We provide Qualitative Face Fit Testing – we do not carry out Quantitative Face Fit Testing.
Do I have to provide Face Fit Testing to my workers?
Yes. If you provide tight fitting Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) – a respirator or mask – to a worker you have the responsibility to ensure the equipment has the potential to adequately seal to the workers face. You cannot just provide a worker with RPE, you must support this with fit testing.
What is tight fitting RPE?
Tight fitting RPE is one which depends on the ability of the equipment to form a seal with the wearers face. This includes disposable masks and full-face equipment. Exceptions to this are, air fed hoods, visors and helmets which do not require a seal to be made.
Do I need to be clean shaven to be fit tested?
For the purposes of the fit test, workers will need to be clean shaven.
The law and guidance surrounding the use of RPE is that there should be no “facial hair” interfering with the face seal. Some moustaches and beards may be okay, however, stubble may be strong enough to hold RPE away from the face and allow particles hazardous to health into the workers breathing zone.
So, for the purposes of the fit test, workers will need to be clean shaven so there is no ambiguity in the results.
What is involved with the test?
The fit tester uses a hood combined with an aerosol of either bitter or sweet testing substance to present a challenge to the face seal. The wearer completes 7 exercises, if there is no detection of the test substance then the test is regarded as passed. Finally, the wearer will be asked to break the seal to demonstrate the performance of the RPE during the test.