RESP-FIT

Air-Met Scientific is a proud supporter of RESP-FIT

Air-Met Scientific is a proud supporter of the RESP-FIT Fit Testing Training and Accreditation Program. An advocate for occupational health and safety initiatives for more than 36 years, Air-Met Scientific is excited to support a program that ensures the correct protocol and steps are taken to validate a reliable fit test for the health and safety of workers.

Who is RESP-FIT?

Developed by the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH), RESP-FIT is a national respirator protective equipment (RPE) fit testing training and accreditation program developed to improve the competency of fit testers against both the Australian and international ISO respirator standards for fit testing and in turn improve worker health protection of those wearing tight fitting RPE. RESP-Fit’s goal is to protect worker’s health by ensuring respirators fit the user correctly to prevent exposure to contaminated air.

What is fit testing and why was RESP-FIT Respirator Fit-Testing Program was developed?

A respirator fit test is a method for checking that a tight-fitting facepiece matches the person’s facial features to ensure an adequate fit and seal to provide the intended level of protection. It also helps to identify unsuitable or faulty facepieces. A good RPE fit test is required to protect workers who wear tight-fitting respiratory protective equipment. RESP-FIT is a national respiratory protective equipment fit testing and accreditation program. It is developed by the AIOH (Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists) through the collaboration of many industry stakeholders to improve the competency of fit testers against both the Australian and international ISO respirator standards for fit testing.

What is fit testing and why was RESP-FIT Respirator Fit-Testing Program was developed?

A respirator fit test is a method for checking that a tight-fitting facepiece matches the person’s facial features to ensure an adequate fit and seal to provide the intended level of protection. It also helps to identify unsuitable or faulty facepieces. A good RPE fit test is required to protect workers who wear tight-fitting respiratory protective equipment. RESP-FIT is a national respiratory protective equipment fit testing and accreditation program. It is developed by the AIOH (Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists) through the collaboration of many industry stakeholders to improve the competency of fit testers against both the Australian and international ISO respirator standards for fit testing.

What does the RESP-FIT program do

RESP-FIT operates on an NFP basis to provide an accreditation process for fit testers to demonstrate their competence, create a standardised training syllabus based on AS/ANZ 1715 and ISO 16975-3 to improve fit tester knowledge, and provide a directory of accredited respirator fit testers and trainers. RES-FIT conducts a training and accreditation program to provide detailed guidance on the knowledge and practical skills of performing a fit testing competency test. The Accreditation assessment is usually undertaken by an occupational hygienist, safety professional, an internal person with the appropriate training, or an external fit testing service provider.

RESP-FIT covers a range of fit test methodologies including:

• Qualitative (QLFT) – Aerosol Taste Test (ATT)
• Quantitative (QNFT)- Ambient aerosol condensation nuclei-counting (CNC)
• Quantitative (QNFT) – Controlled Negative Pressure (CNP).

Air-Met Scientific offers a range of fit-testers for sale or hire that utilises a methodology as covered by the RESP-FIT Training and Accreditation Program such as the OHD QuantiFit 2 Fit Tester and the TSI Portacount.

Where can I get more information about work health and safety in Australia?

There is a range of work health and safety resources available through national and state-based regulators such as Safe Work Australia, Worksafe and Comcare.

• SafeWork Australia
• SafeWork NSW
• WorkSafe Queensland
• WorkSafe Victoria
• WorkSafe ACT
• SafeWork SA
• NT WorkSafe
• WorkSafe WA
• WorkSafe Tasmania
• Comcare

While workers should never solely rely on RPE to protect workers from contaminated air, the use of correctly fitted respirators is a vital step towards protecting workers against exposure.

For more information about the RESP-FIT Respirator Fit Testing and Accreditation Program, visit https://respfit.org.au/