N95 Respirators: Fit-testing, Resources, and Suppliers
If tasks in your organization require the use of N95 respirators, you should have a respiratory protection policy and respiratory protection program in place. Each worker that requires the use of a respirator will need to be trained and personally fit-tested to ensure the proper use of a respirator. Workers should be fit-tested annually for the make, model, and size of the respirator that is provided at your organization. Should a worker require another type of respirator, or there is a change of stock availability, a new fit-testing for the worker is required.
You may want to consider fit-testing your staff based on their determination of a point of care risk assessment, or as part of future resilience planning to ensure the organization is prepared for outbreaks of airborne disease or other hazards.
Below are some resources which may support your fit-testing program. This includes respirator protection policy and respirator protection program templates, virtual ‘train the tester’ options, fit-test kits to build in-house capacity, and a list of N95 (or equivalent) respirators as well as third-party organizations who can provide these products and services. These product and service suppliers have not been vetted. We recommend conducting your own due diligence on the type of product, testing and experience these suppliers can provide.
In some circumstances, SafeCare BC may be able to advise members on which option is most suitable. We may also be able to connect members with local or peer fit-testing support if all other avenues have been exhausted. For additional member support on this, please contact info@safecarebc.ca .
Resources
Mask vs. Respirator Infographic
Surgical masks and respirators are different types of personal protective equipment. Healthcare workers wear surgical masks as part of their personal protective equipment; however, these are not respirators and are not certified as such. The decision to wear a mask versus a respirator should be based on a risk assessment of the specific work environment.
Respirator Protection Program and Policy Templates
The following respirator protection template resources were developed by
SafeCare BC, with input from its Technical Advisory committee, which is comprised of union, WorkSafeBC, and employer representatives.
Respiratory Protection Policy Template
Use this template to customize your policies and procedures around a respiratory protection program.
Respiratory Protection Program Template
Use this template to customize your respirator protection program.
Fit Testing Services
Mobile Respirator Fit Testing Services
Book online or call 604-378-9111
Exposure Control Consulting (Prince George)
Book online or contact Zainab Nelson (778-675-6257)
Link2Life (Lower Mainland)
Register online for fit testing session dates.
If you would like to schedule your own session please contact Debra at office@link2life.ca
Levitt Safety (Lower Mainland)
Note: Quantitative Fit testing services only.
Contact Sabrina (888-453-8488) for pricing and information.
Mountainview Safety Services (Dawson Creek)
Contact: Peter Sidoruk
Phone: 250-782-5559
Email: psidoruk@mountainviewsafety.com
Orca Health & Safety (Nanaimo)
Contact: Karen Rinfret
Phone: 250-667-2500
Email: fittest@orcasafety.ca
Vancouver First Aid (Lower Mainland)
Register online for courses scheduled throughout the Lower Mainland.
Train the Tester Services
Qualitative Respirator Fit Tester Training course
This Qualitative Respirator Fit Tester Training has been developed in accordance with WorkSafeBC’s Regulation and CSA Standards. Successful completion of this course enables participants to conduct N95 respirator (or equivalent) qualitative fit tests for workers in their own continuing care organization.
SafeCare BC Member Pricing: $35 | Non-Members $110 |
Fit Test Kit Suppliers
3M (fit test kits and solution)
Select your geographic area to locate a local supplier.
ULINE.ca (Fit test kits and solution)
Phone: 1-800-295-5510
HTT Safety n’ More (Port Coquitlam)
Phone: 604-484-4900
Email: sales@httsafety.com
Phone: 604-946-7712
Toll Free: 1-800-663-0047
N95 (or equivalent) Respirators
WorkSafeBC accepts National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and CSA certification requirements for respirators as a standard acceptable to WorkSafeBC under section 8.33(2) of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.
You can check to see if your respirator has been certified by NIOSH by entering the approval number, found on the respirator, into the NIOSH database. Respirators that have received certification approval from CSA are listed in the CSA Group Product Listing webpage. NIOSH and CSA approved respirators are deemed acceptable to WorkSafeBC, however, there are situations where WorkSafeBC accepts respirators from other jurisdictions. See WorkSafeBC Guidelines section 8.33(2) for further details.
There can be some risks associated with procuring acceptable masks, respirators and equivalents during a supply shortage. For example:
- KN95 type respirators and other respirators with earloop designs (as opposed to around-the-head elastic) can make it more difficult to get an effective seal.
- Valves are featured on some N95 respirators. These masks protect the wearer but not the resident, client or patient. For this reason, they are more commonly used in construction or other dusty environments and not healthcare.
Access Pacific Enterprises Inc.
Access Pacific Enterprises Ltd (MiraGuard)
Location: Richmond, BC
Type of Business: Import/Supplier/Distributor
- Medical Masks, 3M N95 (1860/9105)
- Gloves
- Face Shields
- Hand Sanitizer
- Other (Disinfectant Wipes, thermometers, cleaning solution)
Certification/Status:
- MDEL #14539
- Test Reports Available EN14683:2019 ASTM F2100-19
- FDA and/or CE approved Certification
Business Information:
- Access Pacific Enterprises works with senior care homes, transit companies, Canadian airline, government organizations, non-profit organizations, childcare centers, restaurants, hotels, clinics in providing essential PPE and cleaning supplies.
- Donated 20,160 bottles of 236ml hand sanitizers to Safe Care BC to distribute to more than 85 care homes across BC.
Order information
- Orders can be placed by email: jessica@accesspacific.ca
- Free deliveries in lower mainland with order minimum of $150 (See Delivery Schedule)
- Outside of lower mainland + shipping charges (same/next day shipping)
Contact:
- Jessica Nguyen (Account Executive – Corporate Sales)
- jessica@accesspacific.ca
- 604-729-6234
Eternity Medical Equipment
Location: Surrey, BC
Type of Business: Manufacturer
- Surgical Masks
- ECAN 95 Respirator
Certification/Status: MDEL number 13385
Business Information:
- Eternity Medical Equipment is a Canadian medical start-up company based out of Surrey, BC. It opened the city’s first medical mask facility in October 2020 in response to the government’s call to produce more PPE on Canadian Soil. The state-of-the-art 13,000 square foot space currently specializes in creating 95PFE medical respirators – Canada’s equivalent to the US-based N95.
Order information:
- Eternity ECAN95 Brochure
- Any size order welcome, order online
- Discounts for orders over 1000 masks, please contact us directly.
Phone
- 1-800-480-7155
- 604-385-6098
Vitacore
Location: Burnaby BC
Type of Business: Manufacturer
Certification/Status: MDEL Number 14554
Business Information: Surgical masks manufactured locally in Burnaby BC. See webpage for more information.
Additional Information:
- CAN99 FFP3 Certification
- Surgical masks can be ordered online.
For bulk orders, please contact:
- Kyndle Rice
- (604) 671-8681
- k.rice@vitacore.ca
Levitt Safety
Location: Canada
Certification/Status: MDEL 1841
Business Information:
- Levitt-Safety is a equipment and service supplier that offers a complete range of products, services, training and rental options.
Additional Information:
- The 3M Aura Disposable N95 Respirator, 1870+ is available for pre-order, deliveries expected to begin in May 2021. Delivery priority given to customers who have joined the on-going delivery program and then one-time orders.
- Order online. For larger orders, contact customer service at:
RWC Industries
RWC Industries
Location: Surrey, BC
Type of Business: Importer/Supplier
N95 Respirators
Masks (ASTM Level 1, 2 & 3)
Gloves
Gowns
Hand Sanitizer
Face Shields
Other (Wipes, Thermometers)
Certification/Status: MDEL Number 14193
Business Information: RWC Industries is a Vancouver local Indigenous owned and women lead manufacturer and supplier of industry leading PPE items. They partner direct with brand names (such as Vitacore, Makrite, Warrior Suppliers. etc) to ensure you receive the highest quality items at the best prices.
Ordering Information: RWC Industries provides a curated client experience. As clients have varying needs (order quantity, timeline, etc.) they quote all items on a case by case basis.
Please reach out to sales@rwc-industries.com and the team will be happy to help.
HTT Safety ‘n’ More Inc
Location: Port Coquitlam BC
Type of Business: Supplier
- N95 Respirators
Business Information:
- For over a quarter of a century HTT’s people have provided Personal Protective Equipment ‘n’ More to businesses across British Columbia. 100% BC owned.
Additional Information:
- Available respirators listed on the website.
Order information
- sales@httsafety.com
- 604-484-4900
MSS Ltd
Location: Hay River, NT
Type of Business: Aboriginal Social Enterprise that is a distributor, supplier and importer of Canadian manufactured goods and Global Whitelisted products.
- Surgical Face Masks
- N95 Respirators
- Hand Sanitizer
- Disinfectant Wipes / hard surface disinfectant
- Gloves
Certification/Status: MDEL number 2442
Business Information:
- MSS is an Aboriginal Social Enterprise with clear social determinants that offers a diverse platform of products and engages with First Nation Bands, Governments, Businesses, Academic institutions, and organizations across Canada.
- Founded in 1992 in Hay River, NT the company’s values of, Respect, Honesty, Trust, Transparency and Performance help us deliver quality products while making meaningful differences, creating better jobs, and prosperity for the communities we partner with.
Additional information:
- Catalogue with all items listed above
- No minimum order quantity.
Order information
- Create a customer account on the website or
- e-mail sales@mss.com for more information.
Med Supply Inc
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Type of Business: Supplier
- Disposable Isolation Gowns (Levels 1 -4)
- Medical 3 Ply Masks Level 1, 2 & 3
- N95 masks
Business Information:
- Med supply works with assisted living, nursing homes, dental practices and hospitals across Canada and USA in providing essential PPE and disinfecting supplies
- Certification/Status: FDA approved
Order information:
- Orders may be placed either through phone or their website
Contact:
- Raz Tram
- info@med-supply.net
- 289.339.4440
Micron Technologies
Micron Technologies Inc (formerly COVID Technologies Inc)
Location: Delta, BC
Type of Business: Manufacturing
- Surgical Face Masks. ASTM F2100 Medical Grade Level 3 (in blue or black)
Certification/Status: MDEL 13174
Order information:
- Online ordering via the website starting October 2020.
- Additional information: No order minimums
- Same day delivery for orders under 5,000
- Two day delivery for 5000 to 20,000 masks
- 2-5 day delivery for 20,000 to 100,000 masks
Contact:
- Harvey Sidhu
- harvey@micronti.com
- 604-808-1638
Promos Canada
Location: Ontario
Type of Business: Advertising Specialities
- Face masks
- Face shields
- Gowns
- Gloves
- Personal sized hand sanitizer
- Infrared Thermometers
Business Information:
- Est 1997
Additional Information:
- Minimum orders in effect for some items. See webpage for details.
Order information:
- Order online at https://www.promoscanada.com/all-specials.htm
Contact:
- Alex Subotica
- Phone 905.983.1128
- Toll-free 1.877.552.6068
