Face Fit Testing Qualitative Updated May 2021 Programme

Face Fit Testing Qualitative Updated May 2021

Programme 1. Introduction 2. Face Fit testing general 3. Protection Factors 4. Types of Face Fit testing 5. Use of RPE 6. Risk assessment / COSHH assessment 7. Selection Break 8. Supervision, information, instruction & training 9. Qualitative testing requirements 10. Records 11. Maintenance 12. Summary & close

Face Fit testing general What is Face Fit testing? • Face Fit testing is a test of the seal between any tight fitting respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and the facial features of the individual wearing it

Face Fit testing general Why is Face Fit testing necessary? • Since people’s faces come in all shapes and sizes, not one type of RPE will fit all • If the RPE used does not form a tight seal it will severely diminish the effectiveness of the protection provided • HSE guidance OC 282/28 • INDG 479

Face Fit testing general Why is Face Fit testing necessary? Approved codes of practice (ACOP) for: • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 • Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012 • Control of Lead at Work (CLAW) Regulations 2002 If the ACOP is followed then you will be doing enough to comply with the law

Face Fit Testing general Types of tight fitting face pieces • Filtering Face Piece (FFP 1, FFP 2 & FFP 3) • Half Mask • Full Face Mask

Face Fit Testing general Types of tight fitting face pieces Filtering face piece (FFP) Fig. 2 Half mask (tight-fitting) Fig. 3 Full face mask (tight-fitting) ()

Protection Factors Nominal Protection Factor (NPF) • NPF was developed in laboratory tests using a small sample of trained individuals • They may not represent the true protection factor achieved by an individual in the workplace • These values are used more as a reference

Protection Factors Assigned Protection Factor (APF) • The realistic level of respiratory protection that can be achieved by 95% of properly trained workers • APF values are more realistic than NPF values since they were obtained through simulated workplace testing • If available these values should be used (or are required to be used) when selecting respirators

Protection Factors Assigned Protection Factors (APFs) for Filtering Face Pieces (FFP): • FFP 1 • FFP 2 • FFP 3 APF 4 APF 10 APF 20 Please note only FFP 3 respirators are used where required within NHSGGC.

Protection Factors Workplace Protection Factor (WPF) • This study should be conducted on the employees at their workplace • This is the most accurate value that really shows what protection factor is obtained by each employee while working • Should only be derived powered air purifying respirators (PAPR) or supplied air respirator (SAR) devices

Types Of Face Fit Testing Qualitative • Taste – filtering face piece or half mask • Smell – half mask only Quantitative • Laboratory test chamber - filtering face piece, half mask and full mask • Portable fit test devices – filtering face piece, half mask and full mask • Controlled negative pressure devices- filtering face piece, half mask and full mask

Make and Model of Respirator • Only respirators that have been sourced through NHSGGC procurement process may be fit tested • Any make / model of respirator presented that is not listed in NHSGGC Guidance cannot be tested and must be reported to the Health and Safety department using the form below Unauthorised FFP Use 3

Use of RPE can protect against • Solid Particulate • Liquid Particulate • Vapour • Gases

Use of RPE Form Properties Solid Particles Airborne solid Bacteria and particulate, smoke, viruses, fume, dust diesel exhaust, plaster dust, wood dust, Liquid Particles Fine mists, sprays, Paint, cutting aerosols made of fluids, oil mists mall droplets of liquid Vapour Gaseous states of solid or liquid Gases Example Solvent vapour (formaldehyde, xylene) Mercury Vapour Engine exhaust gases, chlorine

Use of RPE Respirators rely on filter materials to remove the hazard this will be different dependant t on the hazard, There are 2 basic filter types • Particle filters • Gas/vapour filters

Use of RPE Respirators can be; • Made of the filter material or • Have separate filters fitted • Use a motor to pass air through filters Remember particle filters do not protect against gas and gas filters do not protect against particulate and neither can be used in an oxygen deficient atmosphere

Risk Assessment / COSHH assessment Must be ‘suitable and sufficient’: Undertaken by someone who is familiar with the task / environment and should include: • assessment of risks to health • steps that need to be taken to ensure adequate control of exposure • all assessments should be reviewed regularly – normally annually or if there is a change in the process or an incident etc.

Safety Data Sheet Information provided on safety data sheets includes: • Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) • Should not exceed WEL for a substance, except: if a substance causes cancer, heritable genetic damage or asthma, reduce exposure to as low as is reasonably practicable

Hierarchy of Control Measures • Eliminate the use of a harmful product or substance and use a safer one. • Use a safer form of the product, e. g. paste rather than powder. • Change the process to emit less of the substance. • Enclose the process so that the product does not escape. • Extract emissions of the substance near the source. • Have as few workers in harm’s way as possible. • Provide RPE such as a respirator. RPE must fit the wearer.

Selection of RPE Factors to consider in selection of RPE include: • Type of substances to which employees are liable to be exposed • Where, and in what form, the substances are • Effects of the substances on the body • May require an estimate of exposure (seek advice from Occupational Hygienist) • APF Assigned Protection Factor given by manufacturer

Selection of RPE Suitable; face piece suits the wearer, task, the environment and the estimated exposure levels Adequate; It is right for the hazard and reduces exposure to a level required to protect the wearer’s health Compatible with other PPE being worn CE marked; meets the minimum legal requirements for its design

Selection of RPE should only be selected and used when: • Inhalation exposure remains once other control measures are in place or there is a residual risk • Whilst other control measures are being implemented • For emergency or temporary failure of other controls • Short term infrequent exposure

Supervision, information, instruction & training The employer must provide employees with information, instruction and training regarding the following: • risk to health created by exposure • when RPE should be worn • how to correctly don RPE provided according to the manufacturer’s instructions • manager should monitor compliance, address breaches, and formally record

Supervision, information, instruction & training The employer must provide employees with information, instruction and training regarding the following: • risk to health created by exposure • when RPE should be worn • how to correctly don RPE provided according to the manufacturer’s instructions

Break Time

Limitations of Qualitative Fit Test • Wearer unable to taste the test solution bitter or sweet • Wearer unsure if they are able to taste the test solution • Wearer not complying with the test instructions during the exercises (exaggerated movements) • Reliance on the wearer being honest as to whether they can taste the solution during the test or not

Requirements of wearer prior to test; • Understands what it involves • Clean shaven • No eating, drinking, vaping or smoking up to 30 mins before test • Wear other head worn PPE as required for work tasks Requirements of person conducting the test; • Communicate all relevant information to wearer • Arrange a suitable room to undertake the test in • Ensure the wearer is medically fit to undertake the test • Ensure the mask is in good condition and CE marked

Fit Test Sensitivity Purpose – to check that the wearer can detect the taste of the solution used. If they can’t, either a different solution or a different method will be required.

Test Kit Manufacturers Video Sensitivity Test \northnet-10wg-health&safetyCommonAcute - Health & SafetyOccupational HygieneFace Fit Testing TrainingTraining VideoFace Fit Testing. mp 4

Conduct Sensitivity Test

Requirements For Fit Test Sensitivity • • Don hood without face mask – visor 4 - 6 inches from face Candidate to breath normally with tongue extended Insert nebuliser and point away from face Squeeze continuously until candidate tastes solution 1 -10 = 10 11 -20 = 20 21 -30 = 30 If no taste after 30 an alternative method is required Drink of water prior to face fit test

Conducting a Fit Test Preparing the wearer: • Explain purpose of test and how it works • Requirements prior to and during the test • Signal if wearer tastes chemical during test at any point • The importance of following manufacturers instructions • The requirement to carry out a visual inspection prior to test • Clean & undamaged • Valves present and in good condition • Check the wearer dons the face piece correctly • Visual inspection of fit and fit check before test begins

Fitting face piece / Recognising a poor fit • Follow manufactures instructions / training provided • Place straps over head and position appropriately • Ensure a tight fit and adjust as required (e. g. at the nose) • Tester should check for any obvious gaps / issues • Visually check a tight seal is provided by the mask

Problems during testing • The wearer should be asked to refrain from talking (apart from during the talking exercise) or otherwise deviating from the test exercises – however maintain communication • If the mask fails at any point during the test the first thing to do would be to check for any obvious gaps / issues • The test should be undertaken again later or the following day and if the mask fails a second time an alternative will be required

Test Kit Manufacturers Video Fit Test \northnet-10wg-health&safetyCommonAcute - Health & SafetyOccupational HygieneFace Fit Testing TrainingTraining VideoFace Fit Testing. mp 4

Conduct Face Fit Test

Fit Test Exercises Purpose – to ensure the seal is not affected by normal body movements / functions and that the mask fits appropriately. There are 7 exercises – all of which should be carried out for 1 minute each. These are; - Normal breathing - Head up & down - Normal breathing - Deep breathing - Head side to side - Talking - Bending Forward and Back

Following the test / results Confirm if the test was either a pass or a fail If the wearer tasted the chemical during any of the exercises this is a fail and the relevant exercise should be recorded If a fail occurs visual checks and any other corrective actions following manufacturers instructions should be undertaken. Record results and complete a debrief

Failed Test Immediately following a failed test the face fit tester must; • Examine the fit of the mask for obvious gaps without the wearer removing the mask • Check the integrity of the mask if no obvious failings • Record the exercise where the fail occurred • Retest including sensitivity test using the same type of mask

Record Keeping Using the form in place records should be kept of: • • Organisation’s details / location etc. including date Wearer and testers details Face piece details make and model Equipment details Additional PPE worn Training required when donning Results of test Previous paper copy records should be kept locally for a minimum of 5 years. Records now stored on e. ESS via Webropol link.

Face Fit Testing Record e-form https: //forms. office. com/Pages/Response. Page. aspx ? id=ve. Dv. EDCgyku. An. LXmd. F 5 Jmg. W 9 Yo. Y 5 w. BDl. HK 7 ghon. YUBUMk 5 WV 04 w. NU 9 HSDIy. Q 0 h. BMEh. L NE 1 WUl. VCMi. Ql. QCN 0 PWcu

Quantitative test (Porta. Count Machine) Should be carried out: • If wearer is unable to taste bitter and subsequently sweet solution • After 2 fails of qualitative test for a particular respirator This is arranged via local management via a booking system on main sites and is carried out by the H&S service. Results are recorded via the e-form.

Decontaminate Equipment Key things to note: • Before a face fit testing session begins the face fit tester must identify a designated cleaning area • The face fit tester must be wearing a clean pair of examination gloves and a FRSM to undertake each of the following procedures

Decontaminate Equipment Hood: • Use green disinfectant Clinell wipes to clean inside and outside of the hood and leave to dry Nebulisers: The plastic elements of the nebuliser to be disinfected by submerging in chlorine based solution e. g. Actichlor Plus (1, 000 ppm, contact time 5 minutes)

Repeating Face Fit Test Face fit testing should be repeated if: The wearer has undergone major dental work • Developed facial imperfections around the seal area (moles or scars for example • Significant weight gain loss • When the employers policy guidance instructs

Summary • Webropol • Ongoing support • Further information: https: //www. nhsggc. org. uk/working-with-us/hr-connect/health -safety/policies-guidance-documents-forms/personalprotective-equipment/

Questions?