Shetland RPE Face Fit Services Ltd. is a locally based company providing fit testing services in the North of Scotland including Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles
Here at Shetland RPE FACE FIT SERVICES we offer comprehensive R.P.E fit-testing and training services including:
Quantitative RPE fit-testing and advice at your workplace.
Fit-Testing carried out by experienced and fully trained personnel.
Fit2Fit Accredited Face Fit Testers
Advice on RPE fitting, selection, training and maintenance.
Quantitative Full certification for each employee tested.
Control of Substances Hazardous to health 2002 (COSHH)
Approved Code of practice (AcoP) (or COSHH 2002) Fit Testing of Respiratory Equipment Face pieces-information 282/28 Rev 2002
On successful completion of fit test, both employer and employee will be provided with fit tested certification
Fit-Testing carried out at your location or venue to prevent down time of employees.
Legislation and Purpose of Face-Fit Testing
The COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Regulations include a requirement that the initial selection process for all tight-fitting facepieces should include face-fit testing to ensure the wearer has a correctly fitting device. Face-Fit Testing is also required under the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations and the Control of Lead at Work Regulations.
RPE Fit Testing
RPE Fit Testing is required for all tight-fitting facepieces including all filtering facepieces (disposable face masks), half masks and full-face masks. This includes negative pressure full-face masks as well as power-assisted full masks, and both self-contained and air-fed breathing apparatus.
HSG53 Respiratory Protective Equipment at Work
Fit Testing of Respiratory Protective Equipment Facepieces
The HSE Information Document HSE282/28 'Fit Testing of Respiratory Protective Equipment Facepieces' describes in detail fit testing methods, techniques and protocols including practical aspects, records and theory. This Information Document is HSE Guidance and in following this guidance employers will normally be doing enough to comply with the law.
What is Face Ft Testing?
The test protocol can take up to 20 minutes per employee. This involves them wearing their chosen RPE for a period of acclimatisation (5-10 minutes) to allow both their face and the respirator to “relax”, after which time some further adjustment can be carried out.
They are then taken through the test protocol which is the same for both QNFT and QLFT, although the QNFT process requires the employee to exercise at the same time.. This raises the respiration rate and,combined with the 7 exercises, is designed to simulate as close as possible conditions in the workplace. For this reason we always ask if employees are fit to undertake this exercise.
At the end of the test protocol a certificate is issued with the appropriate Fit Factor *
* not to be confused with Assigned Protection Factor.
If an employee is required to wear two different types of respirator and providing they are classed as control measures then they should be tested on both respirators.
Requirements on the Day
It is preferable for employees to use their own respirator and, in the case of filtering face pieces, a new device should be used every time. Because of the insertion of an adaptor these will not be suitable for use after the test is completed.
If “pool” respirators are to be used there should be at least two of each size available to ensure that the employee is tested on the exact make, model and size of respirator that they normally use.
We have adaptors and particulate P3 filters for most of the commonly used RPE
We always carry the correct sanitising equipment and are experienced in cleaning and sanitising RPE in between tests.
Employees should be tested wearing any other head worn PPE that may affect the face fit of the respirator e.g. goggles, ear defenders.
Employees must be clean shaven as stubble can adversely affect the face fit, some sideburns can also interfere with an effective face fit.
It is preferable to avoid eating or drinking 30 minutes before the test and smoking at least 1 hour before the test.
Employees should be proficient in the correct use and fitting of the chosen RPE , although we always coach on this.
It is the employers responsibility to ensure that the chosen RPE is suitable for purpose
Candidates should be medically capable of undertaking exercise as part of the test protocol and if a condition is disclosed e.g. angina of which the employer is unaware then we reserve the right not to conduct the test without infringing the employees right to privacy.
Requirements for an Effective Fit Testing Session
A Well ventilated area with a suitable work surface/desk
For Quantitative Fit Testing we have our own particle generator to ensure particulate levels in the test area are sufficient.
For QNFT we need at least 2 power points
It is preferable to have the next candidate waiting; this ensures continuity is more productive and could result in lower costs for the day
As already stated adequate supplies of the respirator(s)
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find answers to the most common questions we receive regarding Face Fit Testing. If you can't find the answer you need here, please contact us, we would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
What is Face Fit Testing?
The objective of face fit testing is to ensure there is an adequate* seal between a “specific” tight fitting respirator / mask and an individual’s face. There is no such thing as a “Universal Face” just as there is no “one size fits all” tight fitting respiratory device. Thus face fit testing is required to establish a respirators suitability for the individual.
It is still the employers’ responsibility to ensure that the chosen respirator (s)/mask(s) are suitable for purpose.
*HSE282.28 sets out the recommended minimum fit factors.
Is the test model or type specific?
The test is Manufacturer, Model and size (if applicable) specific.
“Our wholesaler changes what he sells every month, but they look the same ”
Your fit test certificate is only valid for the specific make, model , size used for the fit testing
What do you mean by “tight fitting” RPE
A Tight fitting respirator is one which depends on the ability of the respirator to form a seal with the users face. This includes Filtering Face Pieces (Disposables) Half masks and Full Face Pieces , including those used with SCBA. Exceptions to this are air fed hoods, visors and helmets which do not require a seal to be formed.
How do I know if I need to have it done?
If you wear or are provided with a tight fitting respirator (mask) as a “ control measure” then you need to conduct face fit testing. COSHH describes the hierarchy of controls, however if it is not possible to engineer out the hazard(s) and RPE is provided, then fit testing must be carried out.
We only use “masks” now and again.
The above still applies.
“The dust levels in our workshop are fairly low”
Providing that you have clear evidence that the levels in your workplace are below the WEL (Workplace Exposure Limit), then any RPE issued is described as for “comfort” and does not need to be fit tested, but you do need to have a regular regime of testing to ensure levels remain safe.
Do I have to conduct fit testing if I only use an FFP1 ?
Yes.
I understand fit testing uses “particles” or counts particles (Portacount), we only use Gas and vapour filters do we still need to fit test?
Yes, apart from the fact that it’s useful to have a particulate filter on a gas and vapour respirator, your Fit2Fit accredited fit tester will have a range of adaptors and particle filters to fit your make and model of respirator to enable fit testing .
Why are there two types of fit testing and which is best for me ?
The two most commonly used methods are: Qualitative (QLFT) and Quantitative (QNFT). QLFT uses an aerosol of either a bitter tasting substance (Bitrex) or a sweet substance (Saccharine) to challenge the face seal whilst the wearer undertakes 7 exercises (in a hood to contain the test substance). If after the 7 exercises (7 minutes), the candidate has not detected (tasted) the test substance that is regarded as a pass and a fit factor of 100 is assigned. NB it is part of the protocol that at the end of the test, the candidate is required to break the seal to demonstrate how effective the seal has been.
QNFT is a much more exact method and uses a Portacount particle counting device. This device counts the particles inside the candidate’s respirator and compares the levels to the ambient atmosphere. At the end of each of the 7 exercises (conducted whilst the candidate is walking on a treadmill or using a stepper) a calculation is made as to whether the fit factor is adequate before the candidate moves on to the next exercise.
Which is best for me?
Full Face pieces can only be tested using the Quantitative method, other than that it is best to discuss with the Fit Tester what is most suited to your particular needs e.g location, availability of power, adequate venue, and time:
How often should I have it done? (the following is extracted from HSE282.28 Version6 (30/04/2012)
“It is good practice to have a system in place to ensure repeat fit testing of RPE is carried out on a regular basis. This is especially important when RPE is used frequently as a primary means of exposure control, e.g. annual testing for workers involved in licensed asbestos removal” HSE282/28 document
Irrespective of the above, fit testing should also be conducted when :
An individual loses or gains weight
Undergoes any substantial dental work
Develops any facial changes (scars, moles, etc) around the faceseal area
Or where it is required by a company’s safety policy
Why do I have to be clean shaven ?
The legislation requires that there should be no “facial hair” interfering with the face seal, thus some moustaches and goatee beards may be OK.
Stubble can be sufficiently strong to hold a respirator off the wearers face to allow the kind of particles that can be hazardous to health into the wearers breathing zone. It also changes by the hour/day. It is therefore a requirement that candidates should be clean shaven for the fit test as there is no ambiguity in the results . Furthermore many companies are now adopting a clause stipulating that employees required to wear RPE as part of their job should be clean shaven.
How do I obtain a copy of the legislation
It is free to download on the HSE website: The document reference is HSE OC 282.28
Fit2Fit - Fit Test Providers Accreditation Scheme
A scheme designed to confirm the competency of any person performing facepiece fit testing.
How much does it cost ?
Call me to discuss costs.
Our Terms & Conditions
Shetland RPE Face Fit Services Ltd will carry out the face fit testing according to the requirements of HSE document HSE282/28
Shetland RPE FFS Ltd use TSI Portacount Fit Test equipment and can test all tight fitting RPE.
Shetland RPE FFS Ltd will provide individual results giving clear details of each employee tested, their works/employee number, the types of masks tested and the results.
Shetland RPE FFS Ltd will require written confirmation (email or letter) of our quotation irrespective of any verbal communication.
It will improve productivity on the day(s) of fit testing if we can have a list of the employees to be fit tested at least 3 days before , allowing us to preload the fit test database
If employees are to be fit tested using their personal issue RPE please add an additional 5 minutes to the test time due to the need to change adaptors
If employees are not using personal issue RPE, then the client must provide at least two each of every size and type of reusable RPE to be tested
If testing Filtering Facepieces a new mask should be used for each test
A well ventilated room with a suitable work surface and power is required
Fit Testing will be carried out strictly in accordance with HSE document 282/28
Employees must be clean shaven (no designer stubble) . Sideboards can on occasion adversely affect face fit
Employees should refrain from smoking at least 1 hour before the test
Employees should be proficient in the correct use and fitting of their RPE
Employees should be tested wearing all “head mounted” PPE which could have an effect on face fit eg. goggles, HPE
It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that candidates are medically capable of carrying out exercise as part of the test protocol
Fit testing is not to be seen as a substitute for good practice in checking and fitting RPE prior to use
It is the employers responsibility to ensure that the RPE chosen is suitable for purpose
