RPE (Respiratory Protective Equipment) should only be selected as a means of
control of the last resort, when other more preferred control measures such as
engineering controls or local extract ventilation (LEV) have been considered and
applied. If control by other means is not reasonably practicable or is not
deemed sufficient on its own to provide adequate control, then additional
protection against exposure via the airborne route may be provided by use of RPE.
Adequate control is deemed to be following the COSHH principles of good control
practice and a level of exposure that is below any relevant Workplace Exposure
Level (WEL) and, for asthmagens, carcinogens and mutagens, as low as is
reasonably practicable. Occupational hygiene monitoring to measure airborne
levels of contaminants may establish if adequate control has been achieved or if
further precautions, such as use of RPE, are required.
This guidance gives advice on fit testing of RPE. It does not cover in any
detail the wider topic of selection of appropriate effective RPE. This is
covered by HSE guidance document HSG53 ‘Respiratory protective equipment at work
– a practical guide’
Note:
There may be circumstances where RPE is used as a matter of personal preference
by the worker but is not required by the risk assessment and in such cases there
will be no need to undertake fit testing.
Legal requirements
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 (as amended)
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM)
Control of Lead at Work (CLAW) Regulations 2002
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR)
Ionising Radiation Regulations (IRR) 1999
The last two regulations require that all reasonable steps be taken to prevent
exposure to substances hazardous to health, or where prevention is not possible,
to adequately control exposure, often to the lowest level that is reasonably
practicable. If, despite the use of more preferred control measures, adequate
control of exposure cannot be achieved, employers must provide suitable Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE), of which RPE is one type. This is required by COSHH
Regulations reg. 7(3)(c), CLAW Regulations reg. 6(3)(i), CAR Regulations reg.
11(4) and IRR Regulations 8(2)(c) and 9. The RPE provided should be adequate
(i.e. right for the hazard, reducing exposure to a safe level) and suitable
(i.e. right for the wearer, task and environment).