Respirator Face Fit Testing

Respirator  Face Fit Testing .

Respirator Face Fit Testing is now a requirement under  COSHH,CLAW, CAW and the IRR . Respirator Face fit testing must be carried out on all employees wearing tight fitting RPE as a control measure in the workplace. Respirator Face Fit testing is a means of ensuring that each employee can achieve an adequate seal between the respirator and their face. Individual faces vary in size and shape as do Respirators therefore it is critical that respirator  face fit testing is carried out to ensure a good match.

Respirator Face Fit Testing is an important step in risk management in the workplace.  whether employees are provided with  a  filtering face piece (disposable), a half mask or a full face piece respirator.  They must now be face fit tested using the type(s) of RPE they are required to use .Respirator face fit testing ensures that individual employees are capable of achieving an effective face fit with their Respiratory Protective Equipment.

Under the approved codes of practice supporting the COSHH regulations, respirator face fit testing is now a mandatory requirement. Respirator face fit testing should be carried out on all tight fitting Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)  wearers. This includes SCBA , tight fitting escape sets, full face pieces and filtering face piece products. Respirator Face fit testing should be carried out where no such testing has been conducted previously or where wearers have undergone substantial change eg weight loss or dental work where the change in facial shape may affect the seal formed between the wearers face and the RPE. Respirator face fit testing should also be carried out when a change of RPE has been decided upon.

 Examples of Tight Fitting Respiratory Protective Equipment:

Face Fit Testing helps to ensure the optimum performance of your chosen Respiratory Protection Equipment  by ensuring each employee is capable of achieving the required level of protection with the  selected  RPE . It is also an ideal opprtunity to remind employees of the correct use and fitting of their RPE.  The COSHH Regulations demand that the chosen RPE be suitable for the purpose and should reduce exposure to hazardous substances by as much as is reasonably practical. Face Fit Testing is part of this process.  The methods and protocols are outlined in HSE Document  282/28 : Fit Testing Of Respiratory Protective Equipment Face pieces..........

Our Fit tester has over 30 years experience in the Respiratory Protection Industry and was one of the first to use the Qualitative Fit testing system in the UK.  He has recently succesfully completed the Fit 2 Fit Quantitative Fit testing Accreditation pratical and written exam. Resmar can organise both Qualitative and Quantitative face fit testing  for all your employees using either the Portacount Quantitative  Fit tester (above) or the Qualitative method .  For more detailed information  and a quotation contact Resmar now.

Face Fit Testing by a Fit2Fit accredited provider  in Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Staffordshire, North Wales, Lancashire ,North Derbyshire ,Cumbria, Shropshire and West Midlands.  Crewe, Runcorn, Liverpool,Stoke on Trent, Stafford, Stockport, Warrington, Widnes, Liverpool, Manchester