Fit Checking Guidance for Voluntary Use of a Respirator

Using a respirator makes your lungs and heart work harder. A medical evaluation is not required to voluntarily wear an N-95 respirator on the job. However, if you have a medical condition that might preclude the use of a respirator, you should consult with your physician.

To ensure respirators are providing the intended level of protection, they should be “fit checked” each and every time they are worn. To fit check a respirator, the wearer should forcefully inhale and exhale several times. The respirator should collapse slightly upon inhaling and expand upon exhaling. The wearer should not feel any air leaking between his/her face and the respirator. This is the sign of a good facial fit and a successful fit check.

If the respirator does not collapse and expand, OR if air is leaking out between the wearer's face and the respirator, then this is NOT a good facial fit. The wearer should adjust the respirator until the leakage is corrected and he/she is able to successfully fit check the respirator.

Note: Fit checking is NOT a substitute for fit testing. Fit checking is a simple procedure intended to help the wearer verify that he/she has properly donned the respirator. Fit testing is designed to determine the appropriate size respirator for each wearer.

Tips for Achieving a Good Fit

If the wearer is having a problem successfully fit checking the respirator, he/she should try the following tips:

1. Use a mirror while adjusting the respirator.
2. Ask someone to look for hair or earrings that might be caught in the seal.
3. Make sure the headbands are positioned properly. It is especially important that the top headband is on the crown of your head, as it is designed to hold the bottom of the respirator snug against your chin.

Note:  The respirator should be fit checked each and every time it is donned.

Employees may request an accommodation with regard to use of respirators by contacting the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.

Read OSHA's interpretation of the standard concerning facial hair:
2/06/2006 - Facial hair and voluntary use of filtering facepiece respirators.

An employer must provide the following information to any employee or volunteer who uses an employer-provided respirator voluntarily or provides his or her own respirator:
(Mandatory) Information for Employees Using Respirators When Not Required Under the Standard - Appendix D to Sec. 1910.134

This document provides general guidance only for employees covered by Title 5, United States Code, and does not, and is not intended to create or violate any legal rights.