DBS Teamed-Up with 3M and Grainger to Complete Annual Fit Testing

DBS collaborated with industry experts at 3M and Grainger to complete our company’s annual fit testing program. These training sessions are designed to equip all team members with the proper knowledge to promote safe working conditions and the use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) year-round. 

Nick N. from 3M’s Personal Safety Division was on-site to provide training on PPE and perform fit tests for respiratory face masks. The overview of 3M’s Fit Testing process is seen here, and is based on OSHA standards:

“Tight-fitting respirators must seal to the wearer’s face in order to provide expected protection. This includes disposable respirators (also called “filtering facepieces”). Therefore, fit testing is required in the US by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) before a user wears a mandatory respirator on the job, and must be assessed at least annually.”

Working with respirators means that facial hair has to be properly groomed to ensure a proper seal of the mask against the face. This graphic from the CDC shows a break-down of facial hair deemed acceptable and unacceptable and is as follows:

Each crew member was first provided with a respirator and coached on how to get a proper fit. Each person then placed a hood over their mask, creating a controlled air space. Nick then used Bitrex®, a non-toxic spray identified by a bitter taste, to track leaks in any masks. Each of the following seven exercises were performed for 1 minute each, Nick applied the Bitrex® into the hood for each step: 

• Normal breathing.
• Deep breathing.
• Moving head side to side.
• Moving head up and down.
• Bending over (or jogging in place if the fit test unit doesn’t permit bending at the waist).
• Talking.
• Normal breathing again.

Educating and empowering our managers and installation crew members to make safe choices for themselves and others on job sites is really important to us! We are proud to work with 3M to ensure best practices for safety are in place and happy to have Grainger as our trusted supplier for all of our PPE.