N95 Testing

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requires anyone who wears respiratory protection for work to undergo routine N95 testing. At Advance Telemedicine, based in Orange, Connecticut, the team of board-certified primary care providers offers N95 testing to adults in various industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, and chemical production. Call Advance Telemedicine to schedule N95 testing or book your appointment online today. 

What is N95 testing?

N95 testing, or respirator fit testing, is an outpatient test used to determine the type of respirator (or face mask) that will best protect you at work. 

If you must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) at work, your facemask must fit properly. If it doesn’t, you might come into contact with hazardous substances or chemicals that increase your risk of health problems. 

Why is N95 testing important?

N95 testing protects you, your coworkers, and patients (if you work in a health care setting) from potentially harmful substances like germs and particulates. Respirators, like N95 masks, come in various sizes. 

Each model and brand is different, so while one design might fit perfectly, another might be too loose or too big. 

How do I prepare for N95 testing?

To ensure test accuracy, avoid eating, drinking, smoking, and chewing gum at least 15 minutes before your N95 testing appointment. 

Your employer will provide you with OSHA’s medical evaluation questionnaire. Fill this document out and bring it to your test. Likewise, bring the N95 mask you wear at work to your appointment.

What happens during N95 testing?

When you arrive at the office, your Advance Telemedicine places a lightweight hood over your head.

Once the hood is in position, your provider sprays a solution into it and asks if you can taste or smell it. This ensures your nose is functioning properly and that you can detect smells. If you can smell the solution, your provider removes the hood and has you put on your N95 mask.

Once your N95 is in position, your provider puts the hood back on. They spray the same solution into the hood and ask if you can taste or smell it again. 

During the test, your provider asks you to breathe normally and deeply. They have you turn your head from side to side and up and down. They also ask you to speak.

If you don’t smell or taste the solution during any of these activities, you pass the fit test. However, if you do detect it, it means your N95 doesn’t fit properly. Your provider either adjusts the respirator or provides you with a different one until the test is complete. 

Afterward, your provider signs off on the OSHA document, which you submit to your employer. 

Call Advance Telemedicine to schedule N95 testing, or book your appointment online today.