Face fit Testing

[robzxr]

Hi all,
One of our employees has raised a query with regards face fit testing, and I'm hoping to get some points of view before we address the query.

essentially, we have employees who work in sewage treatment plants, where some areas smell worse than others and can be rife with flies during the warm weather. The clients have NOT specified specific areas as having a mandatory requirement for RPE, but several of our personnel have chosen to wear face masks ( 3M 9501) to make it easier to work in those areas.

The query now is, does the requirement for face fit testing still apply, when RPE is not required but worn out of an individuals choice?

Thanks in advance for any advice

[WillPool]

Hi Robzxr

Welcome to the forums

Whether the Client recommends it or not, I would risk assess the work and area and see whether RPE or other face masks are required.

Face fitting is a procedure that ensures the mask has a good fit to the face. If you do not conduct the face fit test then the mask may not be offering the protection it should and user's perspective is that they are protected when perhaps they are not and this may open up health issues further down the line.

Requirements for face fitting are outlined in the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 and the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations 1992.

Other things to consider, if it is being used, then there should be training given, records kept of type of RPE, face fit test (person type and date), and fitting should be conducted by a competent person.

Hope this helps

Will

[Brett Day SP]

The RPE you've mentioned is unlikely to cover smells from substances given it is a particulate respirator.

If the flies buzzing around is the greater issue then how about bug nets? Other are available but here's an example: https://www.lifesystems.co.uk/collections/head-nets

[robzxr]

Thank you both for the responses.

I'll go back to the Project Manager and and see if we can review the risk assessment and speak to the client.

Our company does carry out face fit testing, but as the client doesn't require mandatory RPE and our previous PM didn't have RPE in the risk assessment, the guys believed face fit testing wasn't a requirement.... also now in the process of having our site guys face fit tested before they return to site

Thanks again

Rob

[BlatantTruth]

You know, face fit testing is super important, even if your clients don't require it. It's what makes sure those masks your crew wears actually do the job in tough spots like sewage plants.

[WillPool]

Some info here:

https://www.euroenvironmental.co.uk/new ... egislation

Will