The best time to do Face Fit testing is at the initial selection stage where possible, when individual users can be given a choice of adequate models of RPE. You should ensure that the make, model, type and size of facepiece that they wore when they had their successful fit test is made available for their use. If an employee wears more than one type of tight-fitting facepiece, then each type of facepiece should be fit tested.
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Face Fit Training
We now offer Face Fit training, this is an HSE requirement before Face Fit testing can be under taken. This is a 45 minute course based on 12 people, This includes an introduction to COSHH and its relevance to your work place. A power point presentation on why you need to wear a mask, how to maintain and care for your mask, and fitting and self testing.
What is Face Fit Testing?
Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH), employees who wear tight fitting face pieces (masks to protect them from dusts, solvents etc.) are required to have a face fit test to ensure the face piece/mask matches the employee’s facial features and will provide an adequate seal to protect the wearer. Tight fitting face pieces, dust masks, solvent masks, face masks, RPE and respiratory protective equipment are all terms for the same thing – a mask used to reduce the airborne hazards entering the lungs. A Face fit test is only required for masks with a tight face seal.
Why Face FIt Test?
Every individual has a uniquely shaped face, whereas all masks of the same make and model are identical. Therefore one size clearly cannot fit nor adequately protect every individual. To ensure the mask adequately protects the person a Face Fit Test should be completed.
We use a quantitative fit testing approach using a TSI Portacount. This avoids subjective test differences that can be associated with qualitative testing.
We can help you to manage this by completing our Fit 2 Fit accredited face fit testing for your employees. These can be part of a health surveillance program or a standalone face fit test. It typically includes a questionnaire and a person wearing their own mask and performing a series of tests to establish if the mask fits correctly under the normal stresses of use. One face fit test is required for each different type of mask used. Following the face fit test the employee and the employer will be given a Fitness for Work Certificate stating the outcome as pass or fail.
Where can Face Fit Testing be Carried Out?
As with most of our services, these can be at your workplace or at our Safewell offices in Royal Wootton Bassett. If it’s only a handful of people or individuals then our office works well otherwise it makes sense to arrange the Face Fitting at your workplace.
A Note on Facial Hair
Many masks rely on a good seal against the face so that, when you breathe air in, it is drawn into the filter material where the air is cleaned. If there are any gaps around the edges of the mask, ‘dirty’ air will pass through these gaps and into your lungs. It is therefore very important that you put your mask on correctly and check for a good fit every time.
Facial hair – stubble and beards – make it impossible to get a good seal of the mask to the face.
If you are clean-shaven when wearing tight-fitting masks (i.e. those which rely on a good seal to the face), this will help prevent leakage of contaminated air around the edges of the mask and into your lungs. You will therefore be breathing in clean air, which will help you stay healthy.
If there are good reasons for having a beard (eg for religious reasons), alternative forms of RPE, that do not rely on a tight fit to the face, are available.
At Safewell we strongly advise that all employees are clean shaven to achieve maximum seal of the mask on to the individuals face.
Ultimately a cleanly shaven face is preferable and strongly advised and the employees must be made aware of this ideally at the start of their employment. Should an employee have a beard or stubble on the day of the Face Fit, its either recommended that they go and shave or we will not be able to test. If the employee doesn’t wish to shave, we can advise on potentional RPE alternatives. This will be role dependant.
Employees who are required to wear a face mask on a daily basis or regularly wear one through the week must be clean shaven to maintain a consistent fit.
We have worked with Safewell for many years and are retained clients, so we have developed an excellent working relationship with the team. However, this really came into its own when Covid 19 appeared.
As a Plumbing and Heating business, we were able to carry on working during the lockdown but only for responding to emergencies. We were obviously very concerned about the health and safety of our employees and before we even had chance to get in touch with Safewell, they had emailed us offering their assistance. It is hard to put down on paper how that made us feel - we like everyone else felt totally at sea, which way to turn, what to do? But Safewell were there guiding, supporting and being totally brilliant. Their attention to detail is very impressive and reassuring and we feel able to ask lots of questions without feeling silly.
During the pandemic Safewell helped us to write risk assessments, safety procedures and protocols. They kept in touch regularly, issuing new guidance as soon as it appeared and checking in with us. They held group Q&A sessions over Zoom which were helpful, and knowing other businesses were facing the same challenges and having the opportunity to discuss issues was invaluable. Their help during the preparation for a full return to work was brilliant, they enabled us to be fully prepared and feel in control, and when we had our first case of Covid within the team, because we had planned our response it felt ok.
I think our team felt very reassured by our robust approach and that our office was Covid secure. We are extremely grateful to all the team at Safewell
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