Respiratory Fit Testing

Monument Occupational Medicine provides OSHA-compliant respiratory fit testing in Colorado Springs for employers and employees who are required to wear respirators in the workplace. Dr. Anjmun Sharma and our experienced team perform both qualitative and quantitative respirator fit testing to help businesses meet OSHA requirements while protecting the health and safety of their workforce. Contact our office today to schedule respiratory fit testing for an individual employee or your organization.

Respiratory Fit Testing Q&A

What Is Respiratory Fit Testing?

Respiratory fit testing is an OSHA-required evaluation that confirms your respirator forms a proper seal against your face. A properly fitted respirator helps protect workers from airborne hazards such as dust, fumes, chemicals, infectious agents, and other harmful contaminants encountered in the workplace.

Because facial features and respirator designs vary, a respirator that fits one person may not provide adequate protection for another. Annual fit testing helps ensure your equipment continues to provide the protection required for your job.

Who Needs Respiratory Fit Testing?

Many employees are required to complete annual respiratory fit testing as part of their workplace safety program.

Respirator fit testing is commonly required for professionals working in:

• Healthcare and hospitals
• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Industrial facilities
• Emergency response
• Public safety
• Laboratories
• Environmental services

If your employer requires a respirator as part of your job, OSHA generally requires both a medical evaluation and periodic fit testing.

What Types of Respiratory Fit Testing Do You Offer?

Monument Occupational Medicine offers both OSHA-approved methods of respirator fit testing.

Qualitative Fit Testing

Qualitative fit testing is a pass-or-fail evaluation that relies on your ability to detect a test agent by taste, smell, or irritation. This method is commonly used for tight-fitting half-face respirators such as N95 masks.

Quantitative Fit Testing

Quantitative fit testing uses specialized equipment to measure the amount of leakage into the respirator and provides objective numerical results. This method is often required for employees using full-face respirators or working in higher-risk environments.

How Should I Prepare for My Appointment?

To help ensure accurate results:

• Do not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum for at least 15 minutes before testing.
• Complete any required OSHA medical evaluation forms before your appointment.
• Be familiar with how to properly put on and adjust your respirator.

Following these steps helps the testing process move efficiently.

What Happens During Respiratory Fit Testing?

Most appointments take approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

During the evaluation, you'll wear your workplace respirator while performing a series of exercises designed to evaluate the seal, including:

• Normal breathing
• Deep breathing
• Turning your head side to side
• Moving your head up and down
• Talking
• Bending over or jogging in place
• Returning to normal breathing

If leakage is detected, your provider will help adjust the respirator or determine whether a different size or model is needed. Once you successfully complete the evaluation, the required OSHA documentation is completed for your employer.

Why Choose Monument Occupational Medicine?

Monument Occupational Medicine provides occupational health services for employers throughout Colorado Springs and the surrounding communities. Our team understands OSHA requirements and works with businesses across many industries to provide timely testing, accurate documentation, and efficient scheduling.

Whether you need respiratory fit testing for one employee or an entire workforce, we can help you maintain compliance while protecting employee health and workplace safety.

Schedule Respiratory Fit Testing

If you need OSHA respiratory fit testing in Colorado Springs, Monument Occupational Medicine is here to help.

Call 719-445-9852 or request an appointment online to schedule your respiratory fit testing today.