The N95 Respirator Is a Professional-Grade Mask That Employers Need to Fit Test to the Individual Worker

The difference between the N95 Respirator (Mask) and a surgical/procedure mask is the latter is not a respirator. The N95 is a professional-grade mask that needs to be fitted to the individual person and changed frequently. 

Authorities maintain the best approach for individuals to stay healthy is by thoroughly washing your hands and avoiding touching your hands to your eyes and mouth.

For front-line health-care staff dealing with infected patients a fit tested N95 mask will offer protection against virulent strains.

Surgical Masks

According to Dr. Charles Frenette, medical director of infection control at the MUHC, the surgical/procedure mask protects the nose and mouth from “droplets precautions,” such as sprays or splashes. “Medical workers caring for people who have respiratory tract infractions like influenza or the rhinovirus employ “droplet precautions” like wearing a surgical mask, gloves, eye protection and a gown,” he affirmed.

“For more virulent strains, like chickenpox, measles, tuberculosis, ebola and the new coronavirus, workers must wear the N95 mask, which provides more coverage and has a better filter,” The Montreal Gazette Reported.

N95 Mask (Respirator)

An N95 NIOSH-approved mask (respirator) protects the employee from inhaling airborne hazards. The mask gets its name because it filters out 95 per cent of airborne particles greater than 0.3 microns in size. A correctly fitted N95 mask will offer protection against the new coronavirus.

Mark Loeb, an infectious disease specialist at McMaster University in Hamilton said, “Studies done during the SARS epidemic of 2003 found that for medical professionals, wearing any type of mask compared with none can reduce chances of getting sick by about 80 per cent.”

Before Using the N95

Before a worker can use the N95 mask, they must pass the appropriate fit testing to determine if a particular size and model of respirator (mask) provides an acceptable fit and seal to their face.

The N95 mask (respirator) needs to be fitted to the individual person every 2 years as per the new CSA Standards or annually as per the Quebec Act respecting occupational health and safety (Regulation respecting occupational health and safety).

Are employers required to perform fit testing for each employee annually or every two years?
The new CSA Standards state every 2 years, the current Quebec regulation states annually.

The Canadian Standard Association (CSA) sets the specifications for the proper selection, use, respiratory protection program, and care of respiratory protective devices such as the N95 mask.

Per the new CSA Standard published in 2018, a new fit test is required every two years.

However, in Quebec, the regulation Act respecting occupational health and safety (Article 45) updated November 01 2019, maintains the old CSA Standard Z94.4-93, which requires annual fit testing.

On the CNESST website the annual mandatory fit testing is maintained, “Ces essais doivent être répétés annuellement…

Fit Testing

Apart from mandatory testing above, employers are required to retest employees who lose or gain a significant amount of weight, had an injury to the face, dental changes or changes to the respirator models.

Tests are normally carried out by the Occupational Health and Safety department. The employer must maintain a registry of the fit testing results and is obliged to provide the updated registry to the unions upon request.

Two testing methods exist, quantitative, which uses the Portacount Machine to measure the infiltration or qualitative where the user uses their senses to detect the infiltration.

An N95 NIOSH-approved mask filters out 95 per cent of airborne particles greater than 0.3 microns in size. A properly fitted N95 mask will offer protection against the new coronavirus.

Employers must ensure the required personal protective equipment (PPE) such as the N95 mask:

• Meets the applicable standards
• Fit testing according to the laws and regulations
• Is properly stored
• Replaced frequently
• Is in proper operating order
• Adequately train the staff on its use
• Ensure staff uses the appropriate PPE (N95 Mask)

For the fit test, employees must be clean-shaven, where the mask seals to the face as per the CSA Standard. However, Human rights laws require employers to accommodate their employees’ religious beliefs

If your job requires the use of the N95 mask and you are uncertain of when you were last tested, or if you were never fit tested you need to contact OHS or your local union office.