What is the purpose of fit-testing for respirators?

Fit-testing for respirators is primarily conducted to ensure a proper seal and effectiveness of the respirator when worn. A proper fit is crucial because if a respirator does not form an adequate seal against the user’s face, harmful contaminants can enter through gaps around the edges, rendering the respirator ineffective. The process involves various methods to assess whether the respirator fits the user’s face well enough to provide the protection it is designed to offer. This assessment is fundamental in maintaining safety standards and provides confidence in the respirator's ability to filter out harmful particles or gases.

While ensuring compliance with regulations is important and may be a byproduct of fit-testing, the central focus is on achieving and verifying the correct fit. Enhancing comfort for the user and training them on equipment are also significant but do not constitute the primary purpose of fit-testing. Comfort may influence the user's willingness to wear the respirator consistently, and training helps users understand how to properly wear and maintain their equipment, but these purposes do not directly relate to the critical function of fit-testing itself.