Workplace Health Archives - Workplace Health & Safety | Occupational Hygiene | WHS | OH&S

Respirator Fit Testing

dinesh — Sun, 01 May 2022 08:06:36 +0000

Respirator Fit Testing

All tight-fitting respirators must be fit tested annually to ensure safety & comfort for the worker.

Respiratory protection is a vital control to make sure any airborne contaminants within the breathing zone of the worker do not enter the respiratory system. Poor respirator fit’s can allows airborne particles to enter the respiratory system and can lead to chronic disease. AusSafety have on-site respirator fit test solutions used by all industries across Australia. Contact us today!

Please note – At this time AusSafety can only perform individual Fit-Tests in South East Queensland

All tight-fitting respirators must be fit tested annually to ensure safety & comfort for the worker.

Please note – At this time AusSafety can only perform individual Fit-Tests in South East Queensland

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Now’s not a good time to chat? No worries. Provide some details about your enquiry and one of our experienced team will reach out at a time that suits you.

Our Approach to Respirator Fit Testing

Respirators are a final control in managing risks associated with airborne contaminants. Workers who don respirators must be fit-tested in order to confirm the assumed level of protection provided by the respirator. This must be done upon issuing a new respirator, annually thereafter or earlier if any facial changes occur.

All respirator fit testing is undertaken in accordance with AS/NZS 1715:2009 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment. We have AIOH Resp-Fit qualified fit-testers who ensure all fit testing is performed to current best practice. This partnered with 20 years of on-site experience ensures you are receiving the highest quality service.

If you require respirator fit-testing services and would like to have this done on-site, contact us today.

Get in touch

We Service Australia Wide

How we perform Fit Testing

Methods of fit testing

There are two methods of fit-testing that are accepted within the standard.

Qualitative – a pass/fail test that relies on the wearer’s ability to taste airborne particles introduced to the testing environment by our fit-test technician.
Quantitative – calibrated equipment measures the effectiveness of the seal by comparing the external & internal particle count

Depending on the style of respirator AusSafety will perform one of these tests on each type of respirator the worker uses.

Reasons for a failed fit test

Where a worker fails a fit test, AusSafety will trouble shoot with the worker to determine the cause of the failure. This may include:

Facial hair being present, causing the seal to fail. In this case we can perform a retest following the worker shaving
Where a respirator is damaged and no longer seals AusSafety will perform a re-test after the worker has donned a new respirator.

The facial structure is incompatible with respirator. In this case we can perform a retest with a different shape/style of respirator.

Fit Test Reporting

Following the testing, our technician will provide a Fit-Test card that the worker can keep so the respirator can be replaced with the correct model & size. AusSafety provides the employer a comprehensive report showing the list of attendees, the result of their test & the approved respirator. Where employees were unable to receive a fit, details regarding why will be given in this report so control measures can be reviewed.

Fit Testing Specialists

The AusSafety advantage is our capacity to perform multiple health screening functions on-stie for you. If you require fit-testing and other occupational health services (like audiometric testing, spirometry etc) we are able to bundle the services to reduce staff downtime & coordination complexities.

WE CAN HELP YOU

AusSafety builds relationships with our clients to best understand the needs & requirements of workers onsite. We have the experience & qualifications to help you today.

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Lung Function Screening

dinesh — Sun, 01 May 2022 07:06:18 +0000

On-Site Lung Function Screening

Lung Function testing can help identify issues in the lungs of workers

Lung function screening (also known as Spirometry) is a non-invasive solution to identifying possible obstructions in the lungs of workers. Some respiratory illnesses don’t develop for many years following the exposure, so regular lung function screening is critical for quick identification of issues. Call us or request a proposal today for an on-site lung function screening solution!

Lung Function testing can help identify issues in the lungs of workers

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Our Approach to Lung Function Testing

Workers who are exposed to airborne contaminants such as crystalline silica may develop chronic health conditions that impact lung function. Performing lung function testing (also known as spirometry) can assist in identifying a reduction in lung function or other respiratory issues and assist in establishing a medical diagnosis when other testing may not have been conducted (e.g. chest x-ray).

AusSafety have been trusted by some of Australia’s largest employers to perform lung function testing for workers on-site as part of their health surveillance program. All testing is performed to current medical guidelines (The Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand guidelines). All consultants who perform lung function testing have been qualified to perform high-quality spirometry.

Whether it is 30 or 3000 workers that you need tested, AusSafety will tailor a lung function testing program to suit your needs, including shift requirements, multi-locations & role requirements.

Get in touch

We Service Australia Wide

How we conduct Lung Function Testing

Program Management

Once you have engaged AusSafety to perform lung function testing you will be in safe hands. Our project management team will work alongside you to ensure all scheduling, site specific challenges & other requirements are looked after. Our team have experience in managing projects from 1 worker through to thousands of workers across multiple locations. We reduce the logistical nightmare of coordinating health surveillance programmes.

On-Site Testing

Our mobile health clinic or health consultant (where a mobile health clinic isn’t required) will come to your site & setup ready to perform lung function testing for all workers. Lung Function testing is performed by deeply inhaling and forcefully exhaling into a spirometer. This provides a reading related to the measurement of lung size (Forced Vital Capacity FVC) & the amount of air that is exhaled within time restrictions (Forced Expiratory Volume FEV1). With both these measurements and a calculation of the FEV1/FVC ratio we are able to determine if the reading indicates normal respiration or if a possible restriction or obstruction exists within the respiratory system.

Reporting & Recommendations

After performing the testing onsite, AusSafety’s team will compile the lung function testing results for the workers and compile a comprehensive testing report. This report will include individual results & a compiled company report with each workers results & recommendations based on the result.

Lung Function Testing

Lung Function (also known as spirometry) testing is becoming a more common part of worker health assessments and workplace health programs. AusSafety can help your company by providing onsite lung function (spirometry) testing of your workers using our calibrated scientific equipment. AusSafety’s technicians are qualified to meet all current relevant standards including

QLD Coal Mine Workers Health Scheme
NSW Coal Services Order 43
Meet core competencies outlined by ANZSRS Spirometry Training Courses

Each test is performed to the Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand’s guidelines (the most current medical opinion). We also offer a medical review service for all abnormal results at your request that is conduced by an occupational physician.

Following the lung function (spirometry) test, each worker is given an overview of their results by our technician. AusSafety also supplies individual records and a company report to meet the requirements of your workplace health program

WE CAN HELP YOU

AusSafety builds relationships with our clients to best understand the needs & requirements of workers onsite. We have the experience & qualifications to help you today.

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On-Site Audiometric Testing

dinesh — Sun, 01 May 2022 03:04:54 +0000

On-Site Audiometric Testing

“WHAT?” It’s the most common word used by someone with Noise Induced Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is 100% preventable and can impact on the ability of a worker to hear important audio cues in their work environment. Our mobile clinics are fitted with audiometric testing booths so we can get all your workers tested in the most efficient way. We are the industry leader in on-site audiometric testing and have experience with all industries across Australia. Call us or complete a request for proposal today!

“WHAT?” It’s the most common word used by someone with Noise Induced Hearing Loss

Lets talk

Complete the form below to request a call back from our team

Now’s not a good time to chat? No worries. Provide some details about your enquiry and one of our experienced team will reach out at a time that suits you.

Our Approach to Audiometric Testing

Thousands of employers across Australia over the last 20 years have entrusted AusSafety with the screening of their employees’ hearing, both via baseline testing and on ongoing regular monitoring of individual worker’s hearing levels. By performing testing on-site, you can avoid the costs, inconvenience & down-time of sending workers to off-site clinics.

On-Site Audiometric Testing is performed in accordance with AS/NSZ 1269.4: Occupational Noise Management with our specialised mobile health clinics. Each clinic is fitted with a compliant testing booth and all audiometric tests are performed using calibrated audiometers. Whether it is 30 or 3000 workers that you need tested, AusSafety will tailor a hearing screening program to suit your needs, including shift requirements, multi-locations & role requirements.

Get in touch

We Service Australia Wide

How we conduct Audiometric Testing

Program Management

Once you have engaged AusSafety to perform Audiometric Testing you will be in safe hands. Our project management team will work alongside you to ensure all scheduling, site specific challenges & other requirements are looked after. Our team have experience in managing projects from 1 through to thousands of workers across multiple locations. We reduce the logistical nightmare of coordinating health surveillance programmes.

On-Site Testing

Our mobile health clinic or health consultant (where a mobile health clinic isn’t required) will come to your site & setup ready to perform audiometric testing for all workers. Each test will be performed by our qualified hearing screener using a calibrated audiometer. The testing will be across the 8 octave bands outlined in the Australian standard. Following each test, the health consultant can deliver training to the worker explaining the results of testing & delivering training related to hearing protection devices.

Reporting & Recommendations

After performing the testing onsite, AusSafety’s team will compile the hearing screening results for the workers and compile a comprehensive testing report. This report will include individual results & a compiled company report with each workers results & recommendations based on the testing.

Comparative results can be provided for each worker with comparison drawn from prior testing & baseline results (where provided). This will reveal any threshold shifts for workers between testing as per Australian standards or company policy as required.

Hearing Conservation

Screening your workers’ hearing is just one part of a comprehensive Workplace Noise Management and Protection Programme.

Here are the 6 repeating steps of the “Total hearing Conservation Cycle”

1 – Hearing & Noise Education

The loop begins with the education of workers on-site by AusSafety, checking PPE usage (which workers are encouraged to bring with them to audiometric testing days), reporting to management on screening results, and then working with management on a Noise Reduction Strategy (see WHS training).

2 – Occupational Noise Survey & Personal Dosimetry

You can read more about AusSafety’s occupational noise management here

3 – Reduction of Noise Exposure

The reduction of noise exposure can be completed by ensuring the worker is rotated through noise exposure tasks, engaging in a ‘buy quiet’ policy or introducing controls around noise emitting locations. AusSafety can assist with WHS consulting & WHS auditing to help identify gaps and recommendations to assist in reducing noise exposure of workers.

4 – Custom Moulded Hearing Protection

AusSafety recommends the SONOMAX custom moulded hearing protection solution. These custom moulded protection devices can be fitted in 15 minutes on-site, reducing the wait times for moulds. They are attenuated following the fitting to assist with the next step in the cycle. Check you sonomax here

5 – Verification of Hearing Protector (Ear-Fit Testing)

Determining the attenuation received by hearing protection is important to ensure the worker is receiving the level of hearing protection advertised by the protection device. AusSafety can deliver on-site ear-fit validation which produces a result to confirm or deny if the stated attenuation is being received by the worker. Similar to respirator fit testing, this will validate the protection device used and assist in reducing NIHL in the workplace.

6 – Regular Audiometric Testing

Audiometric screenings help establish individual worker’s baseline hearing levels (within 3 months of starting in a role), and then monitor individual hearing levels over time to differentiate between normal age-related hearing loss, and industrial deafness. The employer has certainty about whether its workplace has contributed to the loss as AusSafety maintains employee levels across regular testing, usually every two years (although many global companies and some best practice employers require annual tests.)

WE CAN HELP YOU

AusSafety builds relationships with our clients to best understand the needs & requirements of workers onsite. We have the experience & qualifications to help you today.

Related Services

The post On-Site Audiometric Testing appeared first on Workplace Health & Safety | Occupational Hygiene | WHS | OH&S.