OSHA says that an estimated 5 million workers are required to wear respirators in 1.3 million workplaces throughout the United States. Respirators protect workers against insufficient oxygen environments, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays. These hazards may cause cancer, lung impairment, other diseases, or death.

To keep out harmful vapors, gases, and particulates, respirators must fit properly. In order to ensure proper fit, OSHA requires fit testing before initial use and annually thereafter for all respirators that rely on a mask-to-face seal. Fit testing is the best way to make sure that the selected respirator properly fits the user’s face and provides maximum protection from airborne contaminants.

In order to assist in your respirator fit testing program and to help employees get a comfortable safe fit for the respirators they use, supervisors who super- vise employees who wear respirators should be trained to understand the requirements and procedures of OSHA’s fit testing rules.