Filtering out Confusion: Frequently Asked Questions about Respiratory Protection, Fit Testing

April 2018
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2018-129
Image of cover page for publication 2018-129

Over 3 million United States employees, in approximately 1.3 million workplaces, are required to wear respiratory protection. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (29 CFR 1910.134) requires an annual respirator fit test to confirm the fit of any respirator that forms a tight seal on the wearer’s face before it is used in the workplace. This ensures that users are receiving the expected level of protection by minimizing any contaminant leakage into the facepiece. The following are some frequently asked questions about respiratory protection and fit testing.

Filtering out Confusion: Frequently Asked Questions about Respiratory Protection, Fit Testing pdf icon[PDF – 569 KB]

Suggested Citation

NIOSH [2018]. Filtering out Confusion: Frequently Asked Questions about Respiratory Protection, Fit Testing. By Krah J., Shamblin M., and Shaffer R. Pittsburgh, PA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 2018–129, https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2018129external icon

Page last reviewed: April 6, 2018