Face Fit Testing

If you provide RPE to your employees, then it is essential that you have documentary evidence to show that the RPE fits the wearer. By subjecting each wearer to a face fit test, you can be sure that your organisation is fulfilling the requirements laid out in the Health & Safety Executives (HSE) guidance note HSE 282/28.

Additionally, any major changes such as RPE type, size, model and material, plus any weight changes, substantial dental work, facial changes, facial piercings or new head worn PPE requires a new fit test.

In combination with fit testing, proper training also plays an important role. For instance, mask inspection, correct donning, and performing a seal check significantly enhances achievement of a safe tight fit. A successful fit test only verifies that the appropriate respiratory mask is selected and that

the user knows how to correctly don the mask.

The fit factor achieved from testing indicates how well the selected mask fits/seals at time of test.

• Incorrect donning of the mask

• Facial hair

• Talking, sneezing, laughing and other types of movements

• Mask body and face do not match (e.g. due to wrong size or mask design)

A fit test will measure the fit of the mask during exercises using test agents and/or a machine, whereas the fit check is a quick seal check to ensure that the mask is properly donned prior to every use. A fit check does not replace a fit test.

A qualitative fit test is a pass/fail based on whether the wearer can taste the test substance used. A quantitative fit test delivers more objective results by using an ambient particle counter to measure the leakage of the mask. Both methods are approved so you must choose the method that is appropriate for the wearer and mask being used.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, a fit test should be carried out before the user wears the mask for the first time. In addition, a fit test should be repeated under the following conditions:

■ Whenever there is a change to the mask type, size, model or material

■ Weight gain or loss

■ Substantial dental work

■ Any facial changes (scars, moles, effects of aging etc.) around the face seal area

■ Facial piercings

■ Introduction or change in other headworn PPE, for example goggles.

If your mask is required to seal to your skin, then it needs to be fit tested.