OSHA fit-testing requirements

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s proposed TB standard states that employers should perform either quantitative or qualitative fit tests in accordance with procedures outlined in the document.

OSHA plans to require employers to assure that each employee who must wear a tight-fitting respirator passes a fit test at the following designated times:

• at the time of initial fitting;

• whenever changes occur in the employee’s facial characteristics that affect the respirator’s fit;

• whenever a different size or make of respirator is used;

• at least annually thereafter, unless the annual determination required in the document’s medical surveillance section indicates that it is unnecessary.

Source: Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Occupational exposure to tuberculosis; proposed rule. 62 Fed Reg 54,159-54,307 (Oct. 17, 1997).