Respiratory protection program

On this page

This guidance explains how health workers can select, manage and use respirator masks safely.

Respiratory Protection Program Manual

The Respiratory Protection Program Manual sets out the requirements for managing and using respirator masks safely across NSW Health.

Fit testing

Fit testing assesses the quality of a health worker's respirator seal. Health workers should also fit check their respirator at the time of use to confirm a good fit.

Principles of fit checking: how to don and fit check P2 and N95 masks (PDF 351.7 KB)

Flowchart of the respirator fit testing procedure. The fit procedure for disposable respirators has six steps: fit to respirator, don, adjust, fit check, real-time fit check using software, and fit test. If the fit check fails, reattempt donning and adjusting up to twice. If the fit test fails, select the next respirator in the testing hierarchy and repeat. Continue until the worker is fitted to a minimum of two disposable respirators, then document. If options are exhausted, re-test with a different assessor, explore alternative P2 or N95 respirators, and consider risk assessment and redeployment. Reusable alternatives are tight-fitting PAPR (some models require fit testing), reusable elastomeric respirator, and loose-fitting PAPR (no fit test required). Document the fitted reusable respirator.
Respiratory fit testing algorithm

Key principles

  • fit test health workers to two disposable respirators where possible.
  • generate and document a fit test report for every respirator tested, whether it passes or fails.
  • fit test health workers to respirators supplied through NSW Health procurement.
  • if a respirator brand is unavailable, move to the next available option.

Respirator fit testing algorithm

The fit testing algorithm sets out what to consider when deciding which respirators health workers should be fit tested on during initial testing. Information about respirator brands, including availability and stock considerations, supports local decision-making.

Considerations for fit testing:

  1. NSW Health procurement stock
  2. Local inventory availability
  3. Health worker fit test success rate

Respirator brand information

Note: Brands listed on this page are used as examples only. NSW Health and the CEC do not endorse or promote any specific products or equipment.

Respirator brand and model Available sizesStyle

Care essentials MSK-002s

Small (for very small faces), regular

 Flat fold cone

3M 1870+ aura		 One size Flat fold

Halyard fluidshield

Small, regular

 Duckbill

3M cup style 1860

 One size Cup

Trident

 One size Flat fold

3M cup style
(current fit tested health workers only)

 Small Cup
(limited stock availability)
Back to top