Last Updated on March 23, 2023 by max

In the UK, face fit testing has become an essential aspect of workplace safety, particularly in industries where workers are exposed to hazardous substances. Face fit testing is a process that involves assessing the effectiveness of a respirator or mask in protecting the wearer from airborne hazards. In this article, we will explore the importance of face fit testing in the UK and how it helps to ensure the health and safety of workers.

Why is face fit testing important?

In the workplace, employees may be exposed to a range of hazardous substances, including dust, gases, vapours, and fumes. Exposure to these substances can cause serious health problems, such as lung disease, cancer, and other respiratory illnesses. Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) such as respirators and masks can help to prevent exposure to these substances, but they must be properly fitted to be effective.

Face fit testing is important because it ensures that RPE is correctly fitted to an individual’s face, providing a seal that prevents hazardous substances from entering the respiratory system. A properly fitted mask or respirator will help to reduce the risk of respiratory illness and ensure that workers are protected against hazardous substances in the workplace.

Who needs face fit testing?

Employers have a legal obligation to protect their employees from the risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace. Face fit testing is required for workers who use tight-fitting respirators or masks as part of their job. These may include workers in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and healthcare.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends that face fit testing is carried out for all types of tight-fitting respirators, including disposable masks, half masks, and full-face masks. The HSE also recommends that face fit testing should be carried out:

• When a worker first starts using a particular type of respirator
• When a different size or model of respirator is used
• When there are significant changes to facial features, such as weight gain or loss, scarring, or dental work
• At least once a year, to ensure that the respirator continues to provide adequate protection.

How is face fit testing carried out?

Face fit testing should be carried out by a competent person who has been trained to carry out the procedure. The test involves placing a hood over the head and shoulders of the person wearing the respirator. A bitter or sweet-tasting aerosol is then introduced into the hood, which the wearer can taste if the respirator is not correctly fitted.

There are two main types of face fit testing: qualitative testing and quantitative testing. Qualitative testing involves the use of a bitter or sweet-tasting aerosol, which the wearer can taste if the respirator is not correctly fitted. Quantitative testing involves the use of a machine that measures the amount of leakage around the seal of the respirator.

Both types of face fit testing are effective in determining whether a respirator is correctly fitted. However, quantitative testing provides a more accurate measurement of the level of protection provided by the respirator.

What are the benefits of face fit testing?

Face fit testing has a range of benefits, including:

• Ensuring that workers are properly protected from hazardous substances in the workplace
• Reducing the risk of respiratory illness and other health problems associated with exposure to hazardous substances
• Helping to ensure compliance with legal obligations and regulations
• Providing workers with confidence in the effectiveness of their respiratory protective equipment.

Face fit testing also has financial benefits for employers, as it can help to reduce the costs associated with workplace illness and injury. By ensuring that workers are properly protected, employers can reduce the risk of compensation claims and lost productivity due to illness or injury.

Conclusion

In conclusion, face fit testing is an essential aspect of workplace safety in the UK. It helps to ensure that workers are properly protected from hazardous substances in the workplace, reducing the risk of respiratory illness and other health problems. Employers have a legal obligation to protect their employees from exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace, and face fit testing is an important part of meeting this obligation.

Face fit testing should be carried out by a competent person who has been trained to carry out the procedure. It involves the use of either qualitative or quantitative testing to determine whether a respirator or mask is correctly fitted. Face fit testing provides workers with confidence in the effectiveness of their respiratory protective equipment and helps to ensure compliance with legal obligations and regulations.

Published Mar 23, 2023