Half Mask Respirators. Substances in the atmosphere, dusts, fumes, vapours and gases and also micro-organisms encountered in the work place can cause damage to your health, in some cases even death.

This damage can occur by breathing in these substances.

Health and Safety Legislation requires employers to control exposure to these substances to protect their employees.

The first aim should always be to control the substance, so it is not in the atmosphere. However, this is not always possible and suitable personal protection must be provided.

This may include protective clothing and respirators.

Care is needed to choose the correct type of RPE (Respiratory Protective Equipment).

The RPE must be capable of providing a sufficient quantity of clean air for the wearer to breathe, the equipment must fit the wearer and the wearer must use it properly in accordance with the manufacturer instructions.

Please note that here is always a risk of leakage or contaminated air into RPE, no RPE can offer 100% protection.

Equipment such as face masks with filters and powered respirators, which take in contaminated air from the work room and filter/clean it before it is inhaled are all called Simple Filtering respirators.

Some respirators are designed to be disposable but can offer a great deal of protection. These respirators are called Disposable Filtering Face Pieces.

The following types of filter may be available:

1. For dusts and other particulate materials only

2. For certain gases and vapours only

3. Combination types for particulates and some gases and vapours

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Fit Testing Of Respirators -  Training required

RPE Fit Testing is required for all tight-fitting face pieces including all filtering face pieces (disposable face masks), half masks and full-face masks. This includes negative pressure full-face masks as well as power-assisted full masks, and both self-contained and air-fed breathing apparatus.

Information Document HSE 282/28, recommends that RPE Fit Testing should only be conducted by a trained competent person.

The COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Regulations include a requirement that the initial selection process for all tight-fitting face pieces should include face-fit testing to ensure the wearer has a correctly fitting device. Face-Fit Testing is also required under the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations and the Control of Lead at Work Regulations.

To be competent, the fit test operator should have adequate knowledge and have received adequate instruction and training in the following areas:

·         Regulations and Guidance

·         The Purpose and Applicability of Fit Testing

·         Procedures for Selection of Adequate and

      Suitable RPE

·         Fit Factors and Protection Factors

·         Examination Procedures for RPE,

        Identification of Maintenance Problems

·         Correct Donning Procedures and Pre-Use Fit

      Checks

·         Qualitative and Quantitative Face-Fit

      Testing

·         Sampling from the Face piece

·         Diagnostic Checks on Equipment

·         Correct Fit Testing Procedures, Purpose of

      the Fit Testing Exercises

·         Problem Solving

·         Capabilities and Limitations of the Fit

      Testing Equipment

·         Interpretation of Results

We are happy to advise our customers about how to find an accredited Respirator Face Fit Training course/or competent person to give you the skills and knowledge to meet the requirements of HSE282/28 for Competency of Fit Testing Operators.

E-Components & Chains Ltd has 2 qualified fit testers who will be happy to assist you.