Education Opportunities

On-line Lunch and Learn

DOH hosts monthly, 30-minute Lunch and Learn sessions on topics about the respiratory protection program (see the schedule below). Each session starts at 12 p.m. on Zoom.

Register for Lunch and Learn

Schedule

N95 Worker Training Requirements

12:00 p.m. on Zoom

Fit Tester Training Information

DOH created Fit Tester Training materials for you to use. These materials can assist you in learning how to do a valid qualitative fit test under Washington rules.

There is no required certification to become a fit tester. It is the employer’s responsibility to be sure that the fit testers provide valid fit tests.

The fit tester should have a good understanding of respirator use. This is so they can answer questions that the person may have during the fit test.

Regulations and Resources

Fit test trainees need to be familiar with the regulations, their facility’s written program and worker N95 User training, as well as supplies and other items listed below:

Specific WACs relating to fit testing:

WAC 296-842-14005 Provide medical evaluations.
WAC 296-842-15005 Conduct fit testing.
WAC 296-842-18005 Prevent sealing problems with tight-fitting respirators.
WAC 296-842-22010 Follow these fit-testing procedures for tight-fitting respirators.
WAC 296-842-22020 Follow procedures established for seal checking respirators.

The facility’s written Respirator Program (check with your facility) The facility’s N95 User training (check with your facility)

Donning/Doffing N95s

The Fit test trainee should be an expert or highly skilled in donning and doffing all types of N95 respirators in your facility:

If the trainee is not familiar with donning and doffing an N95, please visit our Resources page in the ‘Fit testing’ section.

Remember to always review the manufacturer’s instructions on how to don and doff the N95.

NOTE: If the trainee would like to be fit tested, the medical evaluation and respirator training will need to be done prior to fit testing.

Supplies and equipment needed for the fit test

Supplies and equipment and their purpose

Fit test Kit (bitter or sweet) - The fit test kit has all the equipment and solutions to perform a fit test. All items in the fit test kit can be purchased separately.
Mirror - To show the person how their respirator fits on their face and to look at the strap placement.
Gloves - To be used when sanitizing the hood/s and to keep the solutions off your hands, especially if you are fit testing a large number of people.
Clock with a sweep hand - Our recommendation is to use a clock with a sweep hand. Watching the sweep hand makes it easy to adjust your timing and it frees your hands.
Disinfectant wipes - The wipes should be unscented. Check the label on the container for the contact time. The longer the contact time for disinfecting, the longer between fit tests. Do not use wipes with bleach (bleach is a respiratory hazard).
Hand Sanitizer - The hand sanitizer is there for anyone to use.
Have more than one make/model of N95 - Some staff may not fit the N95s you provide. It helps to have other N95 models available for fit testing.
Napkins/paper towel - This is for the worker to moisten and wipe the solution off their lips after the sensitivity test, and if the seal of the N95 fails during the fit test. Residual solutions on the lips may cause a false failed fit test.
Water, with cups - After the sensitivity test, or if the N95 seal fails during the fit test, workers should rinse their mouth with plain water. The water will help get rid of the taste in their mouth. The solutions are non-toxic and can be swallowed. The worker will need to be rid of the taste in their mouth for the next step.
Blank Fit Test Records – You will need to complete a record for each fit test you perform.

DOH Fit Tester Training

DOH created training materials for you to use. These can assist you in learning how to do a valid qualitative fit test under Washington rules.

To benefit most from our training videos and modules, trainees should already know how respirators work, how to don and doff the N95, and understand their facility’s written respirator program. This knowledge base helps the fit tester better understand respiratory protection, and be able answer questions the worker may have during fit testing.

To learn how to do a fit test, you can watch the DOH fit testing videos (see the Videos section on our Resources page. We strongly encourage you to have a qualitative fit test kit to follow along with the videos. Here is a link to a document about fit test kits: Qualitative Fit Test Kit Options (PDF)

After Fit Tester Training

After completing the DOH Fit Tester Training, we recommend you practice first before you fit test someone.

Have someone evaluate you while you perform a fit test. Use this checklist to be sure you are doing it correctly: DOH - Evaluating the fit tester. (Also, you can use this checklist to evaluate yourself.)

NOTE: Remember there is no certification for learning how to conduct a fit test. Please use the checklist to validate your skill to conduct a fit test according to the rules and regulations.

Fit Tester Training videos

Watch the three videos listed below to learn how to do a respirator fit test:

Introduction to Fit Testing (9 minutes)
Equipment Overview (23 minutes)
Fit Testing (29 minutes)

We strongly encourage you to have a qualitative fit test kit to follow along with the videos. Here is a link to document about fit test kits: Qualitative Fit Test Kit Options (PDF)

After the videos

After watching the DOH Fit Tester Training videos, we recommend you practice first before fit testing someone.

Have someone evaluate you while you are performing a fit test. Use this checklist to be sure you are doing it correctly: DOH - Evaluating the fit tester . (Also, you can use this checklist to evaluate yourself.)