Colleagues who are required to be fitted annually for a disposable N95 respirator should schedule a fitting between July 10 and July 21. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires fit testing for any employee whose job description indicates a potential for exposure to airborne and/or aerosolized diseases and particles. If you are not sure if you are required to be fit tested, please check with your manager or UNMC Safety.

Per OSHA requirement, you must be fit tested before you use a respirator in the workplace and you must be retested at least annually to make sure that the respirator you use still fits you. You must be fit tested with the specific make, model, style and size of respirator that you will be using.

The fit of your respirator must also be retested whenever you have a change in your physical condition which could affect the fit of your respirator. Such changes could include:

• Large weight gain or loss
• Major dental work (such as new dentures)
• Facial surgery that may have changed the shape of your face
• Significant scarring in the area of the seal

Any of these changes could affect your respirator’s ability to properly seal to your face, which could allow contaminated air to leak into your respirator face piece.

Beginning July 10, fit testing for disposable N95 respirators will be held in the Durham Outpatient Center, level two, room 2602.You are asked to sign up for a fit testing slot between July 10 and July 21 in Apollo. Log in to Apollo, select “Search for Trainings” on the right-hand side, then type in ”fit testing.”  Note: These sessions will not be conducting fit testing for any reusable half mask or full face respirators.  Contact Employee Health to schedule fit testing for those respirators.

Additional dates will be held in the future for those who are unable to make it during this two-week period.

Here are some additional details for your upcoming appointment:

1. It will take approximately 20 minutes
2. Plan to arrive 5 to 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment
3. You must complete this questionnaire before you arrive
4. If you are late, you may be asked to reschedule
5. Males must be clean shaven in the area where the mask will make contact with their skin. Facial hair can affect the respirator’s ability to protect you

For questions, email Employee Health at FitTest@nebraskamed.com