Appendix D to § 1910.1025 - Qualitative Fit Test Protocols

This appendix specifies the only allowable qualitative fit test protocols permissible for compliance with paragraph (f)(3)(ii).

I. Isoamyl Acetate Protocol

A. Odor threshold screening.

1. Three 1-liter glass jars with metal lids (e.g. Mason or Bell jars) are required.

2. Odor-free water (e.g. distilled or spring water) at approximately 25°C shall be used for the solutions.

3. The isoamyl acetate (IAA) (also known as isopentyl acetate) stock solution is prepared by adding 1 cc of pure IAA to 800 cc of odor free water in a 1-liter jar and shaking for 30 seconds. This solution shall be prepared new at least weekly.

4. The screening test shall be conducted in a room separate from the room used for actual fit testing. The two rooms shall be well ventilated but may not be connected to the same recirculating ventilation system.

5. The odor test solution is prepared in a second jar by placing. .4 cc of the stock solution into 500 cc of odor free water using a clean dropper or pipette. Shake for 30 seconds and allow to stand for two to three minutes so that the IAA concentration above the liquid may reach equilibrium. This solution may be used for only one day.

6. A test blank is prepared in a third jar by adding 500 cc of odor free water.

7. The odor test and test blank jars shall be labelled 1 and 2 for jar identification. If the labels are put on the lids they can be periodically dried off and switched to avoid people thinking the same jar always has the IAA.

8. The following instructions shall be typed on a card and placed on the table in front of the two test jars (i.e. 1 and 2);

“The purpose of this test is to determine if you can smell banana oil at a low concentration. The two bottles in front of you contain water. One of these bottles also contains a small amount of banana oil. Be sure the covers are on tight, then shake each bottle for two seconds. Unscrew the lid of each bottle, one at a time, and sniff at the mouth of the bottle. Indicate to the test conductor which bottle contains banana oil.”

9. The mixtures used in the IAA odor detection test shall be prepared in an area separate from where the test is performed, in order to prevent olfactory fatigue in the subject.

10. If the test subject is unable to correctly identify the jar containing the odor test solution, the IAA QLFT may not be used.

11. If the test subject correctly identifies the jar containing the odor test solution he may proceed to respirator selection and fit testing.

B. Respirator selection.

1. The test subject shall be allowed to select the most comfortable respirator from a large array of various sizes and manufacturers that includes at least three sizes of elastomeric half facepieces and units of at least two manufacturers.

2. The selection process shall be conducted in a room separate from the fit-test chamber to prevent odor fatigue. Prior to the selection process, the test subject shall be shown how to put on a respirator, how it should be positioned on the face, how to set strap tension and how to assess an “comfortable” respirator. A mirror shall be available to assist the subject in evaluating the fit and positioning of the respirator. This may not constitute his formal training on respirator use, only a review.

3. The test subject should understand that he is being asked to select the respirator which provides the most comfortable fit for him. Each respirator represents a different size and shape and, if fit properly, will provide adequate protection.

4. The test subject holds each facepiece up to his face and eliminates those which are obviously not giving a comfortable fit. Normally, selection will begin with a half-mask and if a fit cannot be found here, the subject will be asked to go to the full facepiece respirators. (A small percentage of users will not be able to wear any half-mask.)

5. The more comfortable facepieces are recorded; the most comfortable mask is donned and worn at least five minutes to assess comfort. Assistance in assessing comfort can be given by discussing the points in #6 below. If the test subject is not familiar with using a particular respirator, he shall be directed to don the mask several times and to adjust the straps each time, so that he becomes adept at setting proper tension on the straps.

6. Assessment of comfort shall include reviewing the following points with the test subject:

• Chin properly placed. • Positioning of mask on nose. • Strap tension. • Fit across nose bridge. • Room for safety glasses. • Distance from nose to chin. • Room to talk. • Tendency to slip. • Cheeks filled out. • Self-observation in mirror. • Adequate time for assessment.

7. The test subject shall conduct the conventional negative and positive-pressure fit checks (e.g. see ANSI Z88.2-1980). Before conducting the negative- or positive-pressure checks, the subject shall be told to “seat” his mask by rapidly moving the head side-to-side and up and down, taking a few deep breaths.

8. The test subject is now ready for fit testing.

9. After passing the fit test, the test subject shall be questioned again regarding the comfort of the respirator. If it has become uncomfortable, another model of respirator shall be tried.

10. The employee shall be given the opportunity to select a different facepiece and be retested if during the first two weeks of on-the-job wear the chosen facepiece becomes unacceptably uncomfortable.

C. Fit test.

1. The fit test chamber shall be substantially similar to a clear 55 gallon drum liner suspended inverted over a 2 foot diameter frame, so that the top of chamber is about 6 inches above the test subject's head. The inside top center of the chamber shall have a small hook attached.

2. Each respirator used for the fitting and fit testing shall be equipped with organic vapor cartridges or offer protection against organic vapors. The cartridges or masks shall be changed at least weekly.

3. After selecting, donning, and properly adjusting a respirator himself, the test subject shall wear it to the fit testing room. This room shall be separate from the room used for odor threshold screening and respirator selection, and shall be well ventilated, as by an exhaust fan or lab hook, to prevent general room contamination.

4. A copy of the following test exercises and rainbow (or equally effective) passage shall be taped to the inside of the test chamber:

Test Exercises

i. Normal breathing.

ii. Deep breathing. Be certain breaths are deep and regular.

iii. Turning head from side-to-side. Be certain movement is complete. Alert the test subject not to bump the respirator on the shoulders. Have the test subject inhale when his head is at either side.

iv. Nodding head up-and-down. Be certain motions are complete and made about every second. Alert the test subject not bump the respirator on the chest. Have the test subject inhale when his head is in the fully up position.

v. Talking. Talk aloud and slowly for several minutes. The following paragraph is called the Rainbow Passage. Reading it will result in a wide range of facial movements, and thus be useful to satisfy this requirement. Alternative passages which serve the same purpose may also be used.

Rainbow Passage

When the sunlight strikes raindrops in the air, they act like a prism and form a rainbow. The rainbow is a division of white light into many beautiful colors. These take the shape of a long round arch, with its path high above, and its two ends apparently beyond the horizon. There is, according to legend, a boiling pot of gold at one end. People look, but no one ever finds it. When a man looks for something beyond reach, his friends say he is looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

vi. Normal breathing.

5. Each test subject shall wear his respirator for at least 10 minutes before starting the fit test.

6. Upon entering the test chamber, the test subject shall be given a 6 inch by 5 inch piece of paper towel or other porous absorbent single ply material, folded in half and wetted with three-quarters of one cc of pure IAA. The test subject shall hang the wet towel on the hook at the top of the chamber.

7. Allow two minutes for the IAA test concentration to be reached before starting the fit-test exercises. This would be an appropriate time to talk with the test subject, to explain the fit test, the importance of his cooperation, the purpose for the head exercises, or to demonstrate some of the exercises.

8. Each exercise described in No. 4 above shall be performed for at least one minute.

9. If at any time during the test, the subject detects the banana-like odor of IAA, he shall quickly exit from the test chamber and leave the test area to avoid olfactory fatigue.

10. Upon returning to the selection room, the subject shall remove the respirator, repeat the odor sensitivity test, select and put on another respirator, return to the test chamber, etc. The process continues until a respirator that fits well has been found. Should the odor sensitivity test be failed, the subject shall wait about 5 minutes before retesting. Odor sensitivity will usually have returned by this time.

11. If a person cannot be fitted with the selection of half-mask respirators, include full facepiece models in the selection process. When a respirator is found that passes the test, its efficiency shall be demonstrated for the subject by having him break the face seal and take a breath before exiting the chamber.

12. When the test subject leaves the chamber he shall remove the saturated towel, returning it to the test conductor. To keep the area from becoming contaminated, the used towels shall be kept in a self-sealing bag. There is no significant IAA concentration buildup in the test chamber from subsequent tests.

13. Persons who have successfully passed this fit test may be assigned the use of the tested respirator in atmospheres with up to 10 times the PEL of airborne lead. In other words this IAA protocol may be used to assign a protection factor no higher than 10.

II. Saccharin Solution Aerosol Protocol

A. Taste threshold screening.

1. Threshold screening as well as fit testing employees shall use an enclosure about the head and shoulders that is approximately 12 inches in diameter by 14 inches tall with at least the front portion clear and that allows free movement of the head when a respirator is worn. An enclosure substantially similar to the 3M hood assembly of part # FT 14 and FT 15 combined is adequate.

2. The test enclosure shall have a three-quarter inch hole in front of the test subject's nose and mouth area to accommodate the nebulizer nozzle.

3. The entire screening and testing procedure shall be explained to the test subject prior to the conduct of the screening test.

4. The test subject shall don the test enclosure. For the threshold screening test, he shall breath through his open mouth with tongue extended.

5. Using a DeVilbiss Model 40 Inhalation Medication Nebulizer or equivalent, the test conductor shall spray the threshold check solution into the enclosure. This nebulizer shall be clearly marked to distinguish it from the fit test solution nebulizer.

6. The threshold check solution consists of 0.83 grams of sodium saccharin, USP in water. It can be prepared by putting 1 cc of the test solution (see C6 below) in 100 cc of water.

7. To produce the aerosol, the nebulizer bulb is firmly squeezed so that it collapses completely then released and allowed to fully expand.

8. Ten squeezes are repeated rapidly and then the test subject is asked whether the saccharin can be tasted.

9. If the first response is negative, ten more squeezes are repeated rapidly and the test subject is again asked whether the saccharin is tasted.

10. If the second response is negative ten more squeezes are repeated rapidly and the test subject is again asked whether the saccharin is tasted.

11. The test conductor will take note of the number of squeezes required to elicit a taste response.

12. If the saccharin is not tasted after 30 squeezes (Step 9), the test subject may not perform the saccharin fit test.

13. If a taste response is elicited, the test subject shall be asked to take note of the taste for reference in the fit test.

14. Correct use of the nebulizer means that approximately 1 cc of liquid is used at a time in the nebulizer body.

15. The nebulizer shall be thoroughly rinsed in water, shaken dry, and refilled at least each morning and afternoon or at least every four hours.

B. Respirator selection.

Respirators shall be selected as described in section IB above, except that each respirator shall be equipped with a particulate filter cartridge.

C. Fit test.

1. The fit test uses the same enclosure described in B1 and B2 above

2. Each test subject shall wear his respirator for at least 10 minutes before starting the fit test.

3. The test subject shall don the enclosure while wearing the respirator selected in section A above. This respirator shall be properly adjusted and equipped with a particulate filter cartridge.

4. The test subject may not eat, drink (except plain water), or chew gum for 15 minutes before the test.

5. A second DeVilbiss Model 40 Inhalation Medication Nebulizer or equivalent, is used to spray the fit test solution into the enclosure. This nebulizer shall be clearly marked to distinguish it from the screening test solution nebulizer.

6. The fit test solution is prepared by adding 83 grams of sodium saccharin to 100 cc of warm water.

7. As before, the test subject shall breathe through the open mouth with tongue extended.

8. The nebulizer is inserted into the hole in the front of the enclosure and the fit test solution is sprayed into the enclosure and the fit test solution is sprayed into the enclosure using the same technique as for the taste threshold screening and the same number of squeezes required to elicit a taste response in the screening. (See B 10 above).

9. After generation of the aerosol the test subject shall be instructed to perform the following exercises for one minute each.

i. Normal breathing.

ii. Deep breathing. Be certain breaths are deep and regular.

iii. Turning head from side-to-side. Be certain movement is complete. Alert the test subject not to bump the respirator on the shoulders. Have the test subject inhale when his head is at either side.

iv. Nodding head up-and-down. Be certain motions are complete. Alert the test subject not to bump the respirator on the chest. Have the test subject inhale when his head in the fully up position.

v. Talking. Talk aloud and slowly for several minutes. The following paragraph is called the Rainbow Passage. Reading it will result in a wide range of facial movements, and thus be useful to satisfy this requirement. Alternative passages which serve the same purpose may also be used.

Rainbow Passage

When the sunlight strikes raindrops in the air, they act like a prism and form a rainbow. The rainbow is a division of white light into many beautiful colors. These take the shape of a long round arch, with its path high above, and its two ends apparently beyond the horizon. There is, according to legend, a boiling pot of gold at one end. People look, but no one ever finds it. When a man looks for something beyond his reach, his friends say he is looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

10. Every 30 seconds, the aerosol concentration shall be replenished using one-half the number of squeeze as initially (C8).

11. The test subject shall so indicate to the test conductor if at any time during the fit test the taste of saccharin is detected.

12. If the saccharin is detected the fit is deemed unsatisfactory and a different respirator shall be tried.

13. Successful completion of the test protocol shall allow the use of the tested respirator in contaminated atmospheres up to 10 times the PEL. In other words this protocol may be used assign protection factors no higher than ten.

III. Irritant Fume Protocol

A. Respirator selection.

Respirators shall be selected as described in section IB above, except that each respirator shall be equipped with high efficiency cartridges.

B. Fit test.

1. The test subject shall be allowed to smell a weak concentration of the irritant smoke to familiarize him with the characteristic odor of each.

2. The test subject shall properly don the respirator selected as above, and wear it for at least 10 minutes before starting the fit test.

3. The test conductor shall review this protocol with the test subject before testing.

4. The test subject shall perform the conventional positive pressure and negative pressure fit checks. Failure of either check shall be cause to select an alternate respirator.

5. Break both ends of a ventilation smoke tube containing stannic oxychloride, such as the MSA part No. 5645, or equivalent. Attach a short length of tubing to one end of the smoke tube. Attach the other end of the smoke tube to a low pressure air pump set to deliver 200 milliliters per minute.

6. Advise the test subject that the smoke can be irritating to the eyes and instruct him to keep his eyes closed while the test is performed.

7. The test conductor shall direct the stream of irritant smoke from the tube towards the faceseal area of the test subject. He shall begin at least 12 inches from the facepiece and gradually move to within one inch, moving around the whole perimeter of the mask.

8. The following exercises shall be performed while the respirator seal is being challenged by the smoke. Each shall be performed for one minute.

i. Normal breathing.

ii. Deep breathing. Be certain breaths are deep and regular.

iii. Turning head from side-to-side. Be certain movement is complete. Alert the test subject not to bump the respirator on the shoulders. Have test subject inhale when his head is at either side.

iv. Nodding head up-and-down. Be certain motions are complete. Alert the test subject not to bump the respirator on the chest. Have the test subject inhale when his head is in the fully up position.

v. Talking—slowly and distinctly, count backwards from 100.

vi. Normal breathing.

9. If the irritant smoke produces an involuntary reaction (cough) by the test subject, the test conductor shall stop the test. In this case the tested respirator is rejected and another respirator shall be selected.

10. Each test subject passing the smoke test without evidence of a response shall be given a sensitivity check of the smoke from the same tube to determine whether he reacts to the smoke. Failure to evoke a response shall void the fit test.

11. Steps B4, B7, B8 of this protocol shall be performed in a location with exhaust ventilation sufficient to prevent general contamination of the testing area by the irritant smoke.

12. Respirators successfully tested by the protocol may be used in contaminated atmospheres up to ten times the PEL. In other words this protocol may be used to assign protection factors not exceeding ten.