You Speak, We Listen and Provide our Expertise
We strive to provide superior customer service by working with Safety Administrators or individuals to maintain their OSHA required medical evaluations and respirator fit tests. GKS Fit Test follows OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard 29.CFR 1910.134 guidelines which ensure the worker has the correct make, model and size respirator to provide a proper seal to their face.
In addition to respirator fit tests, we are able to provide Spirometry tests, which can be incorporated as part of a Company’s Medical Surveillance protocol.
We travel Nationwide to provide Qualitative and Quantitative fit tests for N95, half and full face masks. We also offer “Train the Tester” classes which will teach a dedicated person from your company to perform the initial and annual Qualitative fit tests if that is a preferred choice.
On-Line Medical Evaluations
Before wearing a respirator, employees must be evaluated to ensure they are medically cleared by filling out an OSHA approved questionnaire. We provide on-line medical evaluations that comply with OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134. If you are an administrator that is qualified to perform fit tests and just need a medical evaluation, or an individual/employee, we can still help you! Our on-line medical evaluations are easy to fill out and results are typically received within minutes.
Along with the on-line medical evaluations, we maintain your records on a HIPPA compliant site and provide you with a portal so they are always available to you 24/7/365! This is a huge advantage to smaller companies that don’t have HIPPA secure storage . This service is included in the price of a medical evaluation. If you are using GKS Fit Test for on-site respirator fit testing, that fit information is also stored on the same portal, right next to the employees medical evaluation so the information is just a step away.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT medical evaluations will ensure that your applicant will meet the medical standards to wear a respirator before they are hired! This could save costly expenses of the hiring process that would be spent if you waited until after you hired an employee, only to find out they are not medically qualified to wear a respirator that is required for their position.
Qualitative Test
Our Qualitative test uses 3M products and will test N95 and half face masks. We follow State specific guidelines to ensure you are meeting all of the standards required for your industry. This test is a pass/fail method that uses your sense of taste or your reaction to an irritant in order to detect leakage into the respirator facepiece. It DOES NOT measure the actual amount of leakage.
Quantitative Test
We use PortaCount equipment to accurately test by measuring the concentration of microscopic dust particles in the ambient air and then measuring the concentration of those dust particles that leak into the respirator. This test is required for full face masks but can also be used to test half face masks and N95 masks. Because it is not dependent on the input of the wearer of the mask, it is more accurate and can document the actual particle numbers.
Spirometry Test
Health surveillance in the workplace exists for several reasons and is valuable for both the employer and employee. For the employer it helps to keep the workforce healthy, reduces absenteeism and can result in increased productivity. We can provide Spirometry tests along with respiratory fit tests or independently. Spirometry tests can highlight whether an employee is showing a specific pattern of respiratory impairment that requires further investigation.
Train The Tester
If you’re a DIY, this class is for you! We teach you how to perform the Qualitative test so you can complete initial and annual testing for your own company. This includes an on-line, live class explaining the step by step requirements for a fit test. After the class, we are always a call away for any questions you may have. We will still provide access to the medical evaluations for each of your employees tested.
What is the benefit of having an on-site respiratory fit test vs walk-in testing?
OSHA requires the employee be allowed to take the respirator fit test during normal working hours. This could mean the employee is absent for many hours of their work day. Having an on-site respiratory fit test session would allow the employee to take the test at a location within the workplace, and only be absent for a short period of time.
Why is a fit test needed?
A respirator can't protect you if it doesn't fit your face. It's that simple. Certain respirators, known as tight-fitting respirators, must form a tight seal with your face or neck to work properly. If your respirator doesn't fit your face properly, contaminated air can leak into your respirator facepiece, and you could breathe in hazardous substances. So before you wear a tight-fitting respirator at work, your employer must be sure that your respirator fits you. Your employer does this by performing a fit test on you while you wear the same make, model, and size of respirator that you will be using on the job. That way, you know that your respirator fits you properly and can protect you, as long as you use it correctly.
Who is responsible for meeting the fit test requirements?
OSHA requires the employer to develop and implement a written respiratory protection program with required work-site specific procedures and elements for required respirator use. This includes the need for fit testing each employee that wears a respirator with an initial test and then at least annually thereafter.
Are Medical Evaluations required?
YES! The employer shall provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee’s ability to use a respirator, before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace. The medical evaluation uses a questionnaire to determine if the employee is able to wear a mask. GKS Fit Test provides this questionnaire with every on-site fit test that is scheduled. We have an on-line review process that will quickly determine if the employee has passed or failed the evaluation and will need further examination before the fit test can be completed.
How often are fit tests required?
In addition to fit testing upon initially selecting a model of respirator, OSHA requires that fit testing be conducted annually, and repeated “whenever an employee reports, or the employer or physician or other licensed health care professional makes visual observations of changes in the employee’s physical condition that could affect respirator fit (e.g. fascial scarring, dental changes, cosmetic surgery, or an obvious change in body weight).
(Occupational Safety and Health Administration) (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
We are only a call away!
Lets talk! We would love to speak with you about your company and respirator fit test needs. We will go out of our way to accommodate a time and day that would be best for your busy schedule! Please feel free to give us a phone call or send us an email by filling out this form. Thank you for your time!