The Health and Safety Executive has published a new Guide on respiratory protective equipment (RPE) fit testing. This guide gives advice on fit testing for the employer and those conducting fit tests.
Following this guidance is not compulsory and you are free to take other actions to comply with the requirements of the law. But if you do follow the guidance you will normally be doing enough to comply with the law. Health and safety inspectors seek to secure compliance with the law and may refer to this guidance as illustration of good practice.
HSE does not approve nor recommend any particular fit testing equipment.
Further advice on the practical aspects of fit testing is provided by the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF); this can be found at www.fit2fit.org.
Fit testing should be conducted by a competent person. Competence can be demonstrated by accreditation under the Fit2Fit RPE Fit Test Providers Accreditation Scheme. This scheme has been developed by the BSIF, together with industry stakeholders, and is supported by HSE. The scheme is not compulsory and employers are free to take other action to comply with the law. Further details on the scheme can be found at www.fit2fit.org.
To download the guidance click on here.
