Fit testing is just another way we can help to ensure that workers who are exposed to noise, dust or gas have adequate protection and can minimise their risk of health issues developing.

CS Health Regional Manager Belinda Mitchell said the fit testing services assess how well a worker’s personal protection equipment (PPE) fits.

“In the mining environment, personal protection equipment such as ear plugs and respirators are essential”, MS Mitchell said.

“If they don’t fit properly, then workers aren’t protected.”

Respirator fit testing is a mandatory requirement under Australian Standards and must be performed on all tight fitting respirators every 12 months.

The new, quantitative fit testing service assesses whether the respirator forms an adequate seal around the face.

The portacount machine used in the test detects and measures the amount of testing agent that leaks into the respirator without requiring a response from the worker.

Until recently, CS Health used a qualitative method that was based on the worker’s response to a testing agent, usually a bitter or sweet aerosol solution.

While this provided a quick method for evaluating fit, it was very subjective and results could be affected by, for example, what the worker had been eating or drinking prior to the test.

The portacount provides a more accurate evaluation.