Respiratory Protection and Fit Testing for San Diego Dentists and Medical Professionals

RESPIRATOR FIT TESTING FOR HEALTHCARE

Cal/OSHA compliant respirator fit testing, medical evaluations, and respirator user training for San Diego dental and medical professionals.

Fit testing is only one part of the Cal/OSHA requirement when employees need to wear a respirator (including "N95 masks") at work. Additional requirements are explained below, and it is important to understand them before you begin implementing a respirator program. We respectfully decline to do fit testing for any potential client that is not interested in meeting these other requirements.

OVERVIEW

Safewest specializes in onsite respirator fit testing for businesses, including dental and medical offices. We serve all areas of San Diego County, and come to your location to provide Cal/OSHA compliant respirator fit testing for your employees. We have the training and equipment to fit test all respirator types, including "N95" filtering facepieces. We can also help offices transition to reusable half face "elastomeric" respirators.

If your employees need to wear a respirator, Cal/OSHA's workplace safety regulations require the following:

A written respiratory protection program outlining the steps the employer is taking to keep employees safe.
Medical approval for each employee to wear a respirator at work.
Employee training on how to use a respirator correctly, limitations, care/maintenance.
A fit test on each specific make, model and size of mask that will be worn at work.

We have services to help you meet all these regulatory requirements and keep your employees safer at work.

SERVICES AND PRICING

Fit Testing

Onsite qualitative (QNFT) respirator fit testing on client-provided respirators. We conduct these fit tests using a TSI Portacount machine that quickly and accurately measures respirator fit, without relying on subjective "taste" chemicals spayed into a hood. Cal OSHA T8 §5144(f) & Fed OSHA 29CFR 1910.134(f) compliant.

$85/person. A minimum charge/number of persons will apply, and varies by location.

Discount pricing is available for groups of > 10 persons.

User Training

Instructor-led respirator user training on the capabilities and limitations of air-purifying respirators, proper fit/usage, how to recognize problems with respirator use, proper pre-use inspections and donning of a respirator, and general replacement, maintenance, responsible reuse, and storage guidelines. Cal OSHA T8 §5144(k) & Fed OSHA 29CFR 1910.134(k) compliant.

$35/person.

Medical Evaluations

Questionnaire review by physician or other licensed health care professional (PLHCP) as necessary, and written respirator use approval signed by physician. Submitted securely via our online portal, eliminating the hassle and confidentiality issues of using paper forms. Cal OSHA T8 §5144(e) & Fed OSHA 29CFR 1910.134(e) compliant.

$35/person.

Written Programs

We can assist in developing a written respirator program, or provide review and editing of the program you have written or created from a template.
Contact us for a quote.

QUALIFICATIONS

Safewest's onsite respiratory protection services have been trusted by employers big and small throughout San Diego for over a decade. We have provided respiratory protection services for a number of fire departments, police departments, healthcare clinics, public utilities, and remediation workers serving high-risk roles in our community during this pandemic. Safewest has a demonstrated record in helping these employers with effective respiratory protection, and utilizes the proper infection control measures to provide these services safely.

Onsite fit testing is provided by Carlo Emami, a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST), and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). His areas of expertise are development and implementation of emergency response and respiratory protection safety programs. He has a master’s degree in public policy from SDSU, where he specialized in the analysis of OSHA regulations. Mr. Emami has completed the OSHA 2225 Respiratory Protection course, which is the only Department of Labor authorized respiratory protection training course.

Best practices for infection control during onsite training and fit testing are continually evolving. We maintain an updated summary of our safety measures at https://www.safewest.com/covid-precautions

SCHEDULING

Contact us for current availability. We understand healthcare is not a 9-5 business, and always work to accommodate early morning, evening, and weekend appointments.

FREQUENT QUESTIONS

I need a fit test for myself only, where can I go?

Unfortunately we only provide fit testing for businesses with groups of employees. Try searching for an occupational health clinic in your area, as they are more likely to offer services at a location a single person can go to.

Do we have to do the medical questionnaire and training, what if we just want a fit test?

If you are obtaining medical approvals and/or training from another resource, and only require fit testing, we are glad to help. However, we would need to quickly verify you are providing the other required elements effectively. The medical questionnaire and training are longstanding Cal/OSHA requirements for respirator use, and important to implementing your program successfully and safely, and minimizing liability for both the employer and the fit test provider.

Do you fit test respiratory protection masks that are not NIOSH approved, such as KN95 masks, or 3D printed frames?

Yes. We will use an OSHA-compliant protocol to fit test these masks. Be advised that these types of masks are not approved respirators under OSHA regulations. However, we think they are a viable and innovative alternative for employee protection due to inventory shortages of approved respirator types.

I got a quote from another vendor that was much cheaper/more expensive. Why?

There is no regulation or licensing of fit testing providers, no formal training or education requirements, and the equipment for qualitative fit tests is not very expensive. With any field that's unregulated, with a low barrier to entry, it is common to see a very wide range of prices. We recommend doing your due diligence, evaluating qualifications for a few vendors (including specifically asking the qualifications of the person that will be onsite providing fit testing and training), and considering which provides the best value.

Do you offer fit testing outside of San Diego?
Yes, schedule permitting, we service Riverside, Imperial, and Orange Counties, but with higher minimum charges (minimum 10 persons) and additional travel costs. If you are in these other counties, you may be better served by a more local provider, especially if you have a smaller office.