WorkSafeBC Respirator Fit Testing Requirements: What BC Employers Need to Know
If your workers wear N95s, half-face or full-face respirators, WorkSafeBC expects every one of them to have a current fit test. Here is what the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation requires, in plain language.
Who needs a fit test
Any worker who wears a tight-fitting respirator, meaning one that only works if it seals against the face. That includes disposable N95s and reusable half-face and full-face respirators. Under section 8.40 of the Regulation, a respirator like this must not be issued to a worker until a fit test shows the facepiece forms an effective seal with that worker's face.
How often fit testing is required in BC
Section 8.40 requires a fit test:
- Before a worker first uses the respirator
- At least once a year after that
- Whenever the facepiece changes, including a different brand, model or size
- Whenever a change in the worker's physical condition could affect the fit, such as significant weight change or dental work
The annual retest is easy to lose track of, especially with new hires and staff turnover. And if your supplier switches N95 models partway through the year, every affected worker needs a new test on the new model, even if their last test was recent.
Facial hair and the November 6, 2026 change
Until now, section 8.39 has required workers who wear a tight-fitting respirator to be clean-shaven where the respirator seals with the face. WorkSafeBC's Board of Directors has approved amendments to the face-seal rules in Part 8, effective November 6, 2026. The amendments remove the "clean shaven" wording, but they do not relax the rule: the requirement covers anything that gets between the skin and the seal, including hair, cloth, jewellery and the arms of eyeglasses.
In practice, nothing changes for your crews on test day. Workers still need a bare face along the seal line, and anything else that could break the seal has to be dealt with too. Read the approved amendments on WorkSafeBC's website and update your written respirator program to match the new wording.
Fit testing is one part of a respirator program
Fit testing confirms that a specific respirator seals on a specific worker. Your broader program should also cover respirator selection, training on use and limitations, cleaning and storage, and records. Keep each worker's fit test results so you can show WorkSafeBC who was tested, on which respirator, and when.
Getting a crew tested without losing a shift
Sending workers to a clinic one at a time is where most of the cost hides. Clear Work brings qualitative fit testing to your site for N95 and suitable half-face respirators. Each test typically takes 10 to 15 minutes, we test groups of 5 or more at one site, and results go into your client portal so they are ready when WorkSafeBC asks.
See how it works in practice: 25 pipeline workers fit tested in one visit in Hope, and 7 employees tested the same week they booked in Abbotsford.
Prefer to test in-house? Our on-site fit tester training prepares your own safety staff to fit test your workers.
Learn about our on-site respirator fit testing or request a quote.
This guide is a summary for general information, not legal advice. Always check the current Part 8 of the OHS Regulation for the exact wording.
