Trent University's Respirator Protection Program is designed to ensure individuals that require respiratory protection from inhalation hazards receive appropriate training, utilize the hierarchy of controls, select adequate personal protective equipment, and are properly fitted with the appropriate respirator. Supervisors are responsible for assessing potential hazards in their worker's tasks and determining the appropriate control measures.
Respirators are protective devices designed to safeguard the wearer from inhaling hazardous airborne substances such as dust, fumes, vapors, or infectious particles. There are two main categories of respirators
Air-Purifying Respirators: Filter contaminants from the surrounding air (e.g., N95, half or full-face respirators with filters/cartridges for dust, chemicals, or gases).
Atmosphere-Supplying Respirators: Supplies the user with breathing air/gas from a source independent of the ambient atmosphere.
The type used depends on the hazard - particulate filters protect against dusts, mists, and biological agents, while chemical cartridges of supplied-air protect against vapors, gases, or oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
Respirators should not be the primary choice for hazard control. Prior to selecting a respirator, consider other levels of protection, such as the elimination or reduction of respiratory hazards through substitution or engineering controls. A hazard assessment must be performed by supervisors to determine selection of appropriate controls.
Fit Testing
Workers using a respirator for anyone purposes at Trent University are required to pass a successful fit test prior to respirator use. Upon successfully completing a fit test, the individual must wear the specific make, model, and size of respirator they were fitted on for their work. Fit tests must be completed at least every two years.
Fit testing is completed by the Health and Safety Office. To coordinate fit testing for workers:
- Supervisor must complete the Fit Test Request Form.
- Worker must complete the Self-Assessment Screening Record.
- Health & Safety will schedule a time to perform the fit test and provide training.
Please note that there is a $25.00 internal charge per fit test to accommodate the cost of testing supplies.
A copy of the Supervisor Request, Self Assessment, and Fit Test Record will be saved to the worker's VIP profile.
Last Updated: December 4, 2025