER 9285.3-12) establishes a policy requiring EPA emergency response (ER) personnel to implement and adhere to consistent Health and Safety standards and management practices issued in the Emergency Responder Health & Safety (H&S) Manual.

Program Topics:
The OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard, Appendix A, Appendix B-2 Mandatory, How to Inspect Respirators Prior to Fit Testing, General Fit Testing Comments and Procedures, Donning/Doffing procedures, Fitting Tips, Strap Adjustment, User Seal Checks, Saccharin & Bitrex, Qualitative and Quantitative Fit Test Fit Testing Procedures & Demonstration, Inspection Procedures Workshop, , General Principles, Pass/Fail Criteria, Installing Fit Test Adapters, Calculating Pass/Fail criteria for fit testing, Improving Testing Techniques, Interpretation of Test Results, Common Testing Mistakes Pitfalls, False Positive and False Negative Tests, Disassembly and Assembly Special Respirator Problems and Solutions, Re-assembly & Final Inspection.

Your Instructor: – Dennis Terpin – ASSE Hawaii Local Chapter Member – ASTM International Technical Committee F23 on Personal Protective Clothing/Equipment and Respiratory Protection (ANSI Z88-Z88.10 Committee Member.

Dennis A. Terpin, PhD, O.H.S.T. Dr. Terpin is the Senior Industrial Hygienist/Emergency Manager for the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Terpin is a Certified Master Level Instructor for FEMA/Department of Homeland Security teaching at the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) CORBRA live agent training center specializing in respiratory protection. Dennis has over 48 years of experience in the Occupational Safety and Health, Laboratory Safety and Emergency Management fields.

This summer Dr. Terpin will be presenting Technical Session and Professional Development Sessions on Respiratory Protection at the National Conferences of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), The Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA) and College & University Hazardous Material Management Conference (CUHMMC) annual conferences.

* 2018 ASSE Annual Conference – S536, titled “Respiratory Protection Program Development and Administration” Monday, June 4, 2018, at 1:00pm – 2:00pm. 

Dr. Terpin has provided safety training to organizations such as the FEMA/DHS, Ford Motor Company (3 Counties), General Dynamics, United States Navy, United States Army, United States Air Force, Amoco, BP, Exxon, General Dynamics, Motorola, Google, GlaxoSmithKline, University of Hawaii, Lawson Safety, Pineridge Farms Inc., Hawaii Electric, Abhe & Svoboda Inc. Grace Pacific, KING & NEEL, Kamehameha Schools, MIT, Georgetown University, Virginia Tech. University of Colorado- Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Penn State University, Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Kamehameha Schools, Georgia Institute of Technology, Kent State University Geauga Campus, University of Washington Tacoma Campus, Bemidji State University, Dartmouth College, National Institute of Standards and Technology, University of Central Florida, University of Illinois at Chicago, Northern Illinois University, University of Toronto Scarborough, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ecology Services, Inc., University of Hawaii, Whitman College, Brigham Young University, Loma Linda University, Texas A & M University – Corpus Christi, Université de Montréal, Oklahoma State, University of Houston–Downtown, Western Washington University, Washington State University Tri-Cities, Heritage University, Community Colleges of Spokane, Central Washington University, Seattle University, Columbia Basin College, University of Idaho, Washington State University, Eastern Washington University, Walla Walla University, The National Safety Council, OSHA Training Institute, and governmental agencies throughout the United States and 10 counties.

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