Safety Orientation for Supervisors Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of conducting fit testing for respirators?

1. To ensure compliance with regulations

2. To assess the comfort level of the user

3. To determine the appropriate size and seal

4. To verify the effectiveness of training

The correct answer is: To determine the appropriate size and seal

The primary purpose of conducting fit testing for respirators is to determine the appropriate size and seal. Ensuring that a respirator fits properly is crucial for its effectiveness in providing respiratory protection. A good seal between the respirator and the user's face prevents contaminants from bypassing the respirator, which is essential for the wearer’s safety in environments where airborne hazards exist. A fit test assesses various factors such as the suitability of the respirator model for the wearer's facial features and whether the sealing surfaces are intact and functioning. A proper fit ensures that the respiratory protection provided is maximized, significantly minimizing the risk of exposure to harmful substances. While compliance with regulations is important, it is more of a secondary result of ensuring proper fit rather than the primary intent of the testing itself. Assessing the comfort level of the user and verifying the effectiveness of training are relevant considerations, but they do not directly address the crucial need for a proper size and seal, which is what fit testing fundamentally aims to establish.