Respirator Fit Testing
Environmental Health & Safety offers respirator fit testing for any individual affiliated with the George Washington University (students, faculty, staff, etc.) whose role requires them to wear a NIOSH-approved respirator or facepiece.
Sign up for respirator fit testing
Description
To ensure any individual required to wear a respirator (such as an N95 mask) is wearing it appropriately, securely, and safely. This includes affirming a proper seal between the respirator's facepiece and the wearer's face so as to prevent contaminated air or hazardous substances from penetrating the respirator and being inhaled.
Duration
1.0 hours for every 10 participants.
Fit Testing Requirements
Before attending respirator fit testing, participants must do the following:
- Obtain a NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health) approved respirator and ensure you have it with you for your fit testing. This should be provided by your department or school.
- Do not eat or drink 30 minutes prior to your scheduled fit test.
- Ensure any facial hair does not exceed 1/8th of an inch and does not grow past the chin. Facial hair worn below the chin can creat an improper seal, which enables potentially contaminated air or hazardous substances to penetrate the mask and be inhaled.
- If you have hair that is shoulder length or longer it is recommended you bring a hair fastener; such as a hair tie (elastic, scrunchie, etc.). This allows for a better fit of the respirator's elastic straps around and behind the head.
Respirators We Fit Test
- Makrite 9500, size small or regular
- 3M 1860, size small or regular
- 3M 8200, size regular
- 3M VFlex, size small or regular
- Kimberly Clark, size small or regular
- Moldex 2200, size regular
Registration
To register for fit testing, please fill out our
Frequently Asked Questions
- Am I responsible for providing my own respirator?
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Yes. Any department mandatingthat students, faculty, staff, etc. must provide those individuals with the appropriate respirator, per OSHA regulations. Reach out to your lab manager, instructor, Principal Investigator, or Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) for assistance.
- What type of respirator is required?
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Your mask must be a NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health) approved respirator. The N95 nomenclature (a popular respirator distributed among GW labs) indicates the respirator filters at least 95% of airborn particles. Below is a list of the respirators we fit test:
- Makrite 9500, size small or regular
- 3M 1860, size small or regular
- 3M 8200, size regular
- 3M VFlex, size small or regular
- Kimberly Clark, size small or regular
- Moldex 2200, size regular
- What if I have questions about my respirator's legitimacy?
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Check to see if your mask:
- Displays "NIOSH" or the NIOSH logo.
If you still have questions as to your mask's legitimacy, reach out to your Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) or email our Environmental Health & Safety team at: [email protected].
- Can I show up at any time during the Fit Testing window?
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No. Fit testing is a qualitative and quantitative process involving multiple test methods. As such, the scheduled time frame is necessary to complete everything required to ensure the respirator fits appropriately, securely, and safely.
- Why must facial hair not exceed 1/8th of an inch, and not grow below the chin?
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Facial hair worn below the chin can creat an improper seal. An improper seal allows for potentially contaminated air or hazardous substances to penetrate the mask and be inhaled.
- What if I do not wish to adhere to the clean-shaven guidelines for religious reasons?
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Individuals requesting an exemption to the clean-shaven guidelines must submit a waiver and complete additional training in a Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR). Please reach out to your lab manager, instructor, Principal Investigator, or Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) for additional information.
For more information, please contact Environmental Health & Safety:
- Phone: 202-994-4347
- Email: [email protected]