Fit Testing Sydney. On-Site Respirator & Mask Fit Testing

Need fit testing in Sydney without sending your workers away from site?

Onsite Medicals provides mobile, on-site respirator fit testing for workplaces across Sydney and throughout NSW. We come directly to your workplace, making it easier to fit test your team with minimal disruption to your working day.

We provide quantitative respirator fit testing for tight-fitting respiratory protective equipment (RPE), including P2/N95 respirators, P3 respirators, half-face and full-face respirators.

Need affordable fit testing for a team? Our on-site service can be a convenient and cost-effective option when multiple workers require testing.

Book on-site fit testing today or request a quote for your workplace.

What is fit testing?

Fit testing checks whether a tight-fitting respirator forms an effective seal around an individual worker's face.

A respirator can only provide its intended level of protection when it fits the wearer correctly. A poor seal can allow contaminated air to enter around the edges of the respirator.

Fit testing is different from a routine fit check. A fit check is performed by the wearer each time the respirator is put on, while a fit test is a formal assessment of whether the particular respirator fits the individual.

For workplaces where respiratory protective equipment is required, fit testing forms an important part of an effective respiratory protection program.

SafeWork NSW identifies fit testing as a requirement for tight-fitting respiratory protective equipment and recognises both qualitative and quantitative fit-testing methods under AS/NZS 1715:2009.

Quantitative Fit Testing

We use quantitative fit testing with a Portacount 8048 unit to objectively and accurately measure the fit of the respirator. Unlike qualitative fit testing, which relies on the wearer detecting a test substance, quantitative fit testing uses specialised equipment to measure leakage and produces a numerical result. SafeWork NSW describes quantitative fit testing as a method that measures how much air leaks into the respirator and notes that it can be used for both half-face and full-face respirators Quantitative testing is particularly useful for workplaces that require objective fit-testing results and documented respiratory protection records.

Who Needs Respirator Fit Testing?

Fit testing is relevant to workers who use tight-fitting respiratory protective equipment to protect themselves from airborne contaminants .

This can include workers in:

Construction & Civil > Workers who may be exposed to respirable dust, including silica-containing dust, during construction, demolition, cutting, grinding, drilling and other high-dust activities.

Healthcare > Healthcare workers and students who are required to wear P2/N95 respirators as part of infection prevention and respiratory protection programs.

NSW Health guidance states that fit testing assesses the quality of a health worker's respirator seal.

Manufacturing > Workers using respirators where exposure to dust, fumes, particles or other airborne contaminants requires respiratory protection.

Maintenance & Trades > Electricians, mechanics, maintenance workers, technicians and other tradespeople who may require tight-fitting respiratory protection.

Government & Local Council > Council and government workers whose duties require respiratory protective equipment.

Education & Student Placement > Students undertaking healthcare, medical, dental or other placements where a particular respirator is required.

Fit Testing for Silica & Asbestos Dust Exposure

Respirator fit testing is particularly important where workers rely on tight-fitting RPE as part of controls for airborne contaminants.

This can include work involving:

• Crystalline silica

• Concrete and masonry dust

• Cutting and grinding

• Drilling

• Demolition

• Remediation work

• Construction dust

• Other respirable particulates

Fit testing should form part of a broader respiratory protection program rather than being treated as a replacement for other controls. Where hazardous airborne contaminants are present, workplaces should follow the relevant risk assessment, control measures and NSW WHS requirements.

How Does a Respirator Fit Test Work?

Our respirator fit test process is straightforward.

1. Select the respirator

The worker brings the respirator they are required to use at work.

2. Check the fit

The worker puts on the respirator and adjusts it correctly.

A proper seal is essential. Workers must be clean shaven where facial hair would interfere with the sealing surface of a tight-fitting respirator. SafeWork NSW specifically notes that facial hair between the face and fitting surfaces can prevent a good seal.

3. Complete the fit test

The worker performs a series of movements and breathing exercises while the quantitative fit test is conducted.

4. Receive the result

The test determines whether the respirator achieves the required fit for that individual. Results can then be retained as part of the workplace's respiratory protection and compliance records.

How Long Does Fit Testing Take?

A typical individual fit test takes approximately 15–20 minutes, depending on the respirator, the worker and whether additional respirators need to be assessed. For larger groups, we organise the testing schedule so workers can be tested efficiently at the workplace. If you have a large workforce, contact us for an on-site fit testing quote based on your number of workers and location.

When Should Workers Have a Fit Test?

Fit testing should be completed before a worker uses a tight-fitting respirator where fit testing is required. Testing should also be considered again when a change could affect the seal or suitability of the respirator, including changes to the respirator type, model or size, or changes to the wearer's face. The appropriate frequency should be determined by your respiratory protection program, risk assessment and applicable requirements. For specific NSW workplace requirements, refer to the relevant SafeWork NSW guidance and AS/NZS 1715.

What Happens If a Worker Fails a Fit Test?

A failed fit test means the respirator did not achieve the required fit for that worker.

This doesn't necessarily mean the worker cannot use respiratory protection.

We can help identify whether the issue relates to:

• Respirator size

• Respirator model

• Positioning

• Adjustment

• Facial hair

• Compatibility with other PPE

Where appropriate, another suitable respirator can be tested.

The objective is to identify a respirator that provides an effective fit for the individual worker.

Affordable Fit Testing for Your Workplace

If you are looking for affordable fit testing, it's worth considering the total cost of sending individual employees to appointments. With mobile fit testing, we come to your workplace and test multiple workers during the same visit.

This can help reduce:

• Employee travel time

• Time away from the workplace

• Multiple individual appointments

• Scheduling and administration

• Workplace disruption

We offer competitive half day and full day rate rate pricing (offering tests from as little as $45 per test) for workplace fit testing and can provide a quote based on your location, if located outside of Sydney.

Onsite fit testing across Sydney & NSW

Why make your workers travel to a clinic when fit testing can come to you?

We provide fit testing services across a range of industries including:

• • Construction

  • Manufacturing

  • Civil works

  • Maintenance and trades

  • Government and council works

  • Health care workers

  • University Students on clinical or practical placements

  • Any workplace handling chemicals

We service Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and all regional locations throughout NSW.

For businesses with multiple workers requiring testing, on-site fit testing can reduce travel time, employee downtime and the administration involved in sending workers to different appointments.

Respirator fit testing

Our respirator fit testing service is designed for workers who use tight-fitting respiratory protective equipment as part of their work.

Depending on your workplace requirements, we can test respirators including:

• P2 and N95 disposable respirators

• P3 respirators

• Half-face respirators

• Full-face respirators

• SCBA

The respirator being tested should be the type, make and model that the worker is expected to use for their job.

If a worker fails a fit test, the respirator may not be providing an adequate seal. The worker should not simply continue using an unsuitable respirator. The fit, size or model should be reviewed and another suitable respirator can be tested.

We service workplaces across areas including:

• Sydney CBD

• Western Sydney

• South Western Sydney

• South Sydney

• Northern Sydney

• North Western Sydney

• Eastern Suburbs

• Parramatta

• Penrith

• Liverpool

• Campbelltown

• Blacktown

• Newcastle

• Central Coast

• Wollongong

• Regional NSW - Mid West, South Coast Central tablelands, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie