Is fit testing required for positive pressure (PAPR) respirators, like it is for negative pressure respirators?
IMPORTANT NOTE: Not when using MAXAIR Systems, which are positive pressure devices that supply 6 to 9 cubic feet per minute (cfm) of airflow. OSHA does not require fit testing for positive pressure respirators as MAXAIR. OSHA does require annual fit testing on negative pressure respirators as N95s.
However, OSHA does require all respirator users to complete a medical evaluation questionnaire before using any respirator and to undergo annual retraining on respirators used.
Fit-testing is only required for tight-fitting respirators. However, even tight-fitting positive pressure respirators such as Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) require fit-testing. • Will we receive the results of our medical exams? Corporate WORx Occupational Health Services will let you know the outcome of your exam. You may get copies of your medical records from Corporate WORx directly. If you need a copy for your own physician or another purpose, work directly with Corporate WORx for those requests. The University does not get or see any medical records – only a determination of your capability to wear a respirator. • If you’re wearing a respirator you’re not be exposed to anything at all, are you? Wrong. Any filter of cartridge will let a percentage of the contaminant through. The filter or cartridge efficiency, in conjunction with the type of mask help determine the protection factor for a particular respirator, which translates into how effective (how many times over th
