and What Smart Businesses Are Doing Next

Across Australia, more organisations are making respiratory protection a central part of their health and safety strategy. The reason is clear: exposure to airborne hazards like silica dust, welding fumes, and airborne pathogens is more visible — and more heavily regulated.

At JTA, we’ve seen a marked increase in businesses booking annual respiratory fit testing. Whether it’s for a hospital, rail depot, manufacturing site, or waste facility, employers now understand that fit testing isn’t optional — it’s a compliance requirement and a frontline defence against long-term health risks.

But fit testing is just the start of an effective respiratory protection program.

Why Annual Respirator Fit Testing Matters

If your workers wear a respirator — such as a half-face or full-face reusable air purifying respirator — they must be fit tested at least once every 12 months.

This isn’t just good practice — it’s part of the respiratory protection standard outlined in AS/NZS 1715:2009, and also required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration under 29 CFR 1910.134.

Fit testing confirms that a specific respirator model and size forms a proper seal on the wearer’s face. Without that seal, airborne contaminants can bypass the filter — even if the correct respirator is being worn.

JTA offers both qualitative fit test (QLFT) and quantitative fit test (QNFT) methods depending on your equipment type and application.

• QLFT uses a fit test solution to detect taste or odour leakage in negative pressure respirators.
• QNFT uses specialised equipment to measure actual leakage, providing a precise fit factor of 500 or more for full-face masks — the gold standard for high-risk environments.

JTA’s services are delivered by RESP-FIT accredited testers, giving you confidence in both compliance and technical accuracy.

What’s Driving the Demand?

1. Stricter Regulatory Oversight
Standards like AS/NZS 1715:2009 require fit testing before first use of a tight-fitting respirator, and at least annually. Enforcement is tightening, with spot checks and penalties pushing employers to act.

2. Post-Pandemic Learnings
COVID-19 highlighted the risks of poorly fitted respirators in healthcare and aged care. Non-fit-tested N95/P2 masks were a key factor in early infections. Since then, many hospitals and medical centres have implemented routine QNFT programs to meet national infection control standards.

3. Expansion in High-Risk Sectors
Industries like construction, manufacturing, chemical processing, and waste management are growing — and so is exposure to airborne contaminants. Proper fit testing helps ensure seals are effective against:

• Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS): Common in cutting, grinding, or drilling stone and concrete. Exposure can lead to silicosis — a serious, irreversible lung disease.
• Welding Fumes: Emitted during metalwork and fabrication, particularly hazardous in enclosed spaces.
• Airborne Pathogens: A concern in healthcare, lab settings, and biohazard environments.

Across sectors, businesses are expected to demonstrate full compliance — with written programs, documented risk controls, and regular performing fit tests.

What You Can Expect From JTA

JTA delivers quantitative fit testing using TSI Portacount machines — ensuring accurate, standards-aligned results every time.

Our fit testing service includes:

• Onsite testing across metro and regional locations
• Digital reporting for HR, safety, and audit purposes
• Guidance on fitting respirators and choosing the right models and sizes
• Support across disposable, half-face, full-face, and PAPR units
• Basic training in donning, doffing, cleaning, and maintenance
• Scheduling to align with shift rotations and fit test requirements

We tailor each program to suit your workforce — whether testing 10 staff or rolling out across multiple sites.

Fit Testing Is Just the First Step

While fit testing confirms a respirator seals correctly, it doesn’t answer the bigger question:

“What’s actually in the air?”

That’s why smart businesses go further — combining fit testing with exposure monitoring and occupational hygiene risk assessments to identify hazards early and improve controls.

Complementary Services That Go Beyond the Seal

Airborne Contaminant Monitoring

We assess exposures to:

• Inhalable & respirable dusts
• Silica dust (RCS)
• Welding fumes and ozone gases
• Isocyanates, VOCs, and lead
• Airborne pathogens (e.g. hospital, lab, waste environments)

Using worker-worn (personal) and static sampling, we deliver actionable data that helps determine whether PPE is enough — or if engineering controls or improved ventilation are required.

Occupational Hygiene Risk Assessments

We review:

• High-risk tasks (e.g. grinding, welding, cleaning)
• Negative pressure environments
• Ventilation and air flow
• PPE programs
• Compliance with OHS and national institutes best practices

This produces a practical roadmap for reducing exposure and strengthening compliance.

Respiratory Protection Training

We offer onsite or remote training to improve:

• Confidence in mask selection and use
• Understanding of fit test methods and frequency
• Long-term effectiveness of programs
• Internal capacity for performing fit tests where appropriate

The Detect. Protect. Promise

JTA’s approach is simple:
Detect the risk. Protect the people.

From fit test solution protocols to hygiene audits, we help you build and maintain a respiratory program that stands up to scrutiny. Our clients include manufacturers, government departments, health providers, and Tier 1 contractors who value our rigour, responsiveness, and reach.

What To Do Next

If your workers wear a respirator, here’s what to do:

Book your annual respirator fit testing — stay compliant and protect your team
Assess what’s in the air — use data, not guesswork
Review your full respiratory protection program — from fit test methods to training and audits

Book Respirator Fit Testing
Talk to a Consultant on 1300 856 282

Let’s work together to detect the risks - and protect your people.