Face Fit Testing

Why carry out a face fit test?

A well-fitting mask protects workers from breathing in potentially hazardous materials. The challenge is the mask needs to fit properly to be effective!

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 specifiy it is the employers duty to ensure that an employee has an effective face seal with their mask. The Health and Safety Executive expect face fit testing to be carried out.

Faces come in all shapes and sizes and at the moment masks do not so it is important to have face fit tests if these have not been undertaken before or if employees have:

Changed the type of mask they wear
Gained or lost weight significantly
Undergone extensive dental treatment or facial surgery which has left scarring.

Trained testers

Our face fit testers have been trained by accredited trainers.

The fit testing can be undertaken on any tight fitting particulate respirator or gas/vapour respirator fitted with a particulate pre-filter as long as it fits inside the test hood.

The process

The testing can be carried out at your work place and takes about half an hour per person.

What you need to do as an employer

1. Each employee will need to bring the mask/s they wear and other PPE for their head i.e. glasses, ear defenders with them as they will need to wear them during the test as well as the mask.

2. Those taking part in the testing need to be clean shaven or the mask may not create an adequate seal and they will fail the test.

What will we do as the tester?

As part of the process we may conduct a toolbox talk on the dangers of breathing in hazardous materials and the importantance of masks for all those being tested. The test will be explained to each person being tested.

The Test

Face fit testing involves the tester spraying a solution into a hood that the person who is being tested is wearing over their head. A sensitivity test will be conducted first without a mask and then followed up whilst wearing the mask they use whilst working.

During the test they will be asked to do some exercises that may be similar to those actions undertaken during a working day for example bending, turning and walking whilst the solution is sprayed into the hood at intervals to test if the mask seal is working. The test may take up to 30 minutes per person.

Certificates

Test Certificates will be provided for those who pass the test on the day which are valid for a year.

Retesting

Retesting may be able to take place for those who fail on the same day, depending on the circumstances or a revisit may be required. Advice on wearing a different mask with a better fit for those who fail the test may be provided.

Retesting will be required within the year for those who change their mask type, their weight has altered significantly or if they have had facial or dental surgery.

FFP3

It is a legal requirement that anybody who might be required to wear an FFP3 respirator be fit tested in order to check that an adequate seal can be achieved.