3M Personal Safety Division - Microsoftbtckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site987/2016...

3M Personal Safety Division

© 3M 2016. All Rights Reserved.

Jenn Raymond Senior Marketing Executive3M United Kingdom PLC



What is fit testing?• Fit testing is a means of assessing how well a respirator seals to a face

• It has to be an individual test because one model will never ‘fit all’ and every face is different.

• 2 main methods are used:Qualitative taste test Quantitative test using Portacount



Why fit test?• The law – COSHH 2002 Regulation 7 (9) – states PPE“shall be suitable for purpose”

•To work effectively, and therefore be suitable for purpose, a respirator must provide an adequate seal to thewearer’s face

•The accepted way to know whether or not the wearer has an adequate seal is to carry out a face fit test



– Individual face size & shape– Facial hair– Jewellery - may need to be removed.– Facial markings (e.g. scarring or moles) – Safety or prescription glasses – should

be worn during a fit test.

What affects the face seal?



Types of RPE to be fit testedAll respirators that rely on good contact between the facepiece and the face to provide protection – tight fitting

• Disposables

• Half masks

• Full face masks including Powered and Supplied Air versions



Respirators not requiring testingRespirators that rely on air flow through the headtop and have a loose fit to the face e.g. helmets and hoods – loose fitting



Respirator performance during a fit test• A very high level of

protection is demonstrated during a fit test – particles have to be reduced by a factor of at least 100 during the 7 minute test (disposables & half masks).

• Remember: APF is up to 40.

• It is a tough test!..but necessary.



Fit test methods – Qualitative Taste Test

• The wearer achieves either a pass or a fail.

• The test is stringent and should be taken seriously.

• The test works on the principle of taste.

• A mist is directed into a hood whilst the wearer performs a number of exercises.

• If there is a leak at the face seal the wearer will taste the solution and fail the test.



Fit Test Video

This is available to watch and download from www.3M.co.uk/fittestrespirator



Tips to help establish a fit testing programme1. No eating, drinking or smoking 30 minutes prior to the test

2. Test people individually

3. Keep the room well ventilated

4. Allow 30 minutes per test1. Sensitivity test2. Wipe lips & drink water3. Coaching & explanation of the test4. Fit test

5. Don’t deviate from the test protocol



Frequently Asked QuestionsQ. How often should fit testing be conducted?A. Before wearing a respirator for the first time or if face shape significantly

changes.

Q. Why should I wash my mouth & lips after tasting the solutionsA. This ensures that the taste is completely clear, avoiding false fit test results.

Q. Are the fit test solutions harmful?A. The solutions are mild irritants, as this is necessary for the test to work.

However, they are not known to have any lasting health effects and are widely used in many consumer products. Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are available from 3M.



Fit test methods – Quatitative Taste Test

• May be used for disposablerespirators, half masks andfull-face masks with particle filters.• Uses TSI Portacount.• Facepiece must be probed.• Compares particle countinside and outside facepiece.• Result reported as a fit factor.



Potential fit testing issues• Uncertainty - People who are not used to wearing tight

fitting respirators or under going fit testing may experience some anxiety and stress. They should be reassured that the test is not harmful.

• Sensitivity test residue (QUALITATIVE) – If the subject is unsure whether they have tasted the solution but they are certain the taste they think they may have experienced is milder than the sensitivity test, the tester should continue the fit test.

• Blocked nebuliser (QUALITATIVE) – This is not unusual when using the sweet solution. Unblock the nebuliser using the pin provided or wash in warm water. Ensure that you test the nebuliser for blockages regularly.



Fit test exercises - tips

Try to ensure privacy for the test subject – if their colleagues in theroom they may cause them to laugh which will influence the test. Keep your briefing quite formal to help ensure they perform theexercises correctly and don’t ask questions or laugh. Demonstrate the movements so they appreciate the speed

Ask whether they have any medical conditions which may preventthem performing the exercises

QUALITATIVE: At the end of the fit test ask the subject to break the seal on their respirator before they remove the hood, this will demonstrate its effectiveness & allows the fit tester to check that the fit test solution entered the hood as expected.



What if the wearer fails the test?1. Examine seal before the wearer touches the

respirator.

2. Look all around and try to see the cause of the leak. Identifying the cause can be difficult – ask if they noticed anything prior to the failure.

3. Refit the respirator, correcting any leak seen. Pay particular attention to the nose clip, ensure firm pressure.

4. If they fail for a second time and you are happy there is nothing obviously wrong with the fit or the test, another respirator should be tried.



Fit Test Records• Records should be made of all fit testing and should be kept for at least 5 years

•HSE 282/28 outlines the points to be recorded.

Example record card for 3M Fit Test Kits;



Roles & responsibilities

Employer: Must ensure that employees are fit tested by

competent staff.

Fit Testers: Must ensure fit testing protocol is adhered to and

must posses competencies as listed in HSE 282/28.

Employees: Must wear model of respirator on which they have

passed a fit test.



Who can conduct fit testing?• A competent person• HSE guidance lists 14 points expected



Who can conduct fit testing?



How do you judge competence?From HSE 282/28

Competence can be demonstrated through achieving accreditation under the ‘Fit2Fit RPE Fit Test Providers Accreditation Scheme’. This Scheme has been developed by the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) together with industry stakeholders and is supported by HSE. The scheme is not compulsory and employers are free to take otheraction to comply with the law.One way employers can demonstrate good practice is by ensuring that the fit tester is appropriately accredited, for the type of service they offer, by the Fit2Fit scheme.

www.fit2fit.org



Achieving protectionRemember – a fit test pass only tells us that an adequate fit can be

achieved, not that the wearer will be protectedin the workplace.

Workplace protection depends upon:Accurate and thorough risk assessmentCorrect selectionTrainingWear timeCareful fittingRemaining clean shavenNo changes to face shape and size



Further reading

This an essential document for fit testers. It provides;•Guidance for employers and fit testing service providers•Detail on:

•What RPE should be tested•Who can carry out testing and the competence required•Fit test methods•How to fit test•Fit test exercises•Fit test report and records

HSE Guidance document HSE 282/28

3M Personal Safety Division - Microsoftbtckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site987/2016...

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