Image courtesy of UNH Extension - Photographer: Jessica Bouchard
Under the updated requirements of the Worker Protection Standards (WPS) handlers who apply pesticides that require respiratory protection must annually undergo a medical evaluation and respirator fit testing. This requirement will affect a significant number of growers and their employees in all Northeastern states.
To meet this WPS requirement OSHA-accepted fit testing procedures must be followed. Please see the United States Department of Labor Occupational Health and Safety Administration's page for more information:
Occupational Safety and Health Standards
The guidelines outline the criteria for persons conducting fit testing; they must be able to calibrate equipment and perform tests properly, recognize invalid tests, calculate fit factors properly, and ensure that test equipment is in proper working order.
The UNH Cooperative Extension, Pesticide Safety Education Program has secured a respirator training test kit to loan out to all individuals who need to provide training to their pesticide handlers. This kit is comprised of 3M half-face respirators (small, medium, large), North half-face respirators (small, medium, large), one qualitative fit test kit (3MFT-30 Fit Testing Kit Bitrex), particulate filters, and a set of P100/OV cartridges (North and 3 M), a box each of small, medium/large, and extra large.
If you would like to borrow this equipment please contact Rachel Maccini @ 603-351-3831 or email Rachel.maccini@unh.edu to sign the equipment out.
