Facefit testing

1
Face-fit testing

• Ron Gardner
• HID Offshore Division
• Health and Safety Executive, UK

2
AIMS

• Why fit test?
• What is fit testing?
• When to do it?
• Risk assessment
• Offshore examples

3
RPE as a last resort

• Fails to danger
• Only protects the wearer
• Choice/maintenance
• Comfort/use
• Compatibility with other PPE
• Training/cost

4
Why do you need to fit test?

• Required by
• COSHH 2002 Reg. 7
• CLAW 2002 Reg. 6
• CAW 2002 Reg. 10

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Why do you need to fit test?

• All about Suitability
• Unsuitable RPE will not provide adequate
  protection
• Provision of unsuitable RPE is not in compliance
  with the law

6
Selecting suitable RPE

• Job
• Environment
• Exposure levels
• Wearer
• Fit testing

7
SuitabilityWhat are the problems?

• Incorrect size of face piece
• Insufficient training
• Modifications
• Facial hair/glasses
• Female wearers
• Incorrect/poor
• Poor maintenance

8
Why do you need to fit test ?

• People have different size and shape of face
• Unlikely that one single design size of face
  piece will fit all users within a workforce
• No respirator is 100 leak proofPoor fit is a
  major contributor to reduced protection

9
What is Fit Testing ?

• A means of measuring the goodness of the fit of
  the face piece on the wearer's face
• Fit testing does not guarantee adequacy of fit
• BS42751997

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Aims of fit testing

• To match the face piece to the wearer
• By selecting the right size and model for the
  wearer
• helps to achieve a good fit
• helps to select a comfortable mask
• Leads to enhanced protection hence reduced ill
  health

11
What determines the need for face fit
testing?

• Type of RPE
• Presence of risk
• risk assessment

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Fit Testing - What Types of RPE ?

Tight-fitting face pieces
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Face fit testing and risk assessment (RA)

• RPE is a control measure
• Application of fit testing must be consistent
  with the RA
• E.g. if the RA justifies it fit testing may be
  dispensed with

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Levels of Risk

• Purposely exposing an individual
  (Various levels of risk Two-pack spraying
  asbestos stripping fire fighters welding
  handling low toxicity powers)
• Occasional significant exposure (Fire teams)
• Remote risks (Escape Kit)
• No risk (Comfort use)

15
Alternatives to face fit testing

• You may use alternative
• methods to those in ACOPs to
• comply with the law
• BUT
• To comply you need to demonstrate that they are
  at least as effective.

16
When do I fit test ?

• Initial selection of RPE
• Face piece not tested previously
• RPE is changed
• Facial characteristics changes
• HS policy requires it

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Offshore situations

• Fire teams
• Escape kit

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Fire teams

• RPE depends on tight fit
• Risk high but hopefully infrequent
• Is the RPE a control measure? Yes
• RA - Need face fit or equivalent.

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What face fitting is suitable for fire teams?

• ID HSE 282/28 Fit Testing of RPE Face pieces
• Can use alternative methods to those in ACOPs to
  comply with the law

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Fire brigade experience

• ve pressure equipment needs face fit testing
• Facial smoke streaks
• Loss of air means loss of time protected
• Dual use of kit (e.g. for rescue) can make full
  supply critical

21
Fire brigade experience

• Fit tests on 70 fire-fighters
• - 45 had poor face fits
• - 30 of female fire-fighters were wearing an
  incorrect size of mask

22
Fire brigade procedures

• Developed an alternative procedure to fit testing
• Demonstrated that it worked (HSL carried out
  tests)
• Trained crews in its use
• Use it on every watch
• HSL is doing random testing

23
Offshore fire teams

• Either face fit test
• Or
• Develop an alternative procedure
• Demonstrate it works
• Train teams
• Check/review

24
Escape kit

• RPE some depend on tight fit
• Risk remote for the individual
• (may be higher in some parts of an installation)
• Is the RPE a control measure? No (?)
• (The emphasis is on escape not working in or
  approaching the hazard)
• RA Is face fitting appropriate?

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Escape kit

• Consider loose fitting devices
• If BA is provided but the RA suggests face
  fitting is not required training is essential
  (e.g. at induction)
• Escape procedures
• Donning sets (when and how)

26
Suggestion

• Develop industry standard (though Step Change)
• Highlight
• Fire Teams
• Escape kit

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Information on Fit Testing

• HSG53 Selection, Use and Maintenance of RPE
  (Currently being updated)
• ID HSE 282/28 Fit Testing of RPE Face pieces (On
  the HSE Web site)
• BS 42751997 Guide to implementing an effective
  RPE programme
• COSHH, CLAW, CAW Regulations and ACoPs