Respiratory Protection Program Irritant Smoke Fit Testing Protocol Training

1. Respiratory Protection Program Irritant Smoke Fit Testing Protocol Training BNSF/IH November 2006

2. Irritant Smoke Fit Testing The irritant smoke fit testing protocol: • Is a qualitative respirator fit testing (QLFT) method; • Is a “Pass/Fail” test that relies on the ability of the respirator wearer to sense the test agent • Utilizes an irritant smoke test agent (stannic chloride) • Unlike the other three OSHA-approved QLFT protocols, which are all taste detection methods, irritant smoke fit testing relies on an involuntary irritation response by the wearer, to determine if a good seal is not being achieved. BNSF/IH November 2006

3. Irritant Smoke Protocol Applicability The Irritant smoke testing protocol can be used for the following types of respirators: • Air purifying, elastomeric facepiece half mask respirators • Air purifying, elastomeric facepiece full face respirators • The only BNSF-approved filtering facepiece half mask (3M #8233) • Powered air purifying respirators BNSF/IH November 2006

4. Fit Testing Requirements Fit testing is required for all respirator users except: • Voluntary users who will be wearing a filtering facepiece half mask (3M Model 8233) Voluntary users who have selected any other BNSF approved respirator must be fit tested and must comply with all other program requirements. Prior to fit testing, check for the following: • The wearer must have completed a medical questionnaire and be medically approved • The wearer must have been trained on the uses, limitations and maintenance of the respirator • The wearer must not have any facial hair which interferes with the respirator-to-face seal BNSF/IH November 2006

5. Irritant Smoke Fit Testing To reiterate…… • Ensure employee has no facial hair that interferes with the respirator to face sealing area. This could be a beard, mustache or facial hair “stubble” growth of more than one day. • The presence of facial hair can significantly degrade the assigned protection factor of the respirator. The prohibition on facial hair in the seal area is intended to ensure that wearers are maximally protected by the style of respirator selected. NO! NO! NO! BNSF/IH November 2006

6. Irritant Smoke Fit Testing Supplies You Will Need • Qualified employee with respirator & cartridges, or filtering facepiece (3M Model 8233) respirator • Fit Test Kit from available through SourceNet • Irritant Smoke Tubes • Fit Test Forms BNSF/IH November 2006

7. Irritant Smoke Fit Testing Basic Fit Testing Preparation and Testing Steps: • Selection of fit testing location – the location should be well ventilated • Procurement and preparation of fit testing equipment • Sensitivity screening to to assure that test subject can detect the irritant smoke • Inspection of respirator by test subject • Test subject donning of respirator and subsequent fit checks • Fit testing with test subject performing test exercises • If fit successful, repeat sensitivity screening • If unsuccessful, select different size, mfr., model and repeat test BNSF/IH November 2006

8. Irritant Smoke Fit Testing The employee should inspect the respirator prior to use BNSF/IH November 2006

9. Irritant Smoke Fit Testing Points of inspection should include: Pre-donning: All respirator components present and in good condition Elastomeric respirators: Use P100 cartridges Post-donning: • Chin properly placed • Adequate strap tension, but not over-tightened • Fit across bridge of nose • Respirator of proper size to span distance from nose to chin • Tendency of respirator to slip • Self observation in mirror to evaluate fit and respirator position BNSF/IH November 2006

10. Irritant Smoke Fit Testing Prepare the fit testing equipment • Using a tube breaker, break both ends of the smoke tube • Couple the tube to the aspirator squeeze bulb • Cover the terminal end of the tube with a short length of tubing to prevent potential injury from the jagged edge of the tube. BNSF/IH November 2006

11. Irritant Smoke Fit Testing Important Precautions…. Since the smoke can be irritating to the eyes, lungs and nasal passages, the person conducting the test should take precautions to minimize the test subject’s exposure to irritant smoke. The test subject should be advised to keep his/her eyes closed during fit testing Use only the minimum amount of smoke necessary to elicit a response from the test subject! BNSF/IH November 2006

12. Irritant Smoke Fit Testing Have the employee put on respirator and adjust for comfort and seal. Elastomeric, half mask, air purifying respirator BNSF/IH November 2006

13. Irritant Smoke Fit Testing Have the employee put on respirator and adjust for comfort and seal. Filtering facepiece, half mask, air purifying respirator BNSF/IH November 2006

14. Irritant Smoke Fit Test Have employee put on respirator and adjust for comfort and seal. If the model to be fit tested is a filtering facepiece half mask, make sure that the wearer adjusts the nose bridge fit by molding the aluminum nose fitting to contour to the test subject’s nose bridge BNSF/IH November 2006

15. Irritant Smoke Fit Testing Properly fitted filtering facepiece respirator BNSF/IH November 2006

16. For PAPR models… Full face mask w/PAPR must be fit tested as a negative pressure respirator, e.g. with cartridges attached to the facepiece BNSF/IH November 2006

17. Irritant Smoke Fit Testing User should first perform fit checks Positive pressure check Negative pressure check Elastomeric Half Mask Air Purifying Respirator BNSF/IH November 2006

18. Irritant Smoke Fit Testing Fit Check For the 3M 8233: Place both hands over the respirator and inhale sharply. The respirator should collapse slightly 3M 8233 Filtering Facepiece Half Mask Air Purifying Respirator BNSF/IH November 2006

19. Irritant Smoke Fit Testing • Step 1: Test Subject Sensitivity Screening • Advise the test subject that the smoke can be irritating to the eyes, lungs, and nasal passages • Instruct the test subject to keep his/her eyes closed during the test. • Carefully direct a small amount of the irritant smoke in the test subject’s direction to determine that he/she can detect it. BNSF/IH November 2006

20. Irritant Smoke Fit Testing • Step 2: Fit Test • Remind the test subject to keep his/her eyes closed! • Test operator should direct a stream of irritant smoke from the tube toward the faceseal area of the test subject, using the squeeze bulb. • Begin at least 12 inches from the facepiece and move the smoke stream around the whole perimeter of the mask. • Gradually make two passes around the perimeter of the mask, moving to within 6 inches of the respirator. Instruct the test subject to keep his/her eyes closed during the test. • Carefully direct a small amount of the irritant smoke in the test subject’s direction to determine that he/she can detect it. BNSF/IH November 2006

21. Required Test Exercises Step 3: If the test subject has not had an involuntary response or detected the irritant smoke proceed with test exercises below. When a successful fit has been achieved, the final step is to repeat the sensitivity screening with the respirator removed. BNSF/IH November 2006

22. Irritant Smoke Fit Testing Some Final Points……. If the respirator cannot be successfully fit on the wearer, a different size or model should be selected and the fit testing procedure repeated. If the employee exhibits difficulty in breathing during the tests, he or she should be referred to the BNSF Medical Department for follow-up. Although not illustrated in the photos within this training program (for clarity), the test subject should be fit tested with any additional safety equipment normally worn, i.e. safety glasses, etc. BNSF/IH November 2006

23. Irritant Smoke Fit Testing A successful fit achieved! BNSF/IH November 2006