RPS Respiratory from HSI

Re-testing
In the US, yearly re-testing is mandatory and in Canada it is mandatory on a bi-yearly basis.
Under present UK legislation, re-testing of personnel is required only when significant changes to the face have occurred (e.g. scaring, moles, extensive dental work, extreme weight loss/gain) or if the size, make or model of the required RPE changes. However, data presented by the HSE3 suggests that re-testing should be performed in the UK more frequently. It is therefore likely that Face Fit Testing will become an increasingly important issue.

Respirator fit testing practices
Findings from a recent national survey of respirator programmes, published by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the US, revealed some worrying issues. The survey questionnaire targeted 40,000 private sector organisations where RPE use was mandatory.

The questionnaire contained 37 questions. A request was made that the person most knowledgeable about the use of RPE within the establishment completed the questionnaire. Of the 37 questions, six applied to both voluntary and mandatory use of RPE. The other 31 questions referred to mandatory RPE use. Three of the

questions related specifically to Face Fit Testing of tight-fitting RPE.
Analysis of the returned data (Brent Doney et al4) concluded, among other things, that:

• Many of the establishments using tight-fitting RPE, where a respirator is required, seemed not to understand Fit Testing requirements or were unfamiliar with the Fit Test terminology used in the questionnaire
• There was significant confusion between a wearer ‘Fit Check’ and a ‘Fit Test’
• Only around 50% of the establishments where tight-fitting RPE is used carried out Fit Testing
• Qualitative tests were used far more often than quantitative tests

The most fundamental issue was that a large number of establishments using tight-fitting RPE did not conduct any Fit Testing. This clearly indicates a need to improve the awareness, understanding and implementation of a respirator programme in general - and Fit Testing in particular.

“the test will assess the fit by determining the degree of face-seal leakage of a test-agent while the RPE user is wearing the facepiece”

A similar survey of over 5,000 Health and Safety representatives was carried out in the UK during 2004. Approximately 90% of the respondents had not previously heard of Face Fit Testing, and of these over 10% remained unconvinced that it either applied to them or was relevant to their activities.

This highlights the concern that Face Fit Testing is not being carried out in accordance with national legislation and European guidance. It also confirms the requirement for a greater awareness of the need for comprehensive Respiratory Protection Programmes in the UK.

Legislation
There are a number of regulations relating to the correct selection, use and maintenance of RPE. Specifically, the Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations require that
“Employers should ensure that the selected facepiece is of the right size and can correctly fit each wearer. For a tight-fitting facepiece (filtering facepieces usually known as disposable masks, half and full-face masks) the initial selection should include Fit Testing to ensure the wearer has the correct device. The test will assess the fit by determining the degree of face-seal leakage of a test-agent while the RPE user is wearing the facepiece under test.”... >