In addition to our joinery services, we are pleased to
offer our Site Safety Services. In line with our policy to promote Construction
Health & Safety, we are now fully trained and competent to conduct Face Fit
Testing for Filtering Face Pieces and half masks. The testing is carried out to
the standards required in the HSE guidance note HSE OC 282/28, using the
qualitative method of testing. We are working our way towards Fit2Fit
accreditation under the BSIF and HSE.
As well as being able to test our own joiners, operatives and sub-contractors to
fulfil our legal obligations for face fit testing, we are also available to
provide the service, on site, for direct employees of other companies or their
sub-contractors. The Face Fit testing service can be arranged at short notice if
required. We are available for on-site testing in the East Midlands and South
Yorkshire regions – or further afield, with a little more notice.
A Fit Test can be carried out in the initial stages of selecting RPE, where an
untested face piece is already in use or when the wearer has any significant
facial changes (i.e. weight gain or loss, facial hair growth, etc). Fit testing
allows for training covering the selection, use & maintenance of their mask.
When face pieces are issued on an individual basis, it is recommended that they
receive an individual assessment on their own face piece.
At the moment, The Health and Safety Executive only recommend that the Face Fit
Test be carried out once a year, whether there is any ‘significant facial
change’ or not. However, this recommendation is being reviewed by the HSE to
become a requirement in the near future.
Please note that in order for the face fit tests to work, the candidate MUST NOT
eat, drink or smoke for at least 30 minutes before the test is performed. They
must also be clean-shaven as stubble will prevent a good seal and the face fit
test will fail.
We carry an extensive range of RPE with us to each test, to enable correct
selection, based on the individual, the environment and the task undertaken.
Evidence shows that most RPE fails due to the wearer failing to put the mask on
correctly, so expert advice is given on the correct wearing of the RPE, its
selection and care.
It should be noted that once a Face Fit Test Certificate has been issued, it only applies to the make, model and size of the mask tested. If the wearer were to wear another make, size or size of mask - then they should be re-tested to comply with the current legislation.